OK - so Albuquerque and New Mexico were the envy of the nation 3 or 4 years ago. Movie and TV production houses were flocking to our area, along with the hundreds of jobs and tens of thousands, if not millions of dollars being pumped into the economy. They were coming here because had an envious incentive program that helped pay the bills - and in the process put people to work, paid rent on vehicles, homes, houses, and bought thousands of meals, lumber and hardware. It was private industry making a buck!
What do we do?
We strangle the baby!
Other states see our success and climb on the band wagon. No wait, they don't climb on the band wagon, they become the producer of the band and take it away!
Now, instead of being #1 or #3, we're #8 and falling fast!
We can't stand success. Or rather our elected leaders don't want to be a part of success.
In this instance, Governor Bill Richardson and many of his ardent supporters (yes including unions) worked hard to get the movie business to recognize New Mexico. And it paid off.
What happens with that successful program? The new sheriff (Susana) comes to town and says, "that was a successful program, but it was started by him, so we need to stop that right now!"
How pitifully small.
Meanwhile, the little people who benefit from the jobs, selling donuts and coffee to the crews, renting vehicles and selling gasoline, renting apartments and houses, selling meals and booze to the Hollywood set go wanting.
Oh New Mexico, will we never learn! Build on success, don't chop off its legs.
It happened with the State Fair, what used to be one of the best in the country is now middle-of-the-road and slipping.
It's just a darn good thing that our flying weather in early October is beneficial to hot-air balloons - or somebody else would take that away, too!
As Ernie Mills, used to say on the radio, "Don't say we didn't tell you".
Wake Up New Mexico!
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