Puerto Rico's moment in the Sun

[L_F_Miranda]

May 22, 2008, New York Times Op-Ed Contributor

Puerto Rico’s Moment in the Sun

By MICHAEL JANEWAY

PUERTO RICO, an afterthought trophy for the United States 110 years ago at the end of the Spanish-American War and an island in limbo since, has become an improbable player in the contest between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Its primary on June 1 could bolster Mrs. Clinton’s claim to a majority of the popular vote — the combined tally for all the Democratic primaries and caucuses held across the country over the past six months.

Puerto Rico’s formal role in the process is indeed weighty. Its 63 voting delegates — 55 elected ones and eight superdelegates — at the Democratic National Convention in Denver this summer will outnumber delegations from more than half the states (including Kentucky and Oregon) and the District of Columbia. Yet Puerto Rico does not have a vote in the Electoral College, nor will its 2.5 million registered voters cast ballots for president in November.

How in the world did this happen? From the beginning, the question of Puerto Rico has perplexed the United States. The island was essential to the defense of the Panama Canal, so we did not make it independent, in contrast to two other Spanish possessions we gained in the war, Cuba (which become independent in 1902) and the Philippines (1946). And we judged it foreign in language and culture — and worse, overpopulated — so New Mexico-style Americanization leading to statehood was out of the question.

Similarly, Puerto Ricans have never resolved their relationship with the United States. For almost 50 years after the Spanish-American War, Puerto Rican sentiment was divided between dreams of statehood and of independence. This ambivalence deterred the island from ever petitioning Congress for one or the other. And until mid-century, sporadic outbursts of violent nationalism haunted the scene.

Partly to put such extremism out of business, Congress in 1948 allowed Puerto Rico to elect its own governor and then in 1950 gave it an intricately designed, semi-autonomous “commonwealth” status short of statehood. Two years later, the island adopted its own Constitution, and Congress quickly ratified it.

Puerto Ricans elect their own Legislature, along with the governor. They enjoy entitlements like Social Security, but they do not pay federal income taxes. They retain their own cultural identity (Spanish is the prevailing tongue) but live under the umbrella of the American trade system and the American military. They have been citizens since 1917, but they have no vote in Congress or for the presidency.

The man who brought forth this unique arrangement, which has come to seem permanent, was Luis Muñoz Marín, who dominated Puerto Rico’s politics beginning in 1940. In 1948 he became the island’s first elected governor. He won three more terms and could easily have been “president for life.” A stretch of 116th Street in Manhattan’s Spanish Harlem is named Luis Muñoz Marín Boulevard in his honor.

Muñoz was an eloquent advocate of independence until, faced with daunting statistics at the end of World War II, he concluded that Puerto Rico’s impoverished economy could not support nationhood. So he began packaging his third-way brainchild.

When pitching commonwealth on the mainland, Muñoz — an artist of words and imagery who also enjoyed a drink or two — would observe that Puerto Rico is the olive in the American martini. The phrase went down well in Washington, but Muñoz used different language at home. Neither Congress nor the American courts have ever embraced Muñoz’s Spanish-language phrase for “commonwealth,” universally recognized in Puerto Rico: “estado libre asociado,” or free associated state. Those three words suggested an autonomy (or even statehood or independence) beyond what came to pass. But Muñoz was too popular on the island for that to cause him trouble.

Still, Muñoz always intended to bring “enhanced autonomy” in trade, self-governance, taxation and entitlements to Puerto Rico. But Fidel Castro’s seizure of power in Cuba in 1959 moved Washington’s attention away from the commonwealth.

Muñoz left office in 1965. His dreams faded. The economy he jump-started went flat. Today, the government accounts for 30 percent of Puerto Rico’s work force (compared with 16 percent on the mainland).

Then in 1974, the Democratic National Committee and some shrewd local political strategists came up with an idea for how to play to lingering discontent over the island’s status: Why not make nice with Puerto Rico (and, as important, with the Puerto Rican vote in American cities) by awarding it the number of delegates to the Democratic presidential nominating convention that its population would yield as a state? But not until this year has a presidential race been close enough, long enough, to yield Puerto Rico a role in the endgame.

On the island, politics is focused on the longstanding deadlock between the two dominant parties, whose identities — one is for statehood and one is for enhanced autonomy — today bear no relation to those of the Republicans and Democrats in the 50 states. Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Obama are, gingerly, bidding for support from both of them.

But the mainland population of Puerto Ricans (like the island’s, almost four million) is watching, too. That fully enfranchised constituency is up for grabs in November. Republicans have fished in these waters, too.

Presidential candidates usually offer Puerto Ricans hazy promises that are sure to be unfulfilled. First on the list: We’ll do whatever you want about the island’s status if you deliver us an overwhelming majority for one or another option. That’s not going to happen.

Since 1967, public support on the island has seesawed inconclusively between statehood and enhanced autonomy — a better version of the deal they already have. Muñoz’s commonwealth helped eclipse independence; that course enjoys only limited support today. An overwhelming majority of Puerto Ricans wants, one way or another, to be American.

The next president could just appoint another commission, more high-level and forceful than past ones, to reopen the dormant question of Puerto Rico’s status. But there is an additional option.

Fidel Castro is gone from office, Hugo Chávez’s influence is growing, Brazil is becoming an oil power, and the United States has no Latin American policy to speak of. John F. Kennedy wisely turned to Puerto Rican leaders to help him frame a new policy for the region in 1961. Similarly, the next president could ask Puerto Rico, with its democratic tradition and its past success with economic development, to help us plan for the post-Castro Caribbean.

The United States is overdue in re-engaging with this special place, which landed in our lap as a stepchild of imperialism in 1898, and which we have never seen clearly.

Michael Janeway, a former editor of The Boston Globe and a professor of journalism and arts at Columbia, is writing a history of the United States and Puerto Rico in the 20th century.

[JaneMas]

Puerto Ricans elect their own Legislature, along with the governor.

Rightfully so!

They enjoy entitlements like Social Security, but they do not pay federal income taxes.

Those who live in on the Island are exempted from paying federal income taxes unless they are federal employees, and by the way Island residents do pay social security and Medicare taxes!

They retain their own cultural identity (Spanish is the prevailing tongue) but live under the umbrella of the American trade system and the American military.

Live under the umbrella? As if by choice. Did she not know our trade is RESTRICTED? What is wrong with keeping our cultural identity?

That's the problem with some professors who try to side both ways, they intentionally leave out credible information to avoid coming across as "taking sides", rather than stating the facts!

[L_F_Miranda]

First of all Jane and readers, Did any of you analyze the title: Puerto Rico's Moment in the Sun?

MMMMMMMMM A Freudian Slip?

Have we been living in the dark until recently noticed by the Gringo sun?

Do they have the right to give us light and take it away at will? LOL

One thing Michael Janeway has right is when he says:

"An overwhelming majority of Puerto Ricans wants, one way or another, to be American."

However being American for Puerto Ricans is not what Michael Janeway thinks it is. We don't want to become Gringos, speak English or follow weirdo pastors that have a disdain for science and intellectual persuits.

We just want American Citizenship to continue with the gravy train like.

1-Section 8

2-PAN

3-Becas Pell

4-SSI dibility checks

5-No child left behind funds, which have made our kids dumber

6-A Tax Rebate, without paying Federal income tax. ¡QUE GUAME! Let the Gringos pay!

7- And any free hand out that falls our way. Did I forget any?

By the way 60% of Puerto Ricans depend on most, if not all of the above. That is what wanting to be American is all about.

In addition:

1-Being able to travel to Disney and work in the states without a visa.

2-Having a safety net to fall upon just in case the planet falls into an economic depression.

3-And in the case of being granted Statehood, continue speaking Spanish and still having more political power that 27 anglo-Speaking states!

¿Y a quien le amarga un dulce?

[JaneMas]

We just want American Citizenship to continue with the gravy train like.

1-Section 8

As long as jobs stay at minimum wage, or lack there of, section 8 (many middle/upper class white people are under the Mitchell Lama Housing Program) will continue to be a prevention of homelessness.

2-PAN

? Explain

3-Becas Pell

? Explain

4-SSI dibility checks

Wrong! No SSI in PUERTO RICO!

5-No child left behind funds, which have made our kids dumber

A Republican failed program that should of never came to be.

6-A Tax Rebate, without paying Federal income tax. ¡QUE GUAME! Let the Gringos pay!

Wait a minute! If we can send our troops to fight in an unjust war to die for nothing and not have the right to vote and be limited to world and domestic trade what's wrong with getting 600 bucks from a government who wastes billion/trillions of dollars every year?

7- And any free hand out that falls our way. Did I forget any?

By the way 60% of Puerto Ricans depend on most, if not all of the above. That is what wanting to be American is all about.

Wow, so white families in WV, Kentucky or any of the states (which you do not criticize) who may or may not have any children in Iraq deserve to benefit from any or all of the above while the puerto rican families who have sent their children to war for the past 110 years should refuse any to not appear needy/greedy/beggars?

[L_F_Miranda]

I'm more surprised that you rationalize our dependency then actually say, "Yes we have to do something about this and set us on the road of breaking away from this Mantengo", which is actually funded by the U.S. tax payer.


"As long as jobs stay at minimum wage, or lack there of, section 8 (many middle/upper class white people are under the Mitchell Lama Housing Program) will continue to be a prevention of homelessness."


Mitchell Lama is NOT section 8! It was a temporary program of tax subsidies for developers to "temporary" house middle income, MIDDLE INCOME, tenants. Its being phased out as the developers pay off their mortages, specially in Manhattan and higher income areas of Brooklyn. Vacant apartments are now being sold on the open market, and if tenants want , they can buy them at inflated prices, or be kicked out.

Wait a minute! If we can send our troops to fight in an unjust war to die for nothing and not have the right to vote and be limited to world and domestic trade what's wrong with getting 600 bucks from a government who wastes billion/trillions of dollars every year?


Actually, no one is sending Puerto Ricans to fight in Iraq these days, they go willingly OR have been decieved because they joined "La Guardia Nacional" in order to get PX benefits and other goodies. They didn't count on the Iraq war.

In the past there surely was an injustice, but as long as we tolerated the colonial system for it's mantengo, this was the price we had to pay, or is it that you think we would get a free ride POR "DAME ACÁ ESTAS PAPAS."

Bottomline, We're just afraid to swim with the sharks and therefore we have to face the consequences of our fears, one is being "Carne de Cañón". Until we collectively realize that, it will continue.

Wow, so white families in WV, Kentucky or any of the states (which you do not criticize) who may or may not have any children in Iraq deserve to benefit from any or all of the above while the puerto rican families who have sent their children to war for the past 110 years should refuse any to not appear needy/greedy/beggars?[/quote][/size]

Yes , but they ARE AMERICANS and are responsible for their leaders and get what they vote for.

By your standards we deserve to be taken care of even though it screws us up and turns us into Native Americans or Hawaiians, people on perpetual welfare who have lost all their dignity but are able to get drunk, go to Wal-Mart and buy their hearts content on checks given to them as a bonus for just being quiet, keep to themselves, don't rock the boat and be just "agradecidos."

[JaneMas]

L_F_Miranda:
I'm more surprised that you rationalize our dependency then actually say, "Yes we have to do something about this and set us on the road of breaking away from this Mantengo", which is actually funded by the U.S. tax payer.

JM:
Rationalize? As if there is no reason why? To break the dependancy you have to get rid of the cause and replace it with something worth their dignity, not attack the people.

"As long as jobs stay at minimum wage, or lack there of, section 8 (many middle/upper class white people are under the Mitchell Lama Housing Program) will continue to be a prevention of homelessness."

Mitchell Lama is NOT section 8! It was a temporary program of tax subsidies for developers to "temporary" house middle income, MIDDLE INCOME, tenants. Its being phased out as the developers pay off their mortages, specially in Manhattan and higher income areas of Brooklyn. Vacant apartments are now being sold on the open market, and if tenants want , they can buy them at inflated prices, or be kicked out.

That may be your experience. The purpose of Mitchell Lama was to build affordable housing (or acquire buildings) for middle-income residents supervised under HPD/HUD. Is this not part of HUDs many section 8/subsidized programs? Or does middle income housing vs low income housing determine who is a needy person? Both are SUBSIDIZED and in need. Mitchell Lama is one of many programs where an apt can be bought as a co-op (a share), (not condo aka physical ownership), yet many are still rentals. Mitchell Lama waiting list:HPD - Apartment Seekers - Mitchell-Lama Housing

Wait a minute! If we can send our troops to fight in an unjust war to die for nothing and not have the right to vote and be limited to world and domestic trade what's wrong with getting 600 bucks from a government who wastes billion/trillions of dollars every year?

Actually, no one is sending Puerto Ricans to fight in Iraq these days, they go willingly OR have been decieved because they joined "La Guardia Nacional" in order to get PX benefits and other goodies. They didn't count on the Iraq war.

In the past there surely was an injustice, but as long as we tolerated the colonial system for it's mantengo, this was the price we had to pay, or is it that you think we would get a free ride POR "DAME ACÁ ESTAS PAPAS."

Bottomline, We're just afraid to swim with the sharks and therefore we have to face the consequences of our fears, one is being "Carne de Cañón". Until we collectively realize that, it will continue.

No one is sending PRs to fight? If a PR is in the service he or she like everyone else is sent to fight. Heck as long as the government is giving away a tiny chunk of our tax dollars why should PRs be the only ones to stand and say no thank you when they have been getting the short end of the stick for 110 years?

Of course they are afraid. 110 years of impose > fear of communism and psychological inability to lead can do some damage.

Wow, so white families in WV, Kentucky or any of the states (which you do not criticize) who may or may not have any children in Iraq deserve to benefit from any or all of the above while the puerto rican families who have sent their children to war for the past 110 years should refuse any to not appear needy/greedy/beggars?[/size]

Yes , but they ARE AMERICANS and are responsible for their leaders and get what they vote for.

By your standards we deserve to be taken care of even though it screws us up and turns us into Native Americans or Hawaiians, people on perpetual welfare who have lost all their dignity but are able to get drunk, go to Wal-Mart and buy their hearts content on checks given to them as a bonus for just being quiet, keep to themselves, don't rock the boat and be just "agradecidos."

What does my comment above have to do with asking to be taken care of forever? Where have I said or implied any such nonsense? Are you truly comparing the ending result of Puerto Rican self determination to that of the Native American diaspora in this day and age? Now your going in another direction. Ok. How about this: Do you think the Puerto Rican people of today are the original Boricuas when Colon arrived over 500 years ago? Of course you don't which falters your view above. How do you think those Tainos felt when our ancestors took over? Or when a blue eye Boricua addresses un Indio Boricua like he's less than? Boricuas, like all geographical communities are constantly being RE-PEOPLED through migration/immigration and taking on a new face generation after generation. The fact is the PR of today will not be the PR of tomorrow and neither will NY, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Miami, Tampa, Chicago, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, Hawaii, Dubai, London, etc have the same demographics. The big change in PR that is changing the Boricua culture as we knew it is happening from within > in the form of Reguetón in lyrical psychological gullibility and the increase of la falta de respeto by their own free will, both which are changing the Puerto Rican way of life as we knew it, not by some North American imposition.

The word "America/no/n" does not belong to the U.S.A. It was used in the early 1800s by Puerto Ricans identifying themselves as "Americanos" (geographically) on a piece of paper nailed to a door as a warning against foreign invaders. I remember this historical note so well I can find it for you in 15 seconds in my closed book.

15 seconds:

"Puerto Rico was given a sudden dash of civil rights after Napoleon invaded Spain and deposed Fernando VII in 1808. The Spanish provinces rebelled and formed juntas under the Supreme Junta of Cadiz. A few Spanish leaders convened to rule in the name of the King, thus giving birth to the Spanish Cortes. The Cortes asked Spain's colonies to elect and send representatives to help draft a new constitution. Puerto Rico, one of the few colonies to cooperate, chose Ramon Power y Giralt, a liberal reformer who had traveled extensively and studied in France and Spain.

Meanwhile, Spain tried to recruit Puerto Rico's militia for attacks against rebels in Venezuela. But one night, Antonio Cortabarria, a Spanish official sent to the island for that purpose, found a paper nailed to his door that read"

"This people, although docile enough to obey authority, will never permit one single American to be taken off to fight against its brothers in Caracas."

[L_F_Miranda]

Jane said:

Rationalize? As if there is no reason why? To break the dependancy you have to get rid of the cause and replace it with something worth their dignity, not attack the people.

Jane, to get rid of the cause we HAVE TO start somewhere. I have a feeling you think I am accusing the victims. However the victims have some fault. We have to accept that there is a problem, not rationalize it with "Ay benditos, that we're victims."

Puerto Ricans are ADDICTED to MANTENGO, and like all addicts must go through a cold turkey period of withdrawl. You seem to want your cake and eat it too, it doesn't work that way. Its either cut it off or become Native Americans or Hawaiians, "agradecidos", drunkards, on welfare for eternity and used by the tourist deparment for entertaining tourists.

Jane said:


The purpose of Mitchell Lama was to build affordable housing (or acquire buildings) for middle-income residents supervised under HPD/HUD. Is this not part of HUDs many section 8/subsidized programs?

It used to be like that a long time ago, not anymore.

About Mitchell Lama bylaws, "EL PAPEL AGUNATA TODO LO QUE LE PONGAN. Mitchell Lama housing is being phased out, specially in higher income areas. Apartments are going on the open market. Its either buy them now or be kicked out! If its not your experience, Where do you live?

Now I do have to agree with you that Mitchell Lama's in outlaying areas are being tolerated, but their days are numbered. As mid-middle income Whites are pushed out from the center city they will look for housing where lower middle income minorities live. Its already happening. Dominicans are being pushed out from LOS SURES. The Mitchell Lama's there are gradually being populated by whites. "Friquitines" and "bodegas" are being re-placed by botiques, bistros and young whites walking their dogs and riding bicycles. Where are Hispanics going? I dunno. Florida?


Heck as long as the government is giving away a tiny chunk of our tax dollars why should PRs be the only ones to stand and say no thank you when they have been getting the short end of the stick for 110 years?

Duhhhhhhhh Island Ricans don't pay federal taxes and are getting a free ride for nothing, transforming us into perpetual Welfare recipients! In fact its becoming part of out national PSYCHE. The thinking is, we deserve handouts, we need them and can't live without them.

Yes corporations are making a killing on the island, thus a rationalization for taking the handouts. However its a sorry excuse and thus perpetuates our disgraceful dependency. Now if you live in the states and file income tax like Suki, Sonambulo, RPR and yourself, you re indeed ENTITLED to Mantengo if you need it!

The word "America/no/n" does not belong to the U.S.A. It was used in the early 1800s by Puerto Ricans identifying themselves as "Americanos"

Common Jane, Everybody on THIS PLANET knows very well what AMERICAN means. Statehooders back in the 60's tried to rationalize that we were all Americans from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, However this Cliché is worn out .

When referring to AMERICANS, it's GRINGOS! Either Black gringos, Nuyoricans, Asian Gringos, Chicano Gringos, Cuban Gringos, all GRINGOS!

When referring to others, its Venezuelans, Colombians, Dominicans, Boricuas etc. etc.