Columns

The fundamental duty of government — local, state or federal — is to protect the rights and freedoms of its citizens. To protect these rights, governments have an obligation to ensure our communities are safe for us to live, work and raise our families.

Recently, we have heard report after report of violent crimes being committed by offenders who have turned the criminal justice system into a revolving carousel. As chair of the House Judiciary Committee and a practicing attorney, I am alarmed by a common theme connecting many recent tragedies.

It may not be wise, but let’s talk about political correctness.

Actually, it’s politically smart to bring up PC these days. Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, Ben Carson and others have been openly critical of language that seeks to sanitize modern America, and a lot of Republican voters love them for it.

Conservatives see PC all over the place these days, and they’re thrilled when someone takes it on.

For the past several years, as the holidays draw near and the legislative session looms just beyond them, I have written an article outlining the challenges facing New Mexico and trying to map out solutions to them. This year feels different.

I start this word pictures column with a sad note. My family and I send our heartfelt condolences to Art Trujillo and all of the Trujillo family on the death of their brother Severino. There is such a special sadness in all of our hearts when we lose a brother. I know this first hand, and although I knew Sweet Brother Bill was very ill, I will never forget that phone call saying he was finally telling jokes and teasing the angels in heaven. Vaya con Dios says it so well.