(excerpt from article on February FRWLC speakers, written for the Ruidoso News)
By Genevieve Duncan, Special to the Ruidoso News


Earl Greer, candidate for the 2nd Congressional District, urged voters to examine carefully the character and past records of the individual candidates, because they all espouse conservative positions, including low taxes. His stated reason for scrutinizing the principles that drive each candidate was that a voting record doesn’t reflect everything they do, how they conduct themselves or what deals they cut for a vote.

He pointed out that the further their duties take them from their constituency, the more difficult it is to monitor their actions. Voters see their city and county officials frequently, but when legislators go to Santa Fe or Washington, they are less accessible.

A Realtor in Truth or Consequences, Greer shared the factors that molded his character. Coming from a farming and ranching family, whose New Mexico roots date back to the 1500s, he told of his early introduction to what was required to be successful. At 7, he took out his first bank loan to buy chickens so he could sell eggs. His parents showed him how to budget, using envelopes for eachcategory. By age 9, he had saved enough to open a checking account and buy a 4-H Club calf. His mother insisted that he balance each statement to the penny. That introduced him to the importance of a balanced budget, he said.

At high school graduation, through the sale of a calf each of the nine intervening years, he had saved enough money to pay for his college education.

Greer delineated the three principles that drive him as love of God, love of his family - the family unit - and love of country. Three qualities he pledged to bring to Washington are conservatism, statesmanship and leadership.