Puerto Rico's status

Obviously Mr. Bhatia you are a supporter of "Status Quo". Could it be that your Job is at stake? Let's face it Statehood or Independence. The Apathy and lack of Accountability epidemic in Puerto Rico needs to take a drastic turn in order for the Island to survive.

Mr. Bhatia obviously lives in a state of denial. The Commonwealth (colony) has not led to job growth. The economy in Puerto Rico is stagnant and has been posting negative economic growth. The job numbers are skewed by the low percentage of participation in the labor pool. Mr. Bhatia needs to face reality. Puerto Rico needs a change, be it statehood, independence, or an indepence with an association to the US. One thing is certain, current status is not working.

Bathia no tiene credibilidad. Bathia no has credibility. Don't trust him.. He is doing some propaganda in Orlando.

I wonder how much of the million dollars that the American Pharmaceutical Corporations spend lobbying against Statehood Mr.Bathia gets? I once was indirectly referred in this forum as a traitor because I decided to move to the U.S. many years ago and gave up how much enjoyment the island had to offer in exchange for "material confort". The real traitors are those who throughout the last 25 years have looked the other way and been part of the decrepid socio-economic failure that the commonwealth has become. Love of the mighty dollar, you bet! Puertorricans love it as much as any american does. At least I earned and continue to earn my way and pass along the same values that my Puertorrican parents instilled in me when I was growing up.
I just hope they don't sell out to their politicians and corporations and continue Status quo.

Lets face it...The pharmaceutical companies want Puerto Rico to become an Independent country. This will happen due to plain economics..Puerto becomes free and the US labor laws no longer apply..Also minimum wage will go..Its no secret that Puerto Rico is no longer a cheap place to do business.. Washington DC will mostly likely be the 51st state.. People here need to understand that we are looking at an Associated state option..

Economics and Keeping Puerto Rico competitive will dictate the future of the island. Commonwealth will be replaced to Associated State..Just a Matter of time.

Ppl. have the idea that once PR. solves its status PR. will enter a golden age. No matter which status wins the local politicians will still be governing. Compact of Free Association or Independence is the way to go.

US has Compact of Free Association with Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and the island nation of Palau.
These above island nations are defended by the US and get grants from the US in return for US being only nation allowed militarily in those nations. The above nations can make treaties with other nations and join the UN. They run themselves. There citizens can join the US military. Every 20 yrs. US grants are renewed or can be cancelled.

Here is info. on the Island nation of Palau: Read this: http://www.hawaii.edu/pbcp/services/servicear...

This is info. on the Federated States of Micronesia: Read how it is set-up:
http://www.fsmlaw.org/compact/index.htm

I agree...Free Association..Will benefit the Island. Lets finally move on..

Derek

I don't think status resolution will be the miracle cure to Puerto Rico's socio-economic woes. What ever the outcome , there will be a transition period in which Puertoricans will be "forced" to unite and empower themselves to work for their future.
Right now is like the spoiled , entitled, know it all, pot smoking, high school drop out, not wanting to grow up, twenty something year old son leaving in their mom and dads basement. Driving their car without willing to fill up the tank, leaving in their home without willing to mow the lawn or do his own laundry.
You know when they finally grow up? When mom and dad get fed up and he is forced to do something of himself.

Ideally an Independence Plan or a Rental Agreement will take place and he is put in the position of moving out or starting to contribute to the household.

Same basic rules apply.

Maria

We are not little children....This is not North Carolina... Your dealing with very educated individuals here, who are capable of adapting to any change..

Leave it to the losers who couldn't make it here, To pass judgment ...You Puerto Ricans in the states are so hopelessly pathetic. Why don't you folks first register and learn how to vote..before giving lectures..Since only 7% of you actually do..

Envoy wrote:

Maria
We are not little children....This is not North Carolina... Your dealing with very educated individuals here, who are capable of adapting to any change..

I am not saying Puertorrican are little children -they act like them - and at no point in my post I said they would not be able to adapt. My point is that status Quo should not prevail and that change is indispensable. Como dicen in P.R. "No se puede tapar el cielo con la mano".

Don't know what the North Carolina thing has to do with it. My perception is not as limited as you might want it to be. I have lived and traveled many countries around the world. What do you know about life in North Carolina? let me guess...a bunch of uneducated Hillbillies. For your information Raleigh N.C. and the triangle area has one the highest concentration of PHD's in the Nation. The Research Triangle Park hosts one of the most multicultural communities of professionals around. Voted to be one of the top 5 areas to live in the U.S.
All those pharmaceuticals that are manufactured in P.R. are engineered here... get a clue!

I know they are very well educated people there,know many of them. Please do not confuse education with wisdom. What is best for the Island and it's people is not what is of best interest to the politicians and you guys keep electing them!

You know what... I am done with this Ridiculous Forum. There is no point in reasoning with rocks.

I will make sure I do my part and mobilize and create consciousness here. No more status quo or Associated State. Statehood or Independence...S--- or get off the pot!

I say let them join the Union. They brought us JLo's backside. Amen to that brother.

I believe the last comment was hilarious!!

I would like to thank the individual..As far as the user from North Carolina..

Yes our general impression of Puerto Ricans living there..is that.. you are a bunch of uneducated Hillbillies. Sorry

derek wrote:

Ppl. have the idea that once PR. solves its status PR. will enter a golden age. No matter which status wins the local politicians will still be governing. Compact of Free Association or Independence is the way to go.
US has Compact of Free Association with Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and the island nation of Palau.
These above island nations are defended by the US and get grants from the US in return for US being only nation allowed militarily in those nations. The above nations can make treaties with other nations and join the UN. They run themselves. There citizens can join the US military. Every 20 yrs. US grants are renewed or can be cancelled.
Here is info. on the Island nation of Palau: Read this: http://www.hawaii.edu/pbcp/services/servicear...
This is info. on the Federated States of Micronesia: Read how it is set-up:
http://www.fsmlaw.org/compact/index.htm

So every 20 years we have to deal with more confusion to the idiot people of Puerto Rico that don't like to read and are easy fool.
You are an idiot for wishing this to PR
State or Indenpence I', tire of Puerto Rico drinking the milk but not wanting to buy the cow.

Barba Blanca wrote:

Indeed, the post 1970s P.Rican generation have been spoiled to the point they are now incapable of much. Physically and intellectually they lack the will to fend for themselves; not much different than a dog who'd starve unless its master throws some bones.
Shame, shame, shame....
There can only be non colonial options, period, and until that happens, the right to seek out our own destiny, "through all means possible", is reserved to .. we the people...

I agree 100% I go to college in Puerto Rico all I can see are a bunch of "plastas de mierda" lazy people cheating the Government for Welfare. Puerto Ricans are like monkeys they don't pick up a book to educate themselves. They don't like to work, just a bunch of conformist.

It is very sad to read Mr. Bhatia continue supporting a colonial and inferior relationship between PR and the USA.
Mr. Bhatia is an intelligent person, and he should know better!

I live in Puerto Rico and I can tell you that it is not true that ¨For five decades, Puerto Ricans have supported the commonwealth arrangement with the United States.¨

For more than 100 years we have never been asked whether we want to continue in the present territorial and colonial status. We have only been asked in 1952, whether we want to establish our own constitution for internal matters. Duhhhh...

The person who wrote the statement for Mr. Bahtia, probably has never lived in Puerto Rico and, as a paid publicist living in the USA, does not have to suffer the outrage of being a second class citizen!

All USA citizens should be embarassed with the outdated colonial politics with regard to Puerto Rico.

CONGRESS simply needs to ask us: Do you wish to continue under the present territorial relation ith the USA? Over 96% will say NO.

The majority of the Puerto Rico population do not want to continue being slaves of Congress.

Many of us demand the rights and duties of full US citizenship.

SET MY PEOPLE FREE!!!!!!!!!!

Being a European living in PR I am amazed by the ongoing discussion of the "status" issue.

The political parties' official reason for existence is status related (statehood, commonwealth or independence). They have no other ideological program. Whichever party is in power is not important, the leaders are just as corrupt anyway.

Now, thinking resolving the status issue will solve PR's problems is downright stupid.

Like the in other countries in the region, the majority of the population is not interested in working hard to improve their situation,on the contrary. Making enough money to get drunk after work is the main goal for many here.

Look at the service level, f.i., Horrible! Bureaucracy is a plague. Not paying taxes and living on food stamps, having free medical care (Reforma) but at the same time driving a shiny car and wearing expensive jewelry (the outside is so important for the locals!)is how many local live.

Now, statehood would be bad for them because things might get more organized, threatening their nice lives. Independence would be worse, because that would mean they would have to work - not the national hobby over here - so the country would fall back to third world status. Maintaining the current status is just fine for the Puerto Ricans. They will be able to go on with their lazy lives.

"For more than 100 years we have never been asked whether we want to continue in the present territorial and colonial status. We have only been asked in 1952, whether we want to establish our own constitution for internal matters." Jorge Capo

Jorge, I beg to differ with you. Puerto Rico has had "Three" plebiscite votes, the last being in 1998. Each time the commonwealth or status quot vote has remained. While I do not agree with Mr. Bahtia I also take issue with your assertion that "USA Citizens should be embarrassed". Sir I would gladly support the people of Puerto Rico if they voted for Statehood, as next to Hawaii it would be one of this countries most beautiful states. If the people vote for independence, well congratulations and with some time limited help from the United States the island nation would be the richest and most modernized nation in the Caribbean. The argument that there needs to be three choices holds no water anymore. It is time to fish or cut bait as it were. Those that do not support this are either corrupt or afraid of the future. I give the people a little more credit then that. Personally with family on the island I believe Statehood would win out. The problem that arises everytime this issue comes up comes from the very small vocal/violent group of nationalists that simply feel that they know better then the rest of the population. Are you one of them?

I ask Mr. Eduardo Bhatia, how is it democratic, legal and valid, a form of government to continue to exist that advocates no political representation in Congress for 4 million Puerto Ricans. In the last 55 years, the current Commonwealth Of Puerto Rico, has had only one voice, with no vote in Congress, that represents the Island's residents. This does not make sense. Why has the current status won for the last local referendums? Why not take a poll based upon age and you will see. The elderly will vote for the current status, because they do it for legacy of Luis Muñoz Marín. Plain and simple. And to understand this you have to know Puerto Rico's history and it's colonial conditioning. ELA (Estado Libre Associado - known as "Commonwealth" in English) is a form of government that supports the rich of Puerto Rico, because they don't have to pay federal taxes. Why is it that ELA's governmental elite, are the rich? This form of government has been an injustice for the work force on the Island. It has maintained sub-standard wages as compared to U.S. worker salaries. It has made the rich, richer. It all has to do with money.

With all due respect to Mr. Bhatia, he remarks are misleading in a futile effort to save the present political status of P.R. HR 900 would ask ALL PUERTO RICANS whether they want to continue the present status or if they wish to end it. That is it. As far as I know in a democracy, the majority of votes determine the winner. If a majority of Puerto Ricans are happy with the Commonwealth, then the presetn status will win. If on the other hand, a majority is not satisfied with the present status a change is needed. What is Mr. Bhatia afraid of; Democracy?