That was honestly one of my favorite posts of all time. White sea ape made it so I can never get that time back again.
Good post, DonQ, and based on my long relationship with the island, I agree. Just heard today that there is a Republican congressional team trying to create an avenue for PR to escape its debt, but it does not allow bankruptcy allowance. Many PR citizens are crying "Colonialism!!" on that effort. I guess it doesn't meet with the PR governments approval; I have not yet read the plan, so personally I cannot comment on it. Suffice it to say, at least Congress is looking to help them out. With our naval and Air Force bases closing (Rosie Roads and Ramey AFB), Congress sees no military use for it (we now have ICBMs, etc), so it hasn't been a priority to help them. As for surfing destination- still my personal favorite, but it is my bias, as it was my "old stomping grounds" as a kid. HAve a great Easter!
Too great of a place to let drown like that. Too many connections / ties. I believe last time they had a majority vote to become a state, whatever happened with that?
Not the he's my man but Bernie Sanders is the only candidate the has spoken up for PR. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/adrian-brito/bernie-sanders-represents-puerto-rico_b_9464518.html
Why there won't be PR statehood in your lifetime: -- Only 45% of the PR folks supported statehood in a recent election. -- Nobody from up north, including Obama, is pushing the idea. -- The 'Ricans who want to be part & parcel of the USA have already come to the USA. It's true: there are 4.6 mln people of PR origin in the USA, and 3.7 mln PR's still on the island. Do the math. -- USA Congress isn't interested in taking on what they view as a floating, massive, debt problem. Not in the slightest.
that's what they called a placebo or a non binding vote there were three options 1- statehood 2- independence 3- stay with current commonwealth status if I am not mistaken the majority voted to be a state but it was nonbinding so I really don't know why they even bothered to vote on it ???? o barry
Pretty sure Carter was in the last year of his term when this subject was on the table...in other words, you could bet your a$$ that it wasn't gonna happen. Remember when Carter was considered "Worst President Ever"? The last 2 nitwits make Carter look like George Washington fer cryin' out loud.
Actually, on taking on the economy, that might not be entirely correct. Two reasons: 1) Given the numbers you state above, the 4.6 million, they are a large voting block, and they can vote in Presidential elections on the mainland. There is, as one can infer from your post, a large portion that have, but still are moving to the continental USA (PR has always seen itself as "non-continental USA"). 2) Under guidance by Sec of Treasury Lew, a taxation trick favoring companies to remain in PR was pulled off, under the main medias radar screen, where companies do not pay taxes there, but the USA reimburse the PR government for the taxes not paid by those companies. It was a weird one, supported by the Administration but kept quiet. I cannot recall the exact way the tax shuffle was done, but this happened somewhere around Fall, 2014. The money was supposed to go towards reducing the debt. That tax manipulation is still in effect today. The PR question will remain a concern for those interested in investing in PR government bonds; they pay a very high rate as the risk is high. Maybe that is exactly what Congress wants, under pressure from Wall Street? Interesting story. Personally, as I have mentioned before, PR has plenty of brain power to be independent. It may be time for them to do so, although it will be rough sailing at first, I am sure.
"Remember when Carter was considered "Worst President Ever"? The last 2 nitwits make Carter look like George Washington fer cryin' out loud". All three are clowns We the people and Carter got lucky that at the time the country was smart enough not to relect him
Yes, yes, your right! And you don't need a visa to get in! But don't ever take it for granted. We are fortunate to be tied to " la isla de encanta"
Ricans may have the brain power but they don't have the willpower; not only that the political will to take short-term pain for long-term gain just isn't there; and hey just happen to be, documented by numerous sources, the most corrupt island-state in the Caribbean. Those people ain't got a chance in hell.
As long as PR residents are on US Welfare (a lot are), you are probably right. However, don't underestimate the PR nationalist fervor--it exists and is strong, even within the Statehood Party (republicans) Given the right candidate, who knows what residents can be convinced to do? As for the corruption, yup, that has always been there, but not anymore than other islands. In fact, with the drug interdiction strongly exercised in USA, drugs are being channeled from South America through PR to the USA. Recently, the FBI busted 90 police officers for being "dirty". Ninety, not nine, nor 29, 90 in one swoop, many higher up rankings included. What is clear, something has to change. Status quo is not beneficial to the island and its residents. That in itself may prompt residents to "take short-term pain for long-term gain". Interesting to see how it develops over the next few years. In the meantime, PR will remain my favorite spot for a surfing vacation--warm waters, nice waves, easy to fly to, and it's my old stomping grounds, etc. What could be better??
Gringo should've never burned him and an apology probably would've worked better than talking ****. Lesson learned
The "dead Rincón" you speak of is mostly the gringo sector from Ensenada through Puntas. The native sector is much more lively during the summer just as it is during winter maybe even more so. Not withstanding the current and coming economic tsunami challenges. Probably not much need for a "sports bar" as every colmado is a sports bar of sorts. Besides, every town has summer pro basketball and AA baseball leagues going full bore... what exactly is there at a sports bar to watch during the summer season, lol? Now for another trago!!!
The repeal of Section 936 of the Federal Tax Code in the mid-1990s was the beginning of the long recession. The USA financial collapse around 2007 was the nail in the coffin that accelerated the economic implosion. This was compounded by the semi-privatization of several entities that were extended bond writing terms too good to be true. The opening of Cuba will be the third nail in the coffin as USA tourism and investment will trend from PR to Cuba.
