Blog
A victory for farm workers is a victory for all
Congratulations and gratitude goes out to our friends at the Center on Law and Poverty for representing the workers and winning the case. Our thanks also go out to the injured workers who were courageous enough to bring the lawsuit on behalf of the 10,000 agricultural workers who will now benefit directly from workers’ compensation benefits. It’s a good time to remember that when more of us are protected, all of us benefit from a safer and more just society.
This Christmas, what our children really need
The number of children experiencing homelessness in New Mexico is growing fast. We have 16,260 homeless children—that’s enough kids to fill The Pit, UNM’s basketball arena. These children are often hungry, frequently sick, and always fearful of what each new day may bring. They never know how long they’ll stay in one place and many of them suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or other emotional problems. They live in a world basically invisible to most of us. They have no power and no voice to be heard by the policy-makers who could help.
The economic benefits of health care reform in New Mexico
The new federal dollars flowing to New Mexico health care providers will generate billions more in economic activity, creating tens of thousands of new jobs and raising about $1billion in new state tax revenue—far more than the state’s share of the cost of implementing ACA. The more aggressive the state is in expanding health care to uninsured New Mexicans, the greater the health and economic benefits to the state.
What will they think about what we have done?
Have you ever wondered what our children will think about what we did today when it’s become a part of history? When they’re old enough to understand what’s going on today, whether it’s 15, 20, or 25 years from now, what are they going to think about our today? Right now. Decisions that our leaders make today will affect today’s babies now and when they become the young adults of tomorrow, yet it seems that the only comments ever made about the future are simply political rhetoric.
Celebrating the life and accomplishments of Lenore Wolfe
Lenore Wolfe, a long-time early childhood leader, friend, and advocate, passed away October 7, 2011, at age 95. Lenore was a role model, mentor, and leader for many of us in the early childhood community. She touched many lives and remains with us as an example of how one person can truly make a difference.
We applaud the governor and CYFD for restoring child care funds
It has been gratifying to see the media attention given to the impact that revenue decisions like the reimbursement rate cuts have had on small businesses and families. Yet, we aren’t ready to say “mission accomplished.” Too many of New Mexico’s children do not have the opportunity to access the important high-quality services that are proven to set them on the path to success in school and in life.
The unlevel playing field
I see the “playing field” as a metaphor for life—that is, life as a marathon. If the playing field was level, everyone would begin from the same starting point and would run on the same equally smooth or equally rugged track. Everyone would have to jump the same number of equally high hurdles. You reach the finish line by becoming the best person you can be, as well as an engaged and accepted member of society where you make a positive contribution. In that sense, the finish line isn’t really the end of the race—but a goal to be achieved along the way.
Immigration legislation does not take children into account
Would we all do everything in our power to ensure that our children are safe and lovingly cared for? In theory the answer is yes, but legislation that is being passed across the country is making that nearly impossible. When you encounter all of the rhetoric around the immigration issue, take a moment to think about the children.
Domenici, Daschle and Health Care Reform
Even as he paints a drab picture of the American health care system, Daschle was also optimistic about Americans’ future and what we can all do to address health care costs in this country. He emphasized that the issue is "emotional, very, very difficult and extremely challenging. What we do know is that we can’t afford to fail to fix the problems because at the current rate it is unsustainable.”
When it Comes to Political Rhetoric, Seeing Can be Believing
Politicos on both sides of the aisle make accusations about the “other side” all the time. What’s almost as bad as the ugly partisanship is the fact that they’re making very simple claims about very complex subjects. So it’s refreshing when some group puts down the basic facts in a simple-to-follow format like the charts referred to below, which have lately been making the rounds on the Internet.