Category: Commentaries

Walt Rubel Commentary: State makes noble effort to improve child care

1/13/2026

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has chosen a worthy goal for her final legislative session in office: making New Mexico the first state in the nation to offer free child care to every family.

Our nation has never really adjusted to the shift from the traditional parenting model that I grew up with, where one parent, usually the father, was able to earn enough money to allow the other to stay home and care for the children.

Walt Rubel Commentary: Making room in my home for Godzilla

1/6/2026

I don’t do New Year’s resolutions, but I decided last week to follow up on something I’ve been talking about for months - adopting a dog.

And so, I went to the Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley to pick one out. I’ve adopted cats from the shelter before, but I wasn’t quite prepared for the assault on the senses that choosing a dog turned out to be.

Walt Rubel Commentary: Love for antiquated media leads me to Que Tal

12/30/2025

New years don’t always bring new opportunities, but mine did last year.

It was at about this time last year that I decided I had sulked for long enough after being laid off by the Sun-News, and needed to find something productive to do with my time. And so, I applied to be the general manager at KTAL-LP 101.5 FM Las Cruces Community Radio; or, Que Tal, as we call it.

Walt Rubel Commentary: 3 most common words at Legislature: maybe next year

12/23/2025

Thirty days will not be enough time to complete the new college football playoffs, which started Friday with Alabama beating Oklahoma and will end with the championship game on Jan 19.

Nor will it be enough time for the New Mexico Legislature to address all of the vexing issues that states throughout the nation are now grappling with as a result of burden shifting from the federal government. But unfortunately, that’s all the time they get.

Walt Rubel Commentary: One year later, the worst may be behind us

12/16/2025

I can’t remember a year that started with more trepidation than this one.

Donald Trump had not taken the oath of office yet, but he had already made it clear that all of the guardrails that had hemmed him in during his first term would be removed. Gen. Milley was out. Pete Hegseth was in.

Walt Rubel Commentary: A lot not to like on both sides of health debate

12/9/2025

The big fight in next year’s legislative session is shaping up to be a battle between an unlikeable force and a detestable object.

One one side we have greedy, soulless corporate health care executives. On the other side we have greedy, soulless trial lawyers. Let the low blows begin.

Walt Rubel Commentary: Legislature’s social calendar gets in the way

12/2/2025

Like all 30-day sessions, next year’s is going to be a busy one for the New Mexico Legislature, starting with the opening day, Jan. 20, when the Democratic Party will host an invitation-only dinner at the La Fonda Hotel.

Jan. 21 is Eastern New Mexico University Day. Jan 22 is Elevate the Spectrum; Autism Day. There are no social events on Jan. 23, as lawmakers traditionally take off the first Friday of each session to allow staff time to print and copy bills.

Walt Rubel Commentary: Loss of penny first step toward no-cash economy

11/25/2025

I still like money. Most people don’t.

According to WalletHub, only 14 percent of purchases in the United States now involve cash. Credit card usage is up 94 percent since 2016.

It’s not hard to understand why. It’s easier to keep track of one card than a fist full of bills. If you lose a credit card, you can simply make a phone call and keep all of your money. And, the transactions are much faster and easier. I fear it won’t be long before cashiers are experts on card readers but won’t be able to make change.

Walt Rubel Commentary: War in Venezuela won’t solve our drug problem

11/18/2025

When did drug dealers become “narco-terrorists?”

The word “terrorist” is typically used to describe religious or political fanatics who kill or injure innocent people, often in horrific ways, in an attempt to instill a sense of terror in the public. Their motive is to destabilize their enemies. And, their victims, such as the 2,977 employees who showed up for work at the Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001, did absolutely nothing to contribute to their deaths.

Walt Rubel Commentary: Leaders are exploiting the politics of hunger

11/11/2025

Poor kids don’t get candy.

That’s pretty much the gist of Republican arguments defending the loss of food assistance payments.

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