Burundanga de Zocotroco
José M. Umpierre
An interested group of concerned citizen sent the White House a proposal that it grant independence to Puerto Rico by executive order.
The latest commotion in Puerto Rico has been brought about by an interested group of concerned citizen that sent the White House a proposal that it grant independence to Puerto Rico by executive order. The Group of 16 citizens propose a 20 year transition period with the federal government subsidizing $36,000 million a year, arguably $617,000 millions less than today’s costs. The republic would keep the North American dollar and Social Security until a national system is established and Puerto Ricans could keep American citizenship. In these absurd times when the impossible seems only too possible, the reaction to the news has been spectacular.
The provocative nature of the initiative can be assessed by the way it has caught public opinion and has everybody, mother, brother and child, all scrambling for some say in the matter. The proposal has been labeled an atrocity that contravenes international rights and democratic processes. I remain baffled, caught between laughter and indignation.
There is hilarity in the way an out-of-the-blue, only possible under current circumstances, initiative has stirred such an overwhelming reaction. It has provoked our wokeness as each person displays their true colors. How dare a group of radial theorists conspire with MAGA followers and validate the imperial style pursued by the President? How dare they request independence without the will of the people and contradicting anti-independence fervor?
The many critics of the proposal, apostles of immobility, have called the initiative dangerous and irresponsible as it disregards international rights and the legal process for a colony to attain self-government. Independence by Presidential decree is seen as daring and antidemocratic. They argue that any claim of sovereignty should be initiated by laws in Congress, based on a serious and responsible dialogue between the United states and Puerto Rico. Also, that the Island lacks an economic productive and stable foundation to embark independence since Puerto Rico is each year more dependent on federal subsidies lacking our own economic strengths.
How dare they request independence without the will of the people and contradicting anti-independence fervor?
It stirs me to no end that the critics have had 127 years to come up with solutions but instead remain unsullied critics. I applaud wholeheartedly this initiative and any option that lifts us an inch from the swamp of immobility and begging. For more than a century we have heard a democratic debate that has no end; our exercise of democracy has proven to be sterile and inconsequential. And now that something novel comes out of the blue, so many align themselves with the status quo for constitutional reasons. Shame on you! I applaud the initiative for its most appropriate reading of the times, for its creativity and spontaneity, for its confirmation that in these convoluted times, opportunity is open for what may seem to be the impossible.
The argument that we have voted against Independence is the easiest to dismiss; political favor is a dynamic variable. Check the last elections and the long history of plebiscites. It is evidently clear that statehood has lost ground and independence has gained.
The citizens that submitted the proposal exercised their right to free speech, critics please fall in line, there is plenty of room. After all your arguments of what we lack, particularly that economic foundation, don’t you think this could have been a wonderful 20-year period to come up with a model instead of complaining so much? It upsets me to no end that I sense fear as part of their staggering and procrastination, the doubt of being able, instead of the openness to an opportunity and to dream big as dreams should be.
The outlook of the future is gloomy. There is genuine concern that the international image of the US is deteriorating and that the Trump/ Musk government efficiency are to have severe repercussion in a dependent territory like Puerto Rico. When you add the level of ineptitude of the current administration, the formula is for no less than disaster.
The magnitude of the task at hand demands a generation of the best people, the most able and honest, genuinely concerned with the benefit of their people.
The prophets of immobility deny the possibility that two decades would be time enough to articulate and agree on the republic we would like to be, with its corresponding sovereignty. That is, a republic with an economic model that provides for the well-being of all, with a sustainable future, with corrective measures that ensure dismissal of bad habits and constitutes the Caribbean nation that we deserve to be.
The main obstacle to independence is the discredit of the political class that has brought about the disaster. The magnitude of the task at hand demands a generation of the best people, the most able and honest, genuinely concerned with the benefit of their people, with a profound commitment to decency instead of greed for wealth and power. Leaders that listen and execute fairly, people with vision and passion for social justice. I don’t know if this ailing tree can be resuscitated, if not, we can plant other trees and take better care of their growth.
___________________________________________________________________
Copyright por José M. Umpierre. Todos los imagenes en el dominio público.