In hard times, I find comfort in the thought of Albert Einstein.
Do not expect things to change if we do the same.
Crisis is the best blessing people and countries can have, for crisis
brings progress.
Creativity is born from anguish as the day is born from the dark
night. Crisis gives birth to inventiveness, discoveries and great
strategies. Whoever is successful in crisis succeeds over himself
without being succeeded.
Whoever attributes crisis for his failures and hardships violates his
own talent and respects more problems that solutions.
The real crisis is incompetence. The inconvenience for people and
countries is the laziness to find solutions and exits.
Without crisis there is no challenge and without challenge life is a
slow agony.
Without crisis there are no merits. In crisis the best of each flourishes
for without crisis the wind caresses. To talk about crisis is to promote
it, not to, is to exalt conformity.
Instead, let us work hard. Let us end once and for all the only
threatening crisis, which is the tragedy of not wanting to fight to
overcome it.
If it were true that crisis is a window of opportunity, we, in Puerto Rico, face a monumental opportunity. If the door is open, let us reach for the stars. Let us put behind the realm of the possible that has brought us to this sorry state.
I am utterly convinced, as one opinion goes, that we are in desperate need of a National Project. A proposal that is consensual and brings together the will of the majority, a proposal that provides a national sense of purpose and a vision of the future, a vision that allows us to face hardship with dignity.
A Project based on the principles of respect, decency and an aspiration of excellence with merit as principle.
I envision a country that is effective and efficient, of diligent people, courteous and hospitable. A reaffirmation of the vibrant the culture we are in all our artistic expressions.
An nation without economic laws that limit commerce. An Island with freedom to trade in accordance to our interests, needs and contributions.
An economy with work for all, designed to capitalize and save; diversified and productive, to meet the needs of a Caribbean Island of 3.3 millions of citizens.
A country with a visionary political class with service as is mission, aside from corruption, convenience or favoritism.
A nation with one legislative body of representatives with no other motivation than the privilege to serve; also regions replacing several municipalities and with an efficient judiciary system for all.
With a tax system that is fair and reasonable, with the power to manage resources for the sustained well-being of the people, that also compensates honesty and productive endeavors.
An Island moving rapidly to its nutritional self-sufficiency, with a vigorous agriculture leading to imports substitution. A nutritional chain based on fresh and healthy products. People in love with their land and its fruits working together with entrepreneurs enabling our productive potential.
An Island of people aware of their environment, creative in alternative sources of energy, leading in the use of solar, wind and sea as sources of energy and water.
A paradise capable of attracting diverse tourism for its natural beauty as well as its vibrant culture, appreciated in music, dance, theater, museums and gastronomy.
The crisis we face provides the urgency to be creative. Let us think and do our planning outside of the box. This opportunity is not to be missed.
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Copyright 2017 by José M. Umpierre. All photos are in th epublic domain or copyrighted by José M. Umpierre. Image of the Puertorican flag created by David Umpierre.
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