As much as I complain about New Mexico, I have to admit I have
been seeing some changes in recent years. Socially, the state is
evolving. Though definitely not without a fight. There's no question
this state will have to be dragged kicking and screaming into modern
times.
There are many things that have to happen for this state to prosper. Possibly even survive. These changes have to occur at the societal level or they will not work at all. However, like many social changes of the past, many must be forced on people. By legislation, by employers, by necessity, by growing imported influences. All of which are happening.
Across the board, the apathy endemic to the culture has to go. It is distinctly unattractive on the personal level and the professional level. If this state wants to prosper, the residents of this state must understand that prosperity must come from somewhere. It doesn't just appear. That means business, customers and investors coming from out of state. Meet those coming from out of state with an attitude of apathy and they will not come back.
The education level and the attitude toward education must improve. While the state government is making efforts in that area, it is being protested at an unbelievable level by teachers, students and parents. Education reform has to happen for this state to be anywhere near being current and competitive in the business market. It must be understood that if business or even government investors are considering sinking money into an area, they scrutinize that area. Even if they think of bringing employees in from elsewhere, they take things into account like whether their employees will be happy with the public education system for their children.
The management system here which is notoriously hierarchic must change and come up to date. Most employers and employees coming from out of state end even local younger people with a better education do not find the old system of management to be acceptable. You may attract retail and fast food businesses but nothing more advanced. And if you want to attract higher level retail, you must have higher level jobs which sustain a customer base. Some businesses have moved out. New businesses coming in are not going to keep the same management methods which have proved ineffective. Meaning they will import new management methods.
The mindset which depends on the federal government has to change. The federal government is making attempts to cut back on size and maximize what they get for their money. When something large needs to be accomplished in this state the knee jerk reaction is to apply for federal funds. This is something which cannot continue. New Mexicans constantly refer to this state as independent. Not so much. It has been noted that over half the residents of this state depend on the federal government in some way. Financially, the numbers are more stark. Probably 60 percent or more of the GDP of New Mexico comes in some way from the federal government. Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, federal grants of various kinds, unemployment, welfare, military, government research, VA, government offices, student loans. Take that money away and this state would have nothing left to speak of. Not enough to survive in any modern standard.
The issue of demanding to be able to speak Spanish on the job or during sports events has to stop. This issue is giving the state a black eye. Not that it matters because those same eyes are so closed they can't see anything. Nobody in business or sports has tried to prevent anyone from speaking a different language off work or away from a sporting event. The issue is that, in most cases, 100 percent of employees or participants speak English while a minority speak only Spanish. It needs to be recognized as divisive, exclusionary and damaging to morale to insist on the right to speak a language which is used by a minority. The politics of this situation deters large investors from even considering this state.
Socially, I realize change is going to come a lot more slowly but it is happening. Rising social standards are being imported and enforced. Manners have actually improved noticeably since I moved here 9 years ago. Social change does happen more rapidly now than in the past, thanks to wider exposure via internet and television. Though the standards within relationships are still mostly more possessive than respectful. The people who reject that convention go to the opposite extreme. Not much balance.
All in all, things are improving. Just a shock at how many things here are so far out of date.
There are many things that have to happen for this state to prosper. Possibly even survive. These changes have to occur at the societal level or they will not work at all. However, like many social changes of the past, many must be forced on people. By legislation, by employers, by necessity, by growing imported influences. All of which are happening.
Across the board, the apathy endemic to the culture has to go. It is distinctly unattractive on the personal level and the professional level. If this state wants to prosper, the residents of this state must understand that prosperity must come from somewhere. It doesn't just appear. That means business, customers and investors coming from out of state. Meet those coming from out of state with an attitude of apathy and they will not come back.
The education level and the attitude toward education must improve. While the state government is making efforts in that area, it is being protested at an unbelievable level by teachers, students and parents. Education reform has to happen for this state to be anywhere near being current and competitive in the business market. It must be understood that if business or even government investors are considering sinking money into an area, they scrutinize that area. Even if they think of bringing employees in from elsewhere, they take things into account like whether their employees will be happy with the public education system for their children.
The management system here which is notoriously hierarchic must change and come up to date. Most employers and employees coming from out of state end even local younger people with a better education do not find the old system of management to be acceptable. You may attract retail and fast food businesses but nothing more advanced. And if you want to attract higher level retail, you must have higher level jobs which sustain a customer base. Some businesses have moved out. New businesses coming in are not going to keep the same management methods which have proved ineffective. Meaning they will import new management methods.
The mindset which depends on the federal government has to change. The federal government is making attempts to cut back on size and maximize what they get for their money. When something large needs to be accomplished in this state the knee jerk reaction is to apply for federal funds. This is something which cannot continue. New Mexicans constantly refer to this state as independent. Not so much. It has been noted that over half the residents of this state depend on the federal government in some way. Financially, the numbers are more stark. Probably 60 percent or more of the GDP of New Mexico comes in some way from the federal government. Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, federal grants of various kinds, unemployment, welfare, military, government research, VA, government offices, student loans. Take that money away and this state would have nothing left to speak of. Not enough to survive in any modern standard.
The issue of demanding to be able to speak Spanish on the job or during sports events has to stop. This issue is giving the state a black eye. Not that it matters because those same eyes are so closed they can't see anything. Nobody in business or sports has tried to prevent anyone from speaking a different language off work or away from a sporting event. The issue is that, in most cases, 100 percent of employees or participants speak English while a minority speak only Spanish. It needs to be recognized as divisive, exclusionary and damaging to morale to insist on the right to speak a language which is used by a minority. The politics of this situation deters large investors from even considering this state.
Socially, I realize change is going to come a lot more slowly but it is happening. Rising social standards are being imported and enforced. Manners have actually improved noticeably since I moved here 9 years ago. Social change does happen more rapidly now than in the past, thanks to wider exposure via internet and television. Though the standards within relationships are still mostly more possessive than respectful. The people who reject that convention go to the opposite extreme. Not much balance.
All in all, things are improving. Just a shock at how many things here are so far out of date.
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