An Open Letter to President Obama
By: Celeste Benítez
Dear President Obama:
¡Bienvenido a Puerto Rico! As a life-long Democrat and former State Democratic Chair (1995-1997), it is indeed a pleasure to welcome you to our shores.
During your visit you will be discussing two mayor topics with our present leaders: the future of Puerto Rico’s political relations with the United States (status politics), and measures that should be taken to address our Island’s economic woes. Allow me a brief comment on both issues.
The recent report from your White House Task Force on Puerto Rico proposes the use of plebiscites to exercise our people’s right to self determination over our future political relationship with the United States. Such a process, stated the Task Force, should be “just” and “transparent”.
Governor Luis Fortuño, an active member of the GOP, is using his New Progressive Party’s (NPP) control of two thirds of the seats of both Houses of our Legislature to shamelessly pack the Island’s Supreme Court and to amend our Electoral Laws to benefit his chances to prevail in the event of close elections in 2011 and 2012.
As a former law Professor, you must have been appalled to know that Fortuño expanded the number of members of our Supreme Court from seven to a total of nine in order to permanently pack the court with pro-statehood members of the NPP. In 2009, following his 2008 election, the Governor named three militant members of his party to secure a 4-3 mayority in our highest court.
But that was not enough. In 2010 Fortuño signed a law to expand the number of Justices by two additional and unnecessary members. As a result, in two years he has named a total of six (6) Justices to secure an NPP 6-3 majority in our Supreme Court. It is not difficult to imagine the fate that awaits any lawsuit on electoral issues that may be brought before such a court.
In addition to such tactics, the Fortuño Legislature is in the process of unilaterally amending our Electoral Laws to increase the NPP’s control of electoral processes on the Island. So, how can one expect “justice” and “transparency” at the hands of such people?
I urge you, sir, to keep a close watch on Fortuño’s electoral shenanigans. I cannot imagine the President of the United States of America urging the Congress to act on plebiscite results that could be the outcome of a flawed process.
As to Puerto Rico’s economy, you are well aware of the difficult challenges that we face as the US jurisdiction with the very worst economic and social indicators. Our official 17% rate of unemployment is in part a consequence of the elimination of Section 936 of the US Internal Revenue Code, which provided attractive tax benefits to American companies that create jobs in Puerto Rico. The loss of such benefits has resulted in the loss of 75,000 well-paid direct jobs, lost forever.
Then Governor Pedro Rosselló and then Fomento Administrator Luis Fortuño were key players in the1996 elimination of Sec. 936. They understand that because incentives such as 936 are only possible under the current status of Commonwealth, these are an obstacle for Puerto Rico’s becoming a State of the Union. Therefore they say, “Off with their heads! Damn the torpedoes and full speed ahead!”
Statehood fundamentalists such as Fortuño have done incredible damage to Puerto Rico’s economy. Now is the time to prevent them from further harming our people’s best interests.
Mister President, we need your help not only to create incentives for American investment in Puerto Rico, but also to reinvigorate our agriculture, which has been languishing for too long. But the one area of economic development over which there is a practically universal consensus here, an Island where consensus is so very dificult to arrive at, is the exemption of Puerto Rico from the dispositions of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, also known as the Jones Act.
As a native Hawaiian, you know perfectly well the cost that using US-flag ships to transport all goods by water between US ports inflicts on the economies of Hawaii, Alaska, Guam and Puerto Rico. The Jones Act is is a protectionist measure, designed to support the U.S. Maritime Industry at the expense of millions of families in those jurisdictions.
In the past, you have supported the validity of the Jones Act. Would you be willing to reconsider your position of 2008 in order to do justice to millions of Hawaiians, Alaskans, Guamanians and Puerto Ricans?
Thank you for keeping the best interests of Puerto Rico at heart, and may God bless you abundantly as you continue to be the respected spokesperson for equality and justice to the whole world. Sincerely,
Celeste Benítez
June 8, 2011
I honestly think Puerto Rico and its second class citizens will move forward when they start getting off their knees and standup for their rights as US Citizens. There is only one way to see this, bottom line: Statehood is the solution to many things that are holding back Los Puertorriquenos that live in Puerto Rico. I have lived on both sides and I can talk about the big differences in benefits without even mentioning our congresional representation advantages as well as many other budget assignments, funds and social benefits for all ages, etc, etc. if we become a State and not continue as a Colony that is not getting us anywhere.
This is not about political preferences, its about our future generations. We have the obligation to support an agenda thats in the best interest of our people and not the personal agendas of those that want to maintain a “status quo” for their personal political advantages.
It is known to all that our actual political status does not work anymore, its like being in the mud. We must reach out and stand on dry land so we can move on to the future and make things better for all.
It is time to listen to what is right and meaningful. Put your thoughts, efforts and energy to defend and promote whats right for Puerto Rico. “STATEHOOD”
We respect your opinion, but we don’t think STATEHOOD is the option in a 21st century Tea Party Loving America. For someone who says you have lived on both sides, you cannot honestly believe that a Latino 51st state is politically viable right now in America. Here is a memo: Americans on the mainland don’t care about Puerto Ricans. They don’t even know we are citizens!
We believe in either Free Association or Independence. But to say Statehood is the best option is so misguided. I can give you tons of reasons but you can check out my archives and see why. Am not trying to convince you to change your mind, but I totally disagree with 100%. Wake up that colonial mind that has haunted us for 113 years.
As a Puerto Rican that has lived in the USA for over 50 years (came to the US after college to serve in the US Navy as a good American citizen!), I have to agree with Mr Varela. The US is not going to vote for Puerto Rico to become the 51st State. It is just not going to happen! The mentality that we are living with today is extremely ignorant, arrogant, prejudice and insensitive. Most people think that we are illegal aliens that should be deported or…simply, not good enough! ….Latinos do not serve tea in their parties!
President Obama has bend over backguards to negotiate issues that have had tremendous relevancy to the future of this country’s economy and future and has only found people on the other the aisle whos only agenda is “to get him and his little family out of the White House”; not to serve the urgent needs of the country!
Since I do not live in PR I do not feel that I should declare myself either an Estadista or an Independentista but clearly…the status quo is not the right answer for Puerto Rico as it stands today.
We agree! We have to be pragmatic about this.