Democracy for New Mexico

Right Wing Horror Show: Susana Martinez, Steve Pearce, Jon Barela, Tom Mullins AND Karl Rove

See greedy, anti-working family monsters Steve Pearce, Jon Barela, Susana Martinez, Tom Mullins and Karl Rove mash it up as only teabaggers can. Kinky little buggers. Don't let them trick er treat at your house -- they have only monstrous tricks (and lies) up their sleeves ...

Guest Blog: Early Vote Today for Rep. Ben Ray Luján and Help Us GOTV!

Ben Ray at Pojoaque Boys and Girls Club Halloween Carnival

This is a guest blog by Aaron Trujillo, who serves as Rep. Ben Ray Luján's campaign manager.

TODAY is the last day to vote early in New Mexico, and we need everyone to get out to the polls and make sure that their voice is heard in this election.

This election is too important to wait until the last minute to go to the polls. This election is crucial for anyone who cares about health care, about having clean air and water, about making sure that our kids have great schools and a chance to go to college. We have to get out and make our voices heard.

Find out your early voting location here.

Ben Ray has been standing up for people in New Mexico and has been traveling all over the district to talk to voters. Recently he visited Farmington, Chama, Espanola, Gallup, Taos, Tierra Amarilla, Santa Fe, Las Vegas, Mora, Wagon Mound, Raton, Springer and several other communities.

Ben Ray will be working non-stop over the next few days to reach out to voters and will keep doing so over the next three days. I hope that you will join our campaign in reaching out to your family, friends and neighbors to get them to vote in this important election.

We need every one, in every community, to bring their friends, families, and neighbors to the polls. Every person deserves to have their voice heard, and a chance to shape our democracy.

After you've voted, come out and with the campaign, or donate. Thanks for all your hard work, let's keep the momentum going!

NM-03: Top Six Reasons Republican Tom Mullins is Crazy

By now, everyone has noticed that Tom Mullins, the right-wing Republican who's challenging Democratic Congressman Ben Ray Luján in New Mexico's Third Congressional District, holds positions that are more than a little out of the ordinary. Now, one of Rep. Luján's supporters has put together a document that demonstrates just how off the scales Mullins' positions are.  For your enjoyment, here are the top six reasons Mullins isn’t just dangerous and wrong -- but is actually crazy.

6. Landmines on the border

In case you hadn’t heard, Tom Mullins went on the radio and rambled on about his proposal. Our favorite part -- after being named the second "Worst Person in the World" on MSNBC, he backpeddled saying landmines weren’t his idea. They were someone else’s idea. Some nameless person. Someone named Som Smullins?

5. Frenemy of Native Americans?

Tom Mullins, friend of all the Native Americans, gives three ways for you to connect with your Native American neighbors:

a. Travel to Kewa Pueblo and bemoan the lack of "white faces".

b. Question sovereignty by saying that tribes speak out of two sides of their mouths.

c. Build a time machine to settle a Native American court case after it has been settled with help from your opponent. (See the clip ; starting at 1:45, you can see his Cobell discussion.)

4. Calls Family Farms socialist

Mullins’ Halloween costume: a socialist family farmer. They sneak into your community in the dead of night to practice socialist activities like working the land and paying their taxes!!! You can try to ward them off with garlic, but that doesn’t work -- because they’d just plant it!!! Spoooky.

As the Clovis News Journal reported, the folks don’t seem to be heeding Mullins’ warning. The paper reports they "groaned" as he warned of the impending socialist family farms.

3. Leave New Mexico if you can’t find a job

Tom Mullins has a brilliant plan to rebuild our hard-hit rural communities: move. That’s right -- if you live in Rio Arriba, Tom’s recommendation to strengthen your area is to get outta there. Check out this clip starting at 9:59. He doesn’t understand that New Mexicans hold their land, cultures, and traditions deep in their hearts -- especially in places like Rio Arriba County.

2. Social Security: Ponzi Scheme, Socialist, or a Socialist Ponzi Scheme?

Pop quiz! Is Social Security: a. a Ponzi scheme, b. socialism, or c. a form of socialism.

Answer -- all of the above! In this quiz, everyone wins! And by "wins," I mean "loses." Social Security is one of the greatest achievements of the 20th Century, and Mullins has called it socialism, a Ponzi scheme, a , and says we need to privatize it. Check out this clip starting at 1:51. 

1. Wants to eliminate federal education funding

Who doesn’t love the Constitution? While we all agree that our founding fathers were visionaries -- I gotta be honest, I don’t actually want to live in 1787. And that’s where Tom and I part ways.

Tom wants to give extra tax cuts to the richest in America, while eliminating all federal funding for students’ educations like Pell Grants. Why eliminate all this support? Because the Constitution -- originally written when 18% of the population was enslaved and couldn’t read or go to school -- didn’t prescribe for education directly.

No, in he makes it very clear that you’ll have to make do while billionaires name their yachts Sir Worthington Yorkshire III and sail away to better places ... places where the people can read.

Rep. Ben Ray Luján Guest Blog: Cut Through the Spin, Misconceptions and Half Truths

Rep. Lujan on campaign trail with Sen. Tom Udall

This is a guest blog by Rep. Ben Ray Luján, a Democrat who is running for a second term in New Mexico's Third Congressional District.

Today, we are a week away from Election Day, and we see that now -- more than ever -- we need to get ourselves, our friends and our family to the polls. This election is about a clear choice between the failed policies of the past and getting our country and economy back on track.

On Saturday, the Albuquerque Journal endorsed all Republican candidates for the House of Representatives. I'd like to take the opportunity to address some possible misconceptions that you may have heard.

First, I have worked to cut taxes for small businesses. In fact, there are sixteen different ones enacted over the last two years for small businesses alone. I worked to cut taxes for the middle class with the largest tax cut for working American families in our country's history. I fought for financial reform to make sure that big banks and predatory lenders can't take advantage of New Mexicans. And I fought for fiscal responsibility through the Pay As You Go (PAYGO) statute -- which says that when government spends a dollar somewhere, it should save a dollar somewhere else.

I opposed bailing out the big banks on the backs of the taxpayers. I voted against the re-authorization of the bailout (TARP) and made sure that Wall Street can't make the same reckless mistakes with Americans’ money again.

We are not only up against ideas that drove this country's economy into the ditch; we are up against spin, misconceptions and half truths that are being spread. And that's why it is so important that your voice is heard this election.

Let's build on our momentum, keep our enthusiasm strong, and make sure that everyone gets to the polls. This campaign season, the endorsement that matters the most is yours.

Thank you for your time and for all that you do.

This is a guest blog by Rep. Ben Ray Luján. To submit a piece for consideration as a guest blog, contact me by clicking on the Email Me link at the upper left-hand corner of the page.

Environment New Mexico Endorses Heinrich, Teague, Luján

Today Environment New Mexico, with over 13,000 members and activists, announced its endorsement of Representatives Martin Heinrich (NM-01), Harry Teague (NM-02) and Ben Ray Luján (NM-03) for this November’s election. The organization cited their records on dealing with our energy crisis, ending America’s dependence on oil and curbing global warming pollution. According to the organization, Heinrich, Teague and Luján voted for policies to create more than 11,000 clean energy jobs and cut energy costs by more than $450 per year per household in New Mexico.

“These candidates have been consistent and effective leaders, producing real results that are moving New Mexico toward energy independence, creating clean energy jobs and cracking down on dangerous carbon pollution,” said Sanders Moore, Advocate for Environment New Mexico, in a statement. “New Mexicans are at work today in jobs manufacturing solar energy systems and building wind farms, consumers are saving money and pollution is being reduced because of policies they have helped put in place"
 

Environment New Mexico pointed to the most recent Council of Economic Advisors’ report that shows the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act is responsible for 19,000 jobs in New Mexico to date, including a large number of clean energy jobs.

“While campaign cash from Big Oil and the polluter lobby is drowning our political system, Representatives Heinrich, Teague and Lujan have consistently stood up to powerful interests and fought for our parks, the quality of our air and water and the promise of a clean energy economy,” said Moore.

Environment New Mexico will be mobilizing its members to support these candidates in the November election and to make sure their voice is heard on critical environmental issues facing New Mexico.

10/23: Early Voting and Biscochitos With Ben Ray Lujan in Rio Rancho

Please Join
Congressman Ben Ray Lujan
and the Sandoval County Democratic Party
for a
GET OUT THE VOTE Rally
and Meet and Greet in RIO RANCHO

BISCOCHITOS WITH BEN RAY LUJAN
Saturday, October 23, 1:00 PM-2:30 PM
At the home of Michael and Judi Walker
1005 38th Street SE, Rio Rancho (MAP)

Directions: from 528 and Southern Blvd, go west on Southern to 38th Street, then south to 1005. It's the third house on the right. Directions from Golf Course and Southern: Go east on Southern to 38th Street and turn right.

Folks can then early vote with Congressman Lujan at the Medowlark Senior Center, 4300 Medowlark Lane, Rio Rancho. For more information please contact Chris Garcia or Jason Loera at 505-270-2014.

More than 1,500 Gather for Early Vote Rallies Across Northern New Mexico

Ben Ray speaks to voters in Taos

This weekend, Rep. Ben Ray Lujan (NM-03) traveled across Northern New Mexico, to speak with hundreds of New Mexicans about the importance of voting. Events were hosted in Mora, Las Vegas, El Dorado, Santa Fe, Pojoaque, Espanola, Taos, Wagon Mound, Springer and Raton. Ben Ray was able to speak out about early voting and the issues facing New Mexicans this election.

"When people are threatening to privatize social security, end the Department of Education, stop Pell Grants and privatize VA benefits, the stakes are higher than ever," Ben Ray said. "This election, we can't stay at home and let them take our nation backwards. Let's stand together and send a clear message that seniors and veterans have earned their benefits, and students deserve the opportunity to attend Pre-K and college. We must work together to ensure that investments in our local communities remain strong."

Individual events in towns such as Taos, Pojoaque and Raton garnered hundreds of attendees and even more across the district. Enthusiasm was high and voters were eager to get out and vote. Small business owners, community leaders, educators and seniors came together and spoke about the importance of early voting for Ben Ray.

How, When and Where to Vote Early
Early voting began October 16 and will continue through October 30. For more information regarding early voting sites, please click here. If you would like more information regarding early voting, your local polling place, or any other information related to the election, please click here or contact your local county clerk's office.

10/20: Fundraising Reception for Rep. Ben Ray Lujan in Santa Fe

Linda Siegle and Liz Stefanics
&
Host Committee
Virginia Vigil, Kathy and Brad Holian, Deborah Walker,
Spence Pacheco, Ana Pacheco, Todd McElroy,
Charlotte Roybal, Julianna Koob, Bernie Logue y Perea,
Dolph Barnhouse, Mary Ann Shaening, Donald Stout,
Chuck Higgins, Fred Sandoval, Conci Bokum and Frank Katz
Invite you to a Fundraising Reception
In honor of
Congressman Ben R. Lujan
Wednesday, October 20th, 5:30 pm -7:00 PM
Osteria
Providing light snacks and wine
58 S. Federal Place, Santa Fe
Hosts: $100
Guests: $50 suggested
(all levels of donation gratefully accepted)

RSVP: Sean Marcus (505) 231-2422 or seanbmarcus@gmail.com

Contributions should be made payabel to and can be sent to: People for Ben, P.O. Box 31129, Santa Fe, NM 87594. Credit card donations can be made through www.benrlujan.com.

Guest Blog by Billy Knight: Rep. Ben Ray Luján's Exemplary Leadership

This is a guest blog by Billy Knight, a long-time progressive Democrat and member of the business community who lives in Taos, New Mexico.

I'm writing you today about the exemplary leadership that I have seen in our U.S. Representative Ben Ray Luján in his past two years. He has taken on credit card companies that were taking advantage of the people, worked to make sure that health insurers can't kick people off their coverage when they get sick and voted against the big bank bailout.

He has been a leader on environmental issues, working to get better standards for the air we breathe and the land we live on. He has also worked to get training for people in New Mexico to work in the green energy economy. He has gotten funding for programs here that are hugely important for our community -- like Men Engaged in Nonviolence, which received a grant to keep their program going, or the Taos County Economic Development Corporation, which worked with Ben Ray to get more than $200,000 for their program. He has also spoken out about the low altitude tactical navigation flights, and has worked to extend the comment period, so that we in Taos have a say in the matter.

His membership in the Congressional Progressive Caucus and his tireless work to move the country forward is an exceptional fight to help the people of New Mexico. I'm proud of the work he has done in the past two years because I know he is representing me, and every other Taoseno I know.

Recently I had the pleasure and honor of seeing and speaking with Congressman Luján as we attended the 40th Anniversary Blue-Lake commemoration at Taos Pueblo. His participation in events of this type is additional proof to me that he is a young leader for all the people in his district.

This is a guest blog by Billy Knight. If you'd like to submit a piece for consideration as a guest blog, contact me by clicking on the Email Me link at the upper left-hand corner of the page.

Visit our archives for more post on the NM-03 race and Rep. Ben Ray Luján.

Tonight 10/5: Join Rep. Ben Ray Luján at LWV Los Alamos Candidate Forum 7-9 PM

Join Rep. Ben Ray Luján at a candidate forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Los Alamos to be held tonight, Tuesday, October 5, at the Pajarito Room of Fuller Lodge from 7-9:00 PM. Refreshments will be served at 6:30 PM. The forum will feature local and district candidates. The format will be as follows:

• Introductions and questions for the candidates for Congressional District 3;
• Introductions and questions for the candidates for N.M. House of Representatives District 43;
• Introductions by the unopposed candidates;
• Introductions and questions for the candidates for Magistrate Judge.

9/26: Support Congressman Ben Ray Luján at LWVSFC Candidate Forum

Please join The People for Ben Campaign and The Santa Fe Democratic Party in support of Congressman Ben Ray Luján at the League of Women Voters of Santa Fe County, NAACP and AAUW Candidate Forum. The event takes place on Sunday, September 26, 2010 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at St. Bede's Episcopal Church, 1601 S Saint Francis Dr., Santa Fe.

Please bring your family and friends to support Congressman Ben Ray Lujan. For more information please contact Aaron Trujillo at 505-350-7830.

Incumbent Democratic Congressman Ben Ray Lujan and Republican Tom Mullins will present their platforms and take questions from the audience. For more important election information click here.

Events Tonight and Sunday in Santa Fe With Diane Denish and Rep. Ben Ray Lujan

From the Democratic Party of Santa Fe County (DPSFC):
Join us on Friday, August 27, for A Fiesta for by La Gente, from 5-7:00 PM at The Lodge at Santa Fe, 750 N. St. Francis Dr. Suggested donation is $25.00.

You're invited to a Meet and Greet with Democratic candidate for governor and Congressman Ben Ray Lujan, on Sunday, August 29th, from 3:30-5:30 PM in the La Tienda Exhibit Space. Refreshments will be served.

For more information contact Richard D. Ellenberg, Chair sfdchair@gmail.com; 505 467 8514.