Letters to the editor

Concerned about Medicaid, education and ICE

I am concerned, more and more each day, and I think you might be too. I am concerned about:

Medicaid cuts that will hurt the only hospital that serves several counties; Socorro General Hospital.

The lowering of environmental impact evaluations and regulations on public lands. That will open public lands for increased extraction providing short term gains for a few at the loss of local economic gains through hunting and recreation, and at the loss of the character of these lands for future generations.

A Health and Human Services department that exchanges knowledgeable physicians and scientists who give us guidance about vaccines, like measles, and covered screenings for prevention, like mammograms and colonoscopies with lesser qualified people. As a public health nurse with 40 years experience I know how many lives are saved by this guidance!

The shoddy treatment and bullying of our longtime friends and neighbors, Mexico and Canada, and our allies around the world.

The growing disparity between rich and poor, and taking away the safety nets of SNAP and Medicaid.

Defunding our public schools.

The use of coercion to muzzle free speech and mandate compliance with a single, narrow belief system.

Attacks on science and research coupled with the promotion of false and misleading information.

How farm subsidies are going to the largest producers of, largely, commodity crops, and don’t flow to small and medium sized family farms and ranches. How can they survive?

How climate change is being disregarded and our watchdogs, like NOAA, and first responders, like Forest Service fire fighters, and emergency response teams, like FEMA, are being cut.

The dismantling of EPA regulations that will negatively impact health, especially the health of our most vulnerable - children and elders.

Masked men in civilian clothes seizing people, even children and citizens, with no access to due process - an individual right- and shipping many off to barbarous facilities in foreign lands or inadequate private lock-ups within our own borders.

The damage those seizures do to families and communities and the fear they generate among any who look or speak “different.”

Profiling. Trump’s border czar, told Fox News that “They (ICE agents) don’t need probable cause to walk up to somebody, briefly detain them, and question them, based on “their location, their occupation, their physical appearance.”

How the repeal of the “roadless” rule on Forest Service land will hurt wildlife.

And I’m concerned about so much more, including how personal grievance and whimsy seems to influence decisions that impact me; that impact all of us.

Are you concerned too?

Sandra Noll

Socorro

Why are there so many dogs in Walmart?

The first time that I met you, Jessica, I could tell by your love of writing and journalism, you are one of a kind. You took an ordinary paper and turned it into a fantastic paper full of information. I can tell everything you write has been researched thoroughly and all the articles are true. You cover all kinds of stories. The El Defensor is special to me, since I love writing too, I wrote for this paper for two years. Thank you for the fantastic job that you are doing, Jessica Carranza, Editor!

The problem with the 25 dogs happened on 7/29/2025. I went into Walmart to get my prescription and there were 25 owners of non-service dogs. They were hugging and kissing them. I counted 25 dogs. I believe if they want to be with their dogs that bad, they should stay home with them and have Walmart do a free delivery service for their groceries and medicine, that would be perfect for them.

I have done allergy testing that proves that I am deadly allergic to dogs. When they come in, I feel as if someone has their hands around my throat choking me.

They need to change their policy immediately. I think that Walmart should check for dogs to make sure they are service dogs that have their papers. They should have more compassion for me, so that if I go in there, I won’t die.

I will be writing to Kathryn McLay, the Associate President, and CEO of Walmart International.

Thanking you, I remain sincerely yours,

Velma Wolf

Socorro