Congressional candidate believes in holistic approach

Carol Miller, one of two independent candidates running in the Nov. 4 general election for the 3rd U.S. Congressional District seat, said she believes the issues that face the state transcend partisan politics.

Miller, of Ojo Sarco, is running against Republican Dan East, Democrat Ben Ray Lujan and Independent candidate Ron Simmons.

Miller said she believes in taking a holistic approach to resolve issues facing the state.

Her thoughts on campaign issues:

Water: Miller said communities need to implement water conservation programs. 

She said farmers have to plant crops that aren’t water intensive and communities must consider water use when recruiting or accepting new industries.

She said farmers may need to use dry-land farming to conserve water.

While the Ute Water Project would address the water shortage presently facing eastern New Mexico, she said it would not supply enough water to support future generations.

Economic development: Instead of recruiting industries that can’t be sustained, such as call centers, Miller said communities should build on the resources they have such as solar and wind power.

She said she supports investing federal funding in technology for alternative energy, such as solar and wind energy plants.

She said communities with solar and wind resources should link their economies to the energy industry, such as wind turbine blade and solar panel manufacturers.

She said the government should change obstacles rural communities have to overcome to obtain grants such as Community Development Block Grants and Welfare to Work grants.

She said small, rural communities often cannot raise matching funds for CDBG grants and businesses do not generate enough jobs to meet present standards to qualify for Welfare to Work grants.

Cannon Air Force Base: She said she feels communities should diversify their economies and not depend on military installations.

She said she doubts the economic impact of losing Cannon would be as officials expected.

She said the future of Cannon is not secure because federal appropriations could change and the air base could be listed for closure again.

“I’m not convinced this was a permanent fix for Clovis,” Miller said.

She said the government should focus more on developing alternative energies and investing funds in infrastructure.

Education: One of the first bills she said she plans to repeal is the No Child Left Behind Act. She said the act has caused students to learn standardized tests instead of learning how to think because children learn in different ways.

“I want classrooms to fit the child,” she said.

Miller said she believes higher education should be affordable if not free.

Health care: She said New Mexico taxpayers pay health insurance for every public employee in the state but can’t afford it for themselves.

Calling it the best government-run program, Miller said Medicare should be available to everyone.

Presently, Medicare is available to people 65 years old and older and certain disabled people.

— Compiled by CNJ staff writer Gabe Monte