[Suki]

What do I think are the worst destroyers of society? After dealing with my son and the system that deals with kids and families in crisis and reading a lot on the subject, my conclusion is that ADDICTION and Drugs are the worst social ill in any society. HANDS DOWN. It creates the worst problems on Earth. A drug addict can't stick to a schedule that is disciplined and that is consistent. That is critical in keeping oneself employed. A drug addict or alcoholic that is a chronic alcoholic can't even take care of their own problems and needs supervision and support just like a totally small and dependent child needs. It 'nullifies' the adults ability to be productive, responsible and accountable and viable. Their judgement is severely impaired and their brains are altered (sometimes permanently), and they are incapable of sound or logical choice making. They can't make good choices at all. Their judgement centers in the brain are blown. In effect, they become "NULL" and "VOID" in society and they no longer are expected to be responding to anything of import. MILLIONS of adults in this state of being, creates the problems we see in the USA and around the world related to family crisis. It is also related to capitalism. Because capitalism pushes instant gratification and 'escapism' as alternatives to dealing with problems. Everything is about quick and easy this or that. Including taking pills and drugs to numb thoughts or feelings that are highly uncomfortable.

In general, people who never cope with their fears, their pain and their problems eventually leave the 'responsible' ones with more to cope with than what they should ever have to. I know this from personal experience and not just 'academic' reasoning only. I also notice that those with drug dependency problems are good at living in denial. Another serious problem. Puerto Ricans in terms of political status are living in denial. They are. That Puerto Rico has an abnormally elevated amount of alcoholics and drug addicts is also related to that as well. The only way to cope with this super difficult situation is to realize working our butts off, taking personal responsibility, knocking out the influences of the imperialists, and creating our own laws and economic and social programs, working with other international governments, and doing a general 'detox' in our own society. And the ones who don't want to work, don't want to sacrifice, want to live in denial and who can't seem to understand that no 'outside' culture is going to do what is necessary and what is in the best interests of Puerto Rico need to go to the USA and get 'reality checked'. Where the lumpen from Puerto Rico is going to have to go compete with every other lumpen under the sun and have to realize that the problems in the world don't go away because they live in "America".

Until people accept that this rotten system we live in is not going to change unless we change it and the only way we can change things is by not drinking, not smoking, not taking drugs, not being in debt, or in vice, or with gambling, or video game playing, or entertainment only, and being present and being responsible, exercising, saving money, working hard and living to serve each other and not to TAKE from each other. To give more than receive and to be struggling for improvement til our very last breaths on earth. That is the only way anything gets better. Fantasies and lies and images and cynicism and ignorance will never be the way out of the mess.

All the people I have ever admired deeply have at least three inalterable human qualities without exception. They have always had 1. A sense of responsibility and 2. A deep sense of dignity and 3. A deep sense of self-respect. That is something that one can't have living with colonialism. You just can't. The system of colonization doesn't allow it.

Who are the druggies in this society? People who have lost their sense of responsibility and dignity and self-respect. The only way to get it back is to acknowledge it has been lost and to actively seek to bring it back with different choices. Choices that work. Otherwise, the ghost nation is coming. That is the truth.

I just want to say to people out there who always want to exile me and other 'independentistas' because we are pro independence to think about what kind of society they would want. What kind of individuals they would want in their society. A healthy society. They want people who are working, who are responsible, who avoid drugs and alcohol, who help others, who have great development and skills to offer the society and who can not only take care of themselves but of others who need to be taken care of like older people and children. I am one of those people. And they aren't as many of us in this society as one may hope there is. So before you tell the 'independentistas' they need to go here or there, think---'is this person productive member of society? Regardless of politics? Are they givers more than takers?' if the answer is yes. Then try to think of ways to help them remain in the society they are in. I know this. I am welcome in more than one nation on this Earth. Why? Because I am a productive member of society with skills that are needed in many places. So, before passing judgement for stupid reasons that are not important, reconsider what kind of people you want to remain in your society. A drug addict that is a Republican conservative politically? Or a socialist that is not a drug addict and works hard and is obviously educated? Think about it folks. Politics are not that important when you take into account the habits people have that effect the entire society. Everyone wants good people. Productive people. GIVERS and not TAKERS. that is what it is all about.