Russell Allen
While Democrats talk about providing Band Aid solutions that take Las Cruces and El Paso taxpayer money to provide transportation to rural Doña Ana County, Republicans want to give you the keys of opportunity.
I recently attended a Democratic candidate’s forum in the south valley hosted by the Anthony Chamber of Commerce. Fortunately there was time for a question-and-answer period where a woman, in Spanish, asked the candidates what they would do to provide public transportation for her.
Each candidate responded by telling her that they would work with both the cities of Las Cruces and El Paso to provide public transportation services to those areas that were in need. This solution sounds easy enough, plausible right? Ask an existing government entity to do more for the citizens of rural Doña Ana County.
There is one significant problem with this Band Aid solution — not enough money.
If you give us a chance
If the funds were there and if it were a priority for the existing legislative and county representatives, transportation would already be provided in the south valley. In a Democrat perfect world, the government will provide transportation at a bus stop that might only come two or three times a day, controlling how often and where you can travel.
Republicans, however, if you give us the chance, would provide a dynamic economic climate where small and large businesses alike will set up shop in and throughout the south valley and New Mexico. This climate will usher in a period of prosperity because business will be able to expand, hiring and providing more jobs for our family, friends and neighbors; it would also be the time for some of us to pursue our own small-business ventures.
If our fellow citizens who are able to work had more choices for a better source of income, they would be able to purchase their very own vehicles, drive their vehicles wherever they want and as often as they want.
Choose wisely
While Democrats talk about providing Band Aid solutions that take Las Cruces and El Paso taxpayer money to provide transportation to rural Doña Ana County, Republicans want to give you the keys of opportunity and, yes, maybe your very own transportation by providing better employment opportunities for all!
We all know someone who is hurting from the bad economy, underemployment or unemployment that has been caused by the very same Democratic leaders who time and time again support an anti-opportunity environment with higher taxes, more regulations and more government control over your life. Our families, our neighbors, OUR New Mexico deserves better.
Do you want to continue to wait at the bus stop, or do you want to jump in your very own vehicle? The choice is yours. I recommend you choose wisely.
Russell Allen is chairman of the Doña Ana County Republican Party and a candidate for the District 35 seat in the N.M. Senate.