We’ve been able to…or not.
The Big Beautiful Bill has been signed by President Trump.
The signature is on paper and the Big Beautiful Bill (BBB) that dictates the domestic policy for President Trump’s second administration is the current mandate for the United States.
The Institute of Taxes and Economic Policy anticipates three options to meet the law: cut investment in health and food assistance, move funds to keep health insurance (mostly education) and/or increase taxes. If it is anticipated that it will have a substantial effect on the states. But the consequences in the unincorporated territory look much more serious due to a lack of political power to defend its constituents.
Puerto Rico’s economy has been subject to a prolonged recession, high unemployment rate, a series of disasters and public debt that have led to greater dependence on federal funds to maintain basic services and support the economy. It is estimated that the federal government annually contributes to Puerto Rico about $22 billion to $25 billion to cover essential programs such as: Medicaid, food assistance, disasters and education.
What local politicians have come up with is to privatize, sell our heritage and grant tax privileges to the wealthy.
Faced with the imminent disaster that is coming, what local politicians have come up with is to privatize, sell our heritage and grant tax privileges to the wealthy. Put the most valuable resources on a silver platter with a cheekiness that ignores the future in the face of the despair of the present day. It is no coincidence that the country is immersed in scandal that day to day feeds controversy. The cost of living continues to rise without the least respite and the summer heat wreaks havoc on our vital energy resources.
And here we are; still in this swamp of apparent immobility. If something gives me encouragement, it is the conviction that contradictions are fundamental to existence. If there is immobility, there is movement. If there is irrationality, there has to be reason. If there is abuse, I would like there to be justice. If there is slyness and apathy, there is also enthusiasm and insistence. The rain drops will keep falling until the damn breaks.
Someday there will be light on the supplications and laments and dear God will refer to more than the color of a banana stain. In the meantime, as Betances* has taught us, we will continue to conspire.
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Copyright 2025 by Jose M. Umpierre. *Ramón Emeterio Betances was a Puerto Rican revolutionary leader (1827-1898). All photos are in the public domain.