Puerto Ricans’ Response to the Economic Crisis Rooted in Misinformation and Frustration

[Judi Lynn]

August 9, 2016
Puerto Ricans’ Response to the Economic Crisis Rooted in Misinformation and Frustration

by Mario Mercado Diaz

Frustrated by the results of the Spanish-American War in 1898, Ramón Emeterio Betances – father of the Puerto Rican Independence movement and an Antillean leader – asked: “What’s wrong with Puerto Ricans that they haven’t rebelled yet?” The question has been frequently evoked with equal frustration and indignation whenever political struggles and protests fail to rally islanders to their cause. Upon returning to the Island this summer, I was impressed by citizens’ complacency despite the proclaimed dissatisfaction with the current administration, the economy and the deteriorating quality of life. Now more than ever – with the signing of the PROMESA (Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act) and the imposition of the Board for Fiscal Oversight (or Junta) – Puerto Ricans, on the island and abroad, have more than enough reason to demand social justice for their country. But, why aren’t more doing so? Puerto Ricans on the whole are deeply concerned for the wellbeing of their people. While small groups have shown their discontent through protests and rallies, apathy seems to still haunts the Island during these trying times. The differences between groups, the disinformation among the populace and the lack of political recourse or social mechanisms available to effect change seems to stymie broader mobilization.

For months, Puerto Ricans debated whether Congress would take up PROMESA, if it would actually pass, and what would that mean for the Island. After local primaries where held in June, I created a Twitter account (@ruisenorcalle) to compile comments made by everyday Puerto Ricans and gage the social temperature. I found that most Puerto Ricans saw the coming of the Junta and PROMESA as a form of accountability: there is hope that federal agents will bring corrupt politicians to justice and halt fraudulent government activities. Local politicians are perceived as “uncontrollable” crooks who answer to no one, and the U.S. presence seen as mandated to rein in these almost despotic politicians. Meanwhile, many of my compatriots believe the Junta will defend Puerto Rico from vulture hedge funds while working to improve the Island’s economy. Admittedly, many of those who spoke about the Junta have not read the bill and do not understand what the board aims to accomplish on the Island. Debates on the Junta take place in the media, but few manage to inform about all of its clauses and to engage in a profound debate about effects and its meaning for US-PR political relations. It didn’t help that the U.S. Congress and key local media outlets failed to provide a Spanish translation, though a translator recently voluntarily made one available. As a result, the aforementioned ground level discourse on the Junta often lacks concrete information. While general discontent with local government, the Commonwealth status, and the present state of the economy run as high as tropical summer heat, social temperatures remain low as the crisis deepens and many Puerto Ricans continue leave.

Puerto Rico’s woes go beyond PROMESA, as the standard of living on the island has been declining and the cost of living increased tremendously. Puerto Ricans are faced with a 11.5 percent sales tax, an 11.7 percent unemployment rate, a 45 percent poverty rate, and a fast shrinking economy and population. The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, which is responsible for $9 billion of the Island’s $73 billion debt, has announced a likely 20 percent rate increase in order to increase its liquidity. The U.S. Geological survey announced it would no longer monitor Puerto Rico’s water resources. The helicopter ambulance service has been discontinued. A doctor a week leaves the Island, contributing to catastrophic shortages of specialists and medical services. Puerto Ricans are witnessing dizzying changes of historical proportions in all sectors of society.

Along with the passing of PROMESA, the last week of June 2016 marked a turning point for the social and economic situation of the island. The University of Puerto Rico announced a tuition increase of 4 percent for incoming students and a restructuring of its budget, with the majority of funds assigned to pay the credit line and bonuses. Meanwhile, the UPR Board of Trustees faces an investigation because of irregularities in the process of awarding Presidential Scholarships and, on June 7th, dismissed its president, Dr. Uroyoan Noel. Also recently, the Puerto Rican Senate approved a law (Project #1621) which sanctioned beachfront housing at the Parguera Natural Reserve, and reviewed a related law (Project #2853), approved by the House of Representatives, that would privatize coastal areas in Puerto Rico. Lastly, the CDC issued a statement strongly recommending aerial fumigation with Naled to control Zika and urged Governor Alejandro García Padilla to approve this measure. On July 21st, the CDC sent a shipment of the insecticide to the Island without the approval or the knowledge of the Puerto Rican governor. Even after a tumultuous week, there is an astonishing display of apathy and neglect towards the state of the country and the citizenry. This apathy has been created by the unequal relationship between United States and Puerto Rico since 1898, the lasting impacts of 500 years colonialism, and the long history of failed administrations.

More:
http://www.counterpunch.org/2016/08/09/puerto-ricans-response-to-the-economic-crisis-rooted-in-misinformation-and-frustration/

[geek tragedy]

1. Puerto Rico needs to decide on either independence or statehood.

current status quo is unacceptable.

[Igel]

2. The article is written with a goal.

In order to achieve that goal, it only says certain things, and those in certain ways. Even then, he has trouble reaching his goal, what with all the stuff that's too massive to spin and so has to be dealt with as Large Abstractions we have to take his word on. Like the fact that the recession in PR began a year or two before the housing- and securities-bubble burst in 2008 for pretty much entirely local reasons.

So people on the ground are uninformed and suffering from colonialism. But their local leaders they elect. Many of the objections to the status quo in the article weren't foisted on the island but brought on by the elected leaders. If they're corrupt, then they'd probably still be corrupt if the "country" were, in fact, independent--but with even less restraining the corruption than they have now.

The wildlife preserves that are "under attack" were privately held land at one time. Then they became US government property, mostly through purchase. Now they're in some sense "public." If they're privatized, it's colonialism, even if done by the local government on its own; if "progressive" forces saw a reason to develop them, then suddenly not privatizing them but retaining government control would be colonialism.


All told, the population keeps voting for status quo. It's sucky, but a lot of people fear independence or or see benefits in being a territory. At the same time, some people may resent being a territory but if they suddenly become a state then they're subject to more taxes and some regulations.