Now is the time for those New Year's resolutions. Mine will be toward ousting Democrat members of the state's congressional delegation. As a registered Libertarian, I will work tirelessly with their opponents; write to every available publication; and speak without regard of number or setting to ensure that their ilk foists no additional harm upon this great country.

Their dereliction is beyond description, and their competence is questionable on any and every subject. Their collective actions are treasonous and to be treated accordingly. The truth-twisting, chicanery and coercion by the Democratic Party cast a stain upon our nation's integrity and system of government. I will join with the many across this nation who wish to expose the truth regarding the "Gang of 60." I relish the coming engagement. Have a great 2010.

Slide to oligarchy

Kevin Hall's article ("Taxes on politicians' minds — but not lips," Dec. 26) claims that Democrats are afraid to let the Bush tax cuts for the rich expire, and to be called "tax hikers." If that is really the case, the nation is doomed to a vicious oligarchy.

According to American scholar Juan Cole, those tax cuts gave the oligarchs more money than they knew what to do with, and so they played loose with novel financial instruments that brought the economy down.

Oligarchy, all too common in developing nations, is intrinsically corrupting, the wealth of the oligarchs becoming devoted to self-indulgence in luxury and power, including war profiteering and right-wing propaganda, at the expense of the people and the nation. Oligarchy has already subverted U.S. constitutional, representative democracy, and may yet finish it off, so that the people pay for all, while the oligarchs are subsidized in their self-aggrandizement.
Is salt safe?

The Dec. 25 front-page article, "Excavated salt finds new home in Texas," was written in a way that makes me wonder whether the salt from the Waste Isolation Pilot Project site that sold for use in cattle feed is contaminated by its proximity to the burial sites for plutonium waste.

I think more clarity is called for by a follow-up article assuring milk and meat consumers that the salt is safe from radioactivity — and that such news accounts will be carefully edited in the future to avoid the confusion that I experienced.

Not same thing

Regarding "Challenging new era for Las Campanas" (Dec. 27): What a misleading article! The reporter failed dismally, I think, in differentiating between The Club at Las Campanas and the community of Las Campanas.

It is probably true that the club has serious problems with lack of membership, both current and potential, but the community is completely solvent, well-run and a beautiful place to live.

As a resident, I appreciate being able to drive on newly cleared roads the morning after a snowstorm, courtesy of our maintenance staff, and have them later blow away the grit they spread to make the roads safer. The city and county cannot hold a candle to these guys.

I also enjoy the way they take care of the vegetation and landscaping and the many other services we receive as residents. The community of Las Campanas is alive and well. The club is a separate issue entirely.
Shots are scarce

Your Dec. 26 article on H1N1 flu vaccine quotes New Mexico Department of Health spokeswoman Deborah Busemeyer as saying there is no shortage of vaccine. Not so! It appears she is trying to make herself or her department look good.

Earlier this week, I called the Santa Fe County Health Department and was told that my age group (even though I have asthma) was not yet eligible. An advertisement in your newspaper stated that an urgent care center would give free shots last Saturday, but at 11 a.m. a sign on the door read "no vaccine."

If you are interested in serving the public, you will print a list of places where the vaccine is available to all.

Have a safe holiday

I would like to extend a heartfelt "thank you" to those governmental agencies and businesses that have taken steps to remind their employees to be responsible and proactive by designating a nondrinking driver or making arrangements to stay at party locations when attending holiday functions. Drunken driving is a community problem, and taking the above steps demonstrates individual and community commitment to reduce the tragedies associated with driving while intoxicated in Santa Fe.

Being a designated driver or using ours (the Santa Fe County DWI CADDy Program, 995-9528) could be the most valuable gift one could give this year.