Greece of the Caribbean-Puerto Rico

[mym]

the island has economic problems. there are no jobs. the government set up programs to assist people without jobs. you blame the people for being unemployed and relying on programs set up to help them when in need. yeah makes sense.


ok so maybe you are mad because the island receives benefits yet doesn't pay federal taxes. The reason PR doesn't pay taxes is because the US will not allow it to. Otherwise that would make the US a hypocrite - remember no taxation without representation - the English were pushing taxes onto the colonies and the colonies had no representation in the government levying those taxes. this lead to revolution. it's also a crappy colonialist thing to do - force your subjects to pay up whatever you want, it even smacks of monarchism really - again tenets the US democracy was wholeheartedly against.

my i respectfully suggest you take your honor system and revisit it because i believe it is unamerican sir!

and not wanting women and infants to have WIC? that aint honor boricua tampoco.

[Hellion1999]

Originally Posted by Norwood Boy

Things are going great. I wish you the best respectfully. We have a different philosophical thinking into the HONOR system.

I never said things were "great"....mod edit If you want perfection you might have to wait for the after life. Life in Puerto Rico since Columbus discovered it was NEVER "great" by your standards and definition.

I put things under perspective. Puerto Rico is doing a lot better than any Latin Republic by the numbers and data. P.R. can't get to the level of the states as a territory. Its limited economical and on political power on the federal level.

Edit
You look at the glass half empty and I look at the glass half full...........if you know your Puerto Rican history its more like half full since P.R. NEVER had a full glass to start with.


But when Puerto Rico gets to 40% and 96% inflation rate like Argentina and Venezuela with their socialist engineering then things are really bad for everyone until then, everybody calm down.

[chacho_keva]

Well, Lord willing, I'll be in the island tomorrow evening.

Let's see what all this fuss is about in . . . Puerto Rico!

[chacho_keva]

"Ya fui. Ya vi. Ya vini."

The saying goes something like that. But surely, most English/Spanish bilingual readers will get my drift.

Well, after 7 sweltering (and I mean F-ing sweltering) late August days on the island, I come home with mixed emotions about the state of the so-called "Greece of the Caribbean."



First, The Cons, from my perspective:

• Trash is still an eye-sore and worsening problem everywhere on the island. Most people seem to accept it as normal
• Some residents are lining up to leave the island as soon as their turn arrives
• The cost of living continues to escalate
• The flight of skilled workers has resulted in an increased delay of services, both in gov't and private sectors

The Pros:

• There still remain a core of professionals/skilled people who opt to stay put in the island because they can, and because they love and are devoted to their homeland; some even donating their services free of charge at times
• Among some who've stayed behind, there seems to be an air of collective responsibility in response to the fiscal debt
• The beaches are still nice
• The recent rains have curtailed the drought
• Many do sincerely believe that This too shall pass . . . and it will!

Others will see a different picture. This is the one I see.

No matter how bad, indifferent or good things are, there's something special about returning to one's homeland, hugging and talking to people we know and love, sharing a beer and conversation with a total stranger who sounds exactly like us, running into an old acquaintance who's marveled and impressed that you remember him despite the years, etc.

Although things have changed, this is where I am from, and I will always love my little island, be things bad, indifferent or good.

So, when will you visit our lovely Puerto Rico?