By Rebecca Dow

There is a reason the First Amendment to the United States Constitution was adopted to protect our freedom of speech. Our founding fathers ensured every citizen could express their ideas and positions to help guide policymakers in addressing important issues in our state and country. This fundamental right must be preserved to guarantee our representative form of government remains fair and accountable. It's also a privilege that we often take for granted, but this November, we can't afford to take anything for granted.

In New Mexico today, there is a growing reluctance to express opinions on today's dominating issues. Business owners are hesitant to support underdog candidates for fear of retribution, people are forced to suppress their political views to feel safe in the workforce, and politicians with traditional values are labeled a "threat to democracy."

As the polls open this Fall, I encourage everyone to picture what our state would look like with only one acceptable voice, only one domineering political party's viewpoint being able to be considered. Imagine a state legislature controlled by a one-party regime with no one brave enough to oppose the regime's proposals. In other words, what type of government would we have if Progressive Democrat attacks are levied against anyone who simply dares to voice opposition to their dangerous agenda.

If New Mexicans vote to continue allowing progressive censorship of opposing opinions, we will likely face the following consequences:

Without Republican voices expressing the importance our state's oil and natural industry plays in creating economic opportunity, Progressive Democrats' plans to scrap the industry entirely would go unchallenged. This effort has already begun in San Juan County and the Permian Basin with state agencies placing excessive regulation on energy production, and additional red tape to abolish this life blood industry is bound to follow. Eliminating oil and natural gas production is also the goal behind recent mandates telling consumers to purchase electric vehicles (EVs) and requiring auto dealers to sell a certain number of EVs.

But it will get even worse. According to the New Mexico Green New Deal website, Progressive Democrats' desire to "transition" away from oil and natural gas will force more than 100,000 New Mexicans into unemployment or forced to learn a new trade even if they could find a new job. The result will be an immediate loss of at least $4 billion in state revenues each year, schools will close for lack of revenue, and our economy will collapse.

Or consider another likely result with parents being kept in the dark as to what doctors, teachers, and counselors are teaching children. If a child is feeling uncomfortable in their own body, as many of us felt throughout puberty, parents will no longer be informed if an adult outside your home has recommended life altering surgical procedures for the child.

Progressive Democrats have already approved House Bill 7, which stripped parents of information and consent regarding their child, did not even mention the word "parent" once in the bill. Put simply, Progressive Democrats have voted to ensure parents will have absolutely no say in whether a child goes under the knife if they are discussing a sex change with a supposedly trusted adult. Are you willing to find out what they'll do next regarding parental rights?

For the sake of our children, our jobs, our schools, our economy, and our way of life, we must all speak up against bad policy, political bullying, and a progressive agenda that keeps moving further and further away from traditional New Mexican values.

Your voice and your vote matters, please use it.