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President Obama's Report on Puerto Rico

2011-03-21T09:39:00.000-04:00

The “Report by the President's Task Force on Puerto Rico”, March 2011, is the typical cheap political report which attempts to bury the singular, original subject, coupled with other issues that could or might be of importance if, and only if, the primary premise of the report were the economic and political future of Puerto Rico. We must remember that president after president since Richard Nixon has made studies in reference to the status of Puerto Rico, [the key word being STATUS] addressing the problem of relationship between the US and Puerto Rico. President Obama decided to “expand” the scope of what all other presidents have done; his prerogative of course; but, I have asked myself WHY. Did he want to save money? Then, why not do two different reports: one on the status, and another on the “Economic Development Overview” of Puerto Rico. Why mix them? Politicians attempting to confuse constituents try to muddle the waters by talking and writing about all kind of things, more or less related: not saying very much. President Obama is one of these politicians.

The report has one hundred twenty two (122) pages. The first twenty two (22) pages are an introduction and an overview of the Presidential Task Force history on the status. The next ten, pages 23-33, are dedicated to the status. The remaining pages are dedicated to the Economic Development Overview and Task Force's Economic Recommendations; eighty nine pages to muddle the waters; however, there are a few things that, as discussed in all prior conversations and writings, have been reestablished.

The report in its “Status Overview” address prior referendums and how the present ELA (Commonwealth) has won each of them. What it does not say is, that with the exception of the 1960 plebiscite, in each and every election and plebiscite the vote have been very close and that on the average, the elections were shared out on a 48% - 48% -4% between the PPD (ELA), the PNP (Statehood) and PIP (Independence). The times the ELA has won with just over 50% of the votes, it has been because the lies and have truth as to what the “Culmination of the ELA” or the “Jíbaro Statehood” was all about. We must remember that Don Luis Muños Marín never won an election with less than 58.2%. That was Don Luis; since that time, the PPD has not won an election with more than 50,7%, and since 1972 forward it has fluctuated from 48.7% to 43.1%.

During this entire period, the US Congress did not see as its best interest to tell the people of Puerto Rico the truth as to what, if anything, it will be willing to give the PPD Commonwealth (ELA) to culminate that status; neither corrected all the lies and half truth the PPD have used trying to sell this formula nor the PNP clarified the so-called Jíbaro Statehood they tried to sell some years back.

The very last plebiscite proposal from Congress, HR 2499, became a farce when a naive Congresswoman from North Carolina was convinced by the PPD to include the ELA, as is, in order to make the Plebiscite a waste of time and money, if it was ever approved. This is a would-be, a two votes plebiscite, where the first would be if Puerto Rico would like to change its present status, yes or no. If yes then the second vote would be a choice of NON-Colonial/Territorial alternative, Independence, Statehood, or an Associated Republic. Unfortunately, this Congresswoman’s amendment was approved an the ELA, as it is, a Colony/Territory, was included; making this proposed project useless.

On page 23, the report The Task Force claims that it had heard two different point of view. “1) that the status has been reviewed constantly over the last few decades and there is nothing left to say about it; and 2) that President Obama’s expansion of the Task Force mission, beyond status, was an attempt to avoid dealing with the difficult issue of the status.” Then it claims that “Neither has proven to be true.”

Let us see if this is true.

If you have kept abreast of the fights on the status of Puerto Rico and if you have read these ten pages of the report, what have you found new in this writing? The only thing in the writing is what everyone knew. The ELA is a territory at the wishes of the Congress. The culmination of the ELA is to become an Associated Republic, if they want it. Anyone that has followed this subject know all this, they know what Independence is, what Statehood is and even they know that an Associated Republic means that a sovereign Republic will have to reach an agreement, draw a contract to associate itself to the other Republic. I cannot see what is new on this subject in the report.

Now, as to President Obama's reason: did he have to add the Economic Development Overview? is another question. I do not see it trying to save money and time. But if that is the reason, why not make two different reports and call each one what it is? To me, this an attempt to muddle the waters, in order to not present a true, strong, and viable recommendation. In other words, all shadow and no substance; no concrete answers; plenty of generalities.

Conclusion:

This Report by the President's Task Force on Puerto Rico's Status is very disappointing in its findings, as far as the status is concerned. To tell you the truth, I have read from page 1-33, and have come to the conclusion it was a justification for the expansion to the economic development of Puerto Rico, so, I did not finish reading it.

As to the status, the report lack of assertive recommendations; leaving Puerto Rico more or less in the same place it was before the report. The alternative on the status continues to be the same. If the Puerto Rico’s citizens want to change status, Independence, Statehood, and the Associated Republic, they will find nothing new here to assist them. The Commonwealth, to get to its “culmination”, has to move to the Associated Republic.

The Report clearly stipulate that there is no culmination of ELA. Let face it, Congress will not give a Territory rights their own States do not have. The leadership of the PPD knows this but still continue to tells their followers that it is possible. They talk of the Culminated ELA as fact of life as if the US Congress had nothing to say about it. Even today after the report they continue to do so. Our ex Governor Rafael Hernandez Colón and others in leadership positions have come out making these allegations.

PACTO DE FUTURO

2010-09-24T09:42:00.000-04:00

Contrato social para la transformación de Puerto Rico,

Manual de capacitación y educación política.

“Social Contract for the Transformation of Puerto Rico,

Training and Political Education Manual”.

This is the title of the much expected “Pacto de Futuro” that the Popular Democratic Party for some reason does not want to make public. At least since it was advertised back in July 25 during the celebration of the anniversary of the ELA, Commonwealth, for some reason they have denied the people to see it.

This is a document of 134 pages most of it giving a back ground on Puerto Rico, from where and how the PPD came to be, how long in power under Don Luis Muñoz Marín and how the ELA came to be. In addition it makes the point that Puerto Rico is a social nation because of its culture. It goes on to praise the ELA and how it is a system “in development”, as it was originally developed.

Three quarter through the document you find the “Pacto de Futuro”. But before we start talking about the Pacto, we find the following statement in page 42 . . .

“. . . La aspiración histórica del PPD, desde Luis Muñoz Marín hasta el presente, ha sido sustituir la Ley de Relaciones Federales por un pacto de asociación y la posición oficial del PPD es desarrollar un ELA no territorial y no colonial. Sustituir la Ley de Relaciones Federales por un Pacto evitará que en el futuro estemos sujetos a la voluntad unilateral del Congreso.”

In translation it reads like;

“. . .The historical aspiration of the PPD, since Luis Muños Marín to the present, has been to substitute the Federal Relation Law with an association pact and the official position of the PPD is to develop a non territorial and non colonial ELA. By substituting the Federal Relation Law with a Pact will prevent us from been subject to the unilateral will of the Congress in the future”.

This statement is quite interesting because . . . if this has been their aspiration since Don Luis (founder of the PPD in 1938) to the present, then why have they not been educating the people as to how they propose to do this transformation? They have had seventy two (72) years since the party was founded and fifty eight (58) years since the ELA became the political system in Puerto Rico.

If we take the ELA from day one to today the PPD has had fifty eight (58) years to tell the people how they plan to transform Puerto Rico from a territory/colony to a non territorial/colonial system. In 1967 Puerto Rico had the first plebiscite followed again in 1991, 1993, 1994, 1998 and now with the prospect of a new one in HR 2499 of 2010 the PPD has opposed to any change what so ever to the system nor has told the people what or how they plan to achieve the non territorial/colony system.

The “Pacto de Futuro” was developed last year but it has been in hiding to today, Yes, it was mentioned last July 25 by the president of the party during the ELA anniversary, and if I am not mistaken he said it was going to be made public the following week. It has not. I was lucky enough to be able to get a copy after bugging many friends for one.

It has been fifty eight (58) years since the ELA became to be and just over a year that the “Pacto de Futuro” was put together.

“Pacto de Futuro” is supposed to tell the people how the PPD plan to transform the ELA into a non territorial/colonial system. The document where you find this “Pacto” is “Contrato social para la transformación de Puerto Rico, Manual de capacitación y educación política.” The “Pacto” start in about page 109. There it tell us some of what they want to control, in 17 points, without loosing any of the benefits the ELA give Puerto Rico, and not reaching Independence nor Statehood.

I will go over these points in the very near future. Stay tune . . .

ALL MOUTH

2010-09-12T19:13:00.001-04:00

It is quite interesting how the PPD leaders promise one thing and deliver another. And even more interesting is how non of the members of the party call them on it. Last July 26 Mr Ferrer, president of the PPD during his speech he said . . .

“. . . El pasado año, les presenté 17 áreas específicas del crecimiento autonómico y económico del Estado Libre Asociado, hoy, les propongo discutir esas 17 áreas. Esa es mi propuesta, el Pacto de Futuro, que incluye una nueva estructura jurídica, en donde el Pacto sustituirá la actual ley de relaciones federales, para que quede, meridianamente claro que el desarrollo del ELA será uno no colonial ni territorial.
Además, incluye la defensa de nuestra nacionalidad. Nuestra autoridad de gobernarnos nosotros mismos y la derogación de la Ley de Cabotaje, propuesta que ahora está impulsando el Senador John McCain en el Senado Federal y con quien ya me comuniqué.”

He talk of 17 “specific areas” that define the ELA and the new judicial structure that will substitute the present “federal relations” . . .but so far to date, September 12, the Party has not seen willing to publish their “Pacto de Futuro” where Mr Ferrer say the definition as to how the ELA will become a non-colonial status. As in previous years it is all mouth and no action. I keep asking myself, what are they afraid of?

The most amazing thing is that so far the PPD file and rank has follow like sheep’s without asking or demanding for a copy of the “Pacto de Futuro”.

Puerto Ricans Politically Voting SHEEPS

2010-08-11T08:35:00.000-04:00

As I mentioned in my “Home” page, I have been looking for Hector Ferrer Ríos “Pacto De Futuro” for over two (2) weeks. Some friends in Facebook have also gone out of their way looking for this document. However you see many commentators and political people talking or writing as to how good it is.

After this futile search I must question these so call voices supporting this “Pacto de Futuro” on its “merits”. It has to be one of two things going around;

1) This is a secret documents for a few eyes only in the party (I doubt it)

2) Our people have become SHEEP'S following blindly what the leaders of the party tell them.

If we look back in our political history, our Jíbaro, when we had them, or stay home not voting or sold their vote until Don Luis Muñoz Marín talked them in giving him their vote. He kept his promises to his Jíbaros and they voted for him in mass election after election. When he retired, they gave the vote to the party and still today many old people still vote PPD because of Don Luis. They could care less what it was . . .”if Don Luis said it . . .it was good”. Of course, this is a “Latin” way of thinking. Let face it we are “Caudillistas”, we follow that “caudillo” no matter what. We have not learned much in the last fifty years.

Boricua, when are you going to stand in your two feet and learn that the political future of our island is in your hands? When are you going to confirm what you are told? When are you going to stop believing that just because a person has a high position in the party he is telling you the truth?

DESPIERTA BORICUA . . . el futuro de Puerto Rico está en tus manos!!!

Puerto Rico y su Futuro Político

2010-07-23T14:22:00.000-04:00

Este artículo fue publicado originalmente en Marzo 2010

Puerto Rico ha tenido varios “referéndums” relacionados con el “status” de la isla y su relación con el gobierno norteamericano. Cada uno de ellos a sido un fracaso debido a la división ideológica de los votantes y principalmente de los partidos político. El Partido Popular argumentando por la “culminación del ELA”, el Partido Nuevo Progresista” argumentando por la estadidad . . .a su manera o “Estadidad Jibara”, y el Partido Independentista pidiendo la Independencia pero sin perder la gran mayoría de los derechos como ciudadano americano.

Puerto Rico a estado dividido políticamente, desde hace ya unos cincuenta años, en un 48% , 48% y un 4% entre el PPD, PNP y el PIP . Cada una de las elecciones, en el transcurso de ese tiempo a terminado, aproximadamente, en esta división electoral.

El famoso “Task Force” está estudiando como proceder con el proyecto ley de la Cámara de Representantes H.R.2499 o “Puerto Rico Democratic Act”.

Este proyecto ley le presenta a Puerto Rico tres alternativas las cuales son, por lo menos dos de ellas, mucho más claras y no se prestan a la demagogia de los lideres del PNP y del PIP. Las tres alternativas son;

1)Independence: Puerto Rico should become fully independent from the United States.

2) Sovereignty in Association with the United States: Puerto Rico and the United States should form a political association between sovereign nations that will not be subject to the Territorial Clause of the United States Constitution.

3) Statehood: Puerto Rico should be admitted as a State of the Union.

Las alternativas para los del PIP (#1) y del PNP (#3) son directas y no se prestan para la habitual manipulación de los políticos en Puerto Rico, aunque, seguramente, tratarán de intentarlo.

Por otro lado, la alternativa presentada a los del PPD es mucho mas ambigua y se presta para que los lideres del partido la vendan como quieran. Lo mas interesante de la definición es que es tan ambigua que los lideres Populares que apoyan “la Culminación del ELA” no auspician el proyecto y el partido se ha dividido entre los que quieren la “culminación” y los que quieren la “soberanía asociada”, liderados por el alcalde de Caguas Willy Miranda Marín.

Si miran bien la alterativa numero 2 del Proyecto, “Soberanía en Asociación con los Estados Unidos” notarán que solamente menciona dos elementos a considerar para lograr este fin. Primero: “Puerto Rico y los EEUU deberán formar una asociación política entre dos naciones soberanas” Y, segundo: “Esa asociación no estará sujeta a la Clausula Territorial de la Constitución de los Estados Unidos”.

Es decir, para no estar bajo la Clausula Territorial, Puerto Rico debe ser, primero, una Nación Soberana. Logrado esto, puede establecer el “pacto de asociación” con otra “Nación Soberana” como lo es, ciertamente, los Estados Unidos de Norteamerica.

Y aquí es donde se le traba el bolo, y entran en contradicciones, los ideólogos populares. Miranda Marín lo expresó muy certeramente al decir: “… debemos hablarle claramente al pueblo popular, dejar de mentirles…” Claro, la palabrita venenosa para el Partido Popular es “independencia”. Le tienen terror. Saben que el costo político puede ser devastador para ellos y sus aspiraciones electorales. Por tal razón, se sacaron de la manga la peregrina idea de que cuando hablaban de soberanía se referían a la “soberanía del pueblo”. Si serán cuenteros!!! Todos sabemos que los pueblos son soberanos. En nuestro caso específico, un poco menos, porque siendo una colonia de los EEUU nuestra soberanía reside en manos del Gobierno de ese país.

Y no es que los dirigentes del Partido Popular no sepan, realmente, lo que significa la palabra “soberanía”. La mayoría de ellos son abogados y gente altamente educada. Lo que ocurre es que este partido político tiene por norma mentirle a sus seguidores. Lo ha hecho siempre. Durante más de cincuenta años nos han tenido dormidos con el cuento de la “relación especial”, bilateral, entre PR y los EEUU. No solo no existe ningún documento entre las partes que apoye ese argumento, sino que el Task Force de la Casa Blanca lo desmintió rotundamente en uno de sus informes.

El concepto ‘nación” se puede interpretar de dos maneras diferentes. Nación, como concepto cultural, sociológicamente hablando. Es el pueblo o nación puertorriqueña. Con idioma, costumbres y tradiciones comunes que lo identifican como tal. Y “nación” como concepto político. Reconocido por la comunidad internacional al hablar de las naciones libres y, soberanas, del mundo. Porque libre y soberano son sinónimos. Una no puede existir sin la otra. Claro, los países soberanos pueden pactar, y pactan todos los días, con otros países soberanos. Ese es el problema del Partido Popular y de su hijo el ELA. Como no somos una nación soberana no podemos pactar con otras naciones soberanas del mundo. La realidad, en nuestro caso, es que los Estados Unidos pactan y nosotros compartimos ese pacto.

Ahora bien, como la definición de “asociación entre Puerto Rico y los Estados Unidos” es muy vaga, poco explicita, nos produce una serie de interrogantes. ¿Que derechos tendrán los puertorriqueños bajo esta Asociación? ¿El “contrato de Asociación” cuando será negociado? ¿Antes o después de la votación? Aunque lo dudo, pero si esta forma de gobierno llega a ganar ese plebiscito, que “leverage”, fuerza o estatura política tendría Puerto Rico para negociar este contrato de “Asociación”? De no llegar a un acuerdo con los EEUU, o de el pueblo votar en contra del contrato presentado, el voto por la “Soberanía” de la “Soberanía Asociada” seria forzada al pueblo?

Desde que leí por primera vez H.R. 2499 me opuse a este plebiscito y le he hecho saber, a quienes corresponde, el porqué me opongo.

El Congreso tendría que presentarle a Puerto Rico dos o tres (2 o 3) alternativas finales que NO se presten a la demagogia, y a las medias verdades, de los políticos de Puerto Rico. En realidad el Congreso debe darle a Puerto Rico un ultimátum de Estadidad o Independencia. La Soberanía Asociada se presta para muchísimo cuento, manoseo y demagogia política de los políticos profesionales de nuestra Isla.

Recordemos que nuestro pueblo es uno creído, acostumbrado a votar con una cruz bajo el signo de su Partido, que acepta como “sagrado” lo que le dicen sus líderes, Que no votan por ideas sinó por colores y que, generalmente, no conocen la Plataforma Política de sus respectivos Partidos Políticos.

Es decir, gente buena, generosa, pero poco elaborada, avisada, en cuestiones políticas. Si, es cierto el dicho de que “la política es nuestro deporte nacional”. Pero desgraciadamente lo hacemos sin importarnos los detalles, las entrelineas, lo sustantivo de las ideas. No solemos meditar, considerar, evaluar en su justa dimensión los resultados de nuestras acciones. Seguimos siendo”jóvenes entusiastas” llenos de fuego y pasión por las cosas. Eso, mis amigos, es muy bueno para enfocar la vida cotidiana… pero muy malo a la hora de “bregar” con la política. Es por eso que los políticos nos usan cada cuatro años, nos dejamos llevar como un rebaño de corderos, sin pensarlo dos veces. Cada cuatro años nos llenan la cabeza con consignas, cantos, promesas… y muchas mentiras. Con el tiempo las consignas y los cantos se olvidan y las promesas quedan en lo que realmente fueron… puras promesas que no tenían planeado cumplir. Eran solo “cuentos de sirenas” para tenernos dormidos soñando con “pajaritos de colores”.

Puerto Rico y su Encrucijada

2010-07-05T22:34:00.001-04:00

Puerto Rico se encuentra en una encrucijada política. Don Luis Muñoz Marín, aun siendo de ideales independentistas, reconoció que a la isla le convenía mas unirse a USA que convertirse en otra república latinoamericana. Se invento el ya famoso Estado Libre Asociado (ELA), introdujo Operación Bootstrap y Operación Serenity para sacar al puertorriqueño del letargo político/económico/social que se encontraba a principios de los años 50.

El triunfo económico de Operación Bootstrap ya es conocido en el mundo entero. El fracaso de Operación Serenity es algo que nadie sabe o quisiera comentar y, mucho menos, el Partido Popular.

Operación Serenity era el brazo educativo del programa político de Muñoz Marín y su ELA. El éxito de la Operación Bootstrap ayudó a cubrir el fracaso de la Operación Serenity. Su nombre desapareció del lenguaje político insular hasta el día de hoy. Serenity ayudo a Don Jaime Benítez a levantar la Universidad de Puerto Rico (la UPI para aquellos días) a un nivel de reconocimiento mundial, como una gran Universidad. Desgraciadamente, en los años 60, bajo la Secretaria de Educación Celeste Benítez, pariente de Don Jaime, bajaron los requerimientos de admisión para que más estudiantes de la escuela pública pudieran entra a ella. Esto ocurrió cuando la Secretaria Benítez descubrió que la gran mayoría de los estudiantes en la UPI eran de escuelas privadas y del exterior.

Volviendo a la encrucijada, los partidos políticos con su chachara demagógica han mantenido al pueblo totalmente confundido, engañado, o mejor dicho, ignorante de la verdadera relación entre los EEUU y PR. Por otro lado, el Congreso Federal no nos a dicho nunca, hasta el informe del Task Force, cual es verdaderamente el alcance de esa relación.

El “Report By The President’s Task Force On Puerto Rico’s Status“ del 2007 por primera vez aclara, aunque muchos no lo quieran admitir, que Puerto Rico esta bajo el poder el Congreso ya que PR es un “TERRITORIO no incorporado” de acuerdo a la Constitución de los Estados Unidos.

La Constitución Norteamericana reconoce a los Estados, Territorios Incorporados y Territorios NO Incorporados. Puerto Rico está en la categoría de territorio no incorporado. La Soberanía Asociada seria una alternativa reconocida internacionalmente. Ya esta salida política ha sido probada con mucho éxito en diferentes partes del mundo. Es una válida y digna solución a un problema colonial como el nuestro. El problema, en nuestro caso, es que los Populares no quieren que el nombre “República", asociada o no, aparezca en ningún sitio que ellos apoyen. Esto, aunque la “Culminación del ELA es mas o menos lo mismo que la “República Asociada".