Freedom of -- and from -- religion is perhaps the most precious liberty for citizens of the United States. It is one of our singular contributions to the world, the notion that each human is free to practice his faith without impediment yet also without being able to force those beliefs on another. That is why a recent decision by the Obama administration concerning health plans has many in the faith community furious.
At issue is what form health-insurance plans must take when offered by religious organizations to their employees. Not churches, mind you. These rules would affect the more diverse hospitals, social-service agencies or universities that the Catholic Church, for example, operates. The new rules, issued earlier this year by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, would require all employee health plans to include contraceptive services. That, of course, contradicts Catholic teaching, as well as beliefs of some fundamentalist Christians and Orthodox Jews. B ... Read more >>
Editorial: Priorities matter during session
The economic notion of "opportunity cost" is one with which Gov. Susana Martinez and her team of advisers should become acquainted. State legislators might look into the concept as well. Simply put, opportunity cost is what people give up by choosing ... Read more >>
Editorial: Rapid change a sign of the times
Social media is more powerful than ever. Whether in helping publicize citizen revolutions in the Middle East, in connecting tea-party or Occupy supporters, or just in corralling the power of angry consumers, the past months have been a wonder to beho ... Read more >>
Editorial: Vote yes for schools
This Tuesday, Santa Fe voters will have the opportunity to help children.
This election -- a mill levy to support Santa Fe public school students -- is not about adults, it's about serving children and ensuring they have necessary resources availab ... Read more >>
Editorial: GOP flights of fancy on immigration
For months, Republican presidential hopefuls steadfastly avoided any discussion of immigration, except to rotely demand tougher and stricter border enforcement.
Now we know why: They have no answers. In the weeks leading up to Tuesday's Florida pri ... Read more >>
Editorial: Funding spat bad for women's health
The breast-cancer charity, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation, announced this week that it will stop giving money to Planned Parenthood Centers for such services as manual breast exams, referrals for mammograms and biopsies to check for cance ... Read more >>
Editorial: Get the Cabinet confirmed – or not
Whatever one thinks of Gov. Susana Martinez's Cabinet appointees, the fact is that she deserves -- just as President Barack Obama does -- an up or down vote on any of her choices who require Senate confirmation.
With the session through its halfway ... Read more >>
Letters to the editor
Snowy, icy day too risky for children
Comments: (0)
Reading that the Friday snowstorm resulted in 51 car accidents before 11 a.m., as commuters rushed to school and jobs, makes me question the judgment of Santa Fe Public Schools to hold classes in such conditions. I was in stand-still traffic for more ... Read more>>
My view. Reader Op-eds
U.S. REP. STEVE PEARCE
Concept of conscience protection threatened by federal mandate
STATE SEN. TIM KELLER
State needs long-term economic vision
JOSE ARMAS
Skandera isn't up to job of education head in N.M.
CHRISTINE ANDERSON AND GEORGE WHITESIDES
Lawmakers must pass consent act
HANNA SKANDERA
Passion's there, but legislation is needed, too
ERNEST ATENCIO
Pit rule protects precious water
S. SCOTT OBENSHAIN AND GLORIA BIRKHOLZ
Plans' cost-of-living adjustments create inequities among retirees
THOMAS E. CARR
Doctor is being assumed guilty in fatal auto accident
MARY LOU CAMERON
Proposed public-education retirement plan is solvent
LYDIA PENDLEY
Prevention in education more effective than remediation
ERICA WHEELER
Schools, classes can be vastly different
MARY THOMAS
Close tax loophole, bring revenue to state
JIM HARRINGTON
Some candidates spurn public financing
House Speaker Ben Luján
House Dems name economic priorities
BARBARA GUDWIN
Vote for mill levy; SFPS student needs are great
