I began to investigate this topic when trying to determine what New Mexicans would say if asked what is “quality of life” in their own understanding.  Then I began to understand that any person’s quality of life is a private issue, and not something government provides.  Instead, it is each person’s right to determine their own quality of life.  At this point, I began to understand what government’s role is in each citizen’s quality of life.

 

The preamble to the US Constitution states the government’s purpose in quality of life for the citizens.  That purpose is to “establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity.”  Likewise, Section 4 of Article II of the New Mexico Constitution states the inherent rights of New Mexicans: “All persons are born equally free, and have certain natural, inherent and inalienable rights, among which are the rights of enjoying and defending life and liberty, of acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and of seeking and obtaining safety and happiness,  

 

I often wonder if career politicians remember that government’s powers are authorized by the people.  Our constitutions make it very clear that government is limited to only the powers granted by the people; many politicians today seem to believe that government authorizes the rights of the people, a totally wrong concept of the role of government.  Our current situation has seen our governor indignantly restrict our liberty for reasons that the people never authorized in the either the U.S. Constitution or the New Mexico Constitution.  As a result, the government has essentially taken away jobs and businesses from the people.  This act, coupled with the tax increases enacted over the last two years, has drastically impacted the quality of life and the livelihoods of New Mexicans.  I am opposed to these actions taken by our government.

 

Quality of life is not something the government can give to its citizens.  Much to the dismay of some politicians, government does not dispense happiness and quality of life.  Many people feel that quality of life is only achieved when a person has a secure job, the means to provide for family, the freedom to go fishing or hunting, the means to attend a ball game, the freedom to worship God as you believe he has lead, the ability to save up to buy a home or car, or visit a truly magnificent place that restores body and soul, the witnessing of children growing and accomplishing, the cries of a newborn child in the family; these are what define the pursuit of happiness and quality of life.  No government has the right to take our jobs, our livelihoods, our freedom, for any reason.

 

Government’s role is to provide for public safety, protect citizens that are enabled to protect and defend their lives and property, provide for equal freedom, equal application of law and the rule of law.  Government provides for its citizens to enjoy and defend their life and liberty.  Government is to protect the people’s right to acquire and protect property, establish business necessary or desirable for the support of families, and the general economic and financial stability for establishments that provide jobs for the people in their pursuit and fulfillment of happiness and well-being.  Government is authorized by the people to develop and enforce statutes and laws that provide for defense of liberty and maintain order in society. Government provides for enforcement of the people’s laws to defer harmful or criminal activity and establish punishment equal to the crime.  Government has its place under the rule of law, limited by the authorization given by the people.  Government provides stability for the lives and pursuit of prosperity of the people, education of their children, promotion of opportunity for commerce among the people, all for protection of the people’s right to pursue happiness.

 

Government does not grant rights to the people nor does it replace the people’s responsibility for defending life and liberty, but it does promote the general welfare of the people.  Government is ordained by the people to serve the people.  These principles established by the New Mexico Constitution are in subjection only to the liberties guaranteed by the federal Constitution.

 

Faithful observance of the constitutional provisions for government fall to those elected for service in the government.  We do not elect our leaders, we elect our servants.  Our servants’ duty is to operate our government to promote and protect the quality of life of its citizens. 

My promise is to restore government limited to the purposes authorized by the Constitution.  I will never support attempts by others to diminish or take away the people’s liberty, and will view all proposed legislation to ensure that the rights of the people are protected.