So, this interview from Fox Business’ Varney and Co. with Puerto Rico Secretary of Commerce José Pérez-Riera is quite telling. The level of ignorance from the American media is sad. Let’s get this straight: you can disagree with Pérez-Riera, but the interviewers should at least respect the guy. When will Puerto Ricans wake up and demand that the US media be more respectful to Puerto Ricans? This has gone beyond politics, this should now be about Puerto Ricans banding together and saying that they will no longer be treated like the little colony that the US media has portrayed them to be.
Now, people laughed at me when I wrote the following piece last year called Why Puerto Rico Will Never Become the 51st State. My main argument is that there are many Americans (especially those in the conservative media) who have no clue about Puerto Rico and actually don’t want Puerto Rico to become a state.
Americans will never accept a flag with 51 stars in it
Well, this latest clip from Fox News Business just confirms my original thesis. Wake up, Puerto Rico, the United States media does not care about the status question. And Pérez-Riera is a pro-statehooder whose leader is a Republican governor. It is bizarre, but it does not surprise me any more.
By the way, the news has been spreading around the island.
In my several encounters with republicans, consider it fortunate that they are familiar with the island’s name at all, let alone its location geographically. They are the first to call Puerto Rico a dump, despite the fact they have never visited (Let alone stepped outside their rural town). Last, but certainly not least, they are not familiar with the term commonwealth and believe Puerto Ricans are foreigners. I do not believe this has anything to do with lack of advertising as this information is taught in depth in American History/Social Studies at the elementary level through high school throughout this nation (I attended several public schools in several states by way of being a United States Naval brat). The lack of knowledge, is, however, related to ignorance, stupidity, bigotry and racism. Please note that this information is only being related as my personal experience having lived in FL, GA, MS, TN, CA. VA, AZ & PA. In conclusion, it’s Fox News Business, not sure you can expect much in the way of simple courtesy let alone intelligence.
Thanks for posting this interview. Fox is the voice of the Republican Party.
The vision that pro-statehood is an equivalent to “give me money, I want your money” initially struck me as insulting. On second thought, that could be the image that Governor Fortuño and Resident Commisioner Pierluisi project.
It begs the question: isn’t begging for money what they do in Congress?
Unlike Perez-Riera, the Governor nor the Resident Commissioner seldom, if ever, mention human rights nor equality, when they advocate for Statehood for Puerto Rico. I do not follow their discussion closely, I may be wrong. Could you comment on this?
At least one of the news medias is talking about the situation in PRico. Did tough questions get asked? Yes. Were they fair questions? I say when you are expecting taxpayers to send hard earned money to support PRico then yes, they were fair questions. Equally, I was glad to see Mr. Secretary of Commerce answer truthfully about wanting the extra $20 billion dollars that PRico would receive if it became a state. If PRico is going to win the hearts and minds of Americans they must be willing to go through a tough vetting process. Soft interviews gain the respect of no one. I think Perez-Riera handle the questions pretty well and provided excellent reasons why PRico should become a state. Unfortunately, as the interviewer pointed out, the US has no money to give.
There are tough interviews and then there is a complete lack of professionalism and respect. Varney crossed the line on this one. I agree with your comments about it, but not how Varney handled it.
What, that he kept pressing the question regarding the money? I think if he hadn’t the Secretary would never have answered the question. If you have been watching the Presidential debates you would see how rough the President was treated. I wish all reporters would press politicians to answer the question asked and not let them talk about what they want to talk about.
Honestly that entire interview was bogus… the guy came prepared for a normal politics debate and encountered an economics debate, very unfair… But seriously it just makes me angry how Americans think of PR, they think PR are is poor with nothing to contribute.
Man I wish they would have brought an economist to that fight, but clearly they wanted an unfair fight. Just in brief, and if the politicians would do the research they would know that Puerto Rico is larger economically (GDP $93b) and population (3.7m) wise than at least 10 states in the mainland such as Mississippi, New Mexico, Vermont, Alaska, New Hampshire and others. Yes, by becoming a state PR would get more federal funds, BUT Puerto Rico by becoming part of the union would also pay the US at least $5 billion in income tax, that currently PR does not pay federal income tax, plus additional corporate taxes and other federal taxation that currently does not happen. Yes PR would get more help, but it would also pay more. This interview is a one sided fight and this is why this grinds my gears… the unfairness of this whole situation and how Americans view PR.
Certainly flyboy56 either works for Fox or you do not know what your talking about. Asking questions? It is the way you ask them. Do not make the mistake that we are simple. If it would had been a black republican from Alabama they (FOX) whould had passed coffee and sing amazing grace. We have more respect for the skin heads at least they don’t deny what they are.
The leaders of the New Progresive Party in P.R. for years have told the members of the party that statehood would be a lake of money where they would be able to swim.They always talk about the two senators and possibly 6 representatives in congress,also the right to vote for the president but never about all the obligations of being a state. A great number of them are aware of the truth but keep quiet because if their voters new the real truth perhaps would not vote for them or what they stand for.
Everyone is aware that the term “progressive” is associated with the liberal left wing Democratic party in the U.S. And here you have a so called conservative Republican party promising the things a typical Democrat would promise. Hmmm…maybe the NPP aren’t so conservative after all. Just calling themselves Republicans so they can wrap themselves in the U.S. flag. But after PRico becomes a state, the majority of the voters will run to the Democratic party making PRico as blue a state as Massachusetts throwing the balance of power in favor of the Democratic party. Hey, isn’t this what concerns Glen Beck?
This is nothing new to PR who live in the US, but I am sure it is to those who live in PR. I remember when my family came visiting from PR few months back, and I showed them articles and videos of different US networks touching the topic of statehood it becomes unfavorable for those who support state, they looked at me with serious face as if they were unaware of how US media portrays the status. I often say that PNP works the statehood angle to garner votes and tend come to the US to get sympathy from the public but as always to no avail.
In regards to the video, I don’t have a problem with the question because it is a valid question, and the answer was generic at best, but the tone is very foxish, but it does represent what MOST people think of the situation in PR.
Now this can be resolved by simple IF and big IF any PR political Party that creates a good economy plan in exchange for Ind. I believe the US would have jumped on that ship before jumping into the statehood ship. I believe that the US would lean towards that then to fully back statehood. Unfortunately PIP does not do a good job emphasizing their economic plan and putting the status ahead of the current issues in PR.
I agree with you d on the Independent angle of providing a clear plan to a better economy. No one can argue with this. The only problem I see with PRico becoming Independent is the loss of US citizenship. After over 100 years of strong ties with each other, cultures/families are starting to blend. I know many PRicans hate to hear this but it is a very natural course that cannot be prevented. Some are trying to delay this natural occurrence but it is inevitable.
Great post. Great blog. These guys talk down to us, its so obvious the disrespect they have for Puerto Ricans.
“YOU’RE the “entitled bastard” if you think companies that go to PUERTO RICO AREN’T there for OUR needs, if not, they have NO freaking right to BE there!!!” The PaganSun
Maybe statements like this coming from a New York PRican now living in Spain is why so many Americans are leery of PRico’s real desire to become a state. It’s that sense of entitlement that just annoys so many people. Just take the time and read what this guy is saying. This, in my opinion, is a very unrealistic view of the real world where the majority of the population will have to work for a company to make a living. I have to wonder if this guy has a job?
Now I know we made our “peace” but I never responded to this one. I was born in NY but was raised in NJ. If Texas and Virginia aren’t the same, don’t assume NY and NJ are. And maybe the same could be said for white Americans that apparently hate our culture, history, and Spanish language but sure enjoy the tax free benefits (FYI those tax free crap was more as an incentive for bringing in AMERICAN companies and not for helping the average Puerto Rican worker thus why we went from mostly agriculutre to the leading pharmeceuticals industry in the world). So those who want to liv in a state or make PR more “American” can hop on a plane or boat for their beloved Texas or whatever Republican licking southern state they choose but leave PUERTO RICAN politics in the hands of actual Puerto Ricans. Do Texans allow Puerto Ricans a say in THEIR policies?! HA, yeah I didn’t think so! But studies show that TEXAS is the #1 state for governement hand outs (somehwere in the 50% I read) not Puerto Ricans who’s “hand-outs” mostly come in the form of payment reimbursements. Yet you’ve also been the one who desires to give these truly free loading southern states more automony.
That’s the white mentality alright. It’s ok for Texas but not Latin American Puerto Rico, right? Plus why does Northern Marianana Islands get SSI and PR?! Are people ralllying against THEM?!
It’s the white entitlement I have a problem with. As I pointed out MANY more states (especially Texas) get more “hand-outs” than PR yet these are the states that also want more “freedom” from the “big bad” government so why is it ok for Texas to free load (lol even other countries like Israel that only gave the USA more problems than benefits) yet still keep their guns and Conferderate flags and no one gives a damn yet PR has to defend its right to keep Spanish and culture?!?! That’s the biggest BS I’ve ever heard. And people need to watch out who they’re calling “free loaders” since the USA makes a lot more money from PR than it lets on!
In Re: Citizenship, I believe that Dual Citizenship would be the answer to this problem. If PR was to become Ind. the US would not revoked US citizenship to those who have it already. See:Afroyim v. Rusk Case. In PR what would occur is a migration to the US with out the process of VIsa since technically you still consider US citizenship. Their would be a process of 10 years from commonwealth to Ind. after 10 years then you become full citizen of PR, most PR in US have relatives so those families can sponsor those who live in PR and dual citizenship can be obtained.
See Article http://www.us-immigration.com/blog/learn-how-us-dual-citizenship-works
it would explain more on how dual citizenship works, since we do have a decent relationship with the US then I am sure that in PR dual citizenship is allowed as long as you do have residence here and in US such as family members.
Wow! The interviewer was ignorant and mean! I don’t think many Americans know much about Puerto Rico and that’s sad!
Pretty telling.
One person, 315 million Americans. Yep, you finally have Americans all figured out. Why would polling organizations need to poll several thousand people to come up with a consensus when they can use your method.
Many Americans don’t know much about their own home state. Be careful what you wish for though for if most American did know how much of their taxes are coming here to support the island they just might storm the Congress.
You really make me laugh sometimes, Flyboy! What about how much money is going to support gun-toting, homo bashng, bull riding, racist, free loading Texas?!?! That state that apparently wants to be free from the big bad USA again?!?! I think you’d be sorely surprised how much money THEY get from their “enemy”, the governemnt yet I still have yet to see you derail them while you’re still sipping tropical drinks from my island that you keep bashing. At least I left the USA when I had a problem with it, you have a problem with PR yet continue to stay. Why?! Go to Hawaii if you want state isalnd living. PR isn’t for sale and willcontinue to support the Democrats who actually give a damn about our culture and not these “We’re a Melting Pot but only if you speak English” Republican fools.
Seriously…take a better look at ALL the numbers. How much PR pays in other taxes, how much the USA gains from keeping military bases in PR, how much the more autonomy wanting southern states get (and yet how poor they still are), etc. You’ll be quite shocked that we’re not as “free loading” as we seem and your precious USA isn’t as “generous” nor “noble” as they want to appear.
If more people in northern states realize how much tax paying money goes to the separatist south, I’m sure they’d storm Congress too. I know I’d like to.
And how many direct questions did it take before the Secretary answered the question? You could see he did not want to answer it. Why would anyone have a problem with politicians being forced to answer tough questions? Some how I get the feeling if it had been Fortuno being asked tough questions most everyone here would be laughing at his uneasiness. Are you prepared to have your dirty laundry aired in Washington? If not, then maybe you should back away from becoming a state.
BBasically, people need to be respectful and polite. No one feels comfortable talking about money. But I’m damn sure they wouldn’t address Bush, Obama, or any other white representative like that.
“Dirty laundry” will be aired whether in Washington or not, but the problem with most politics/economical discussions is the lack of respect. WHy should we Latinos/Puerto Ricans respect white American leaders or white Americans if they don’t return the favor?! If they think this the way they think they’ll win us over, maybe independence is closer than it looks.
flyboy56
Many Americans don’t know much about their own home state. Be careful what you wish for though for if most American did know how much of their taxes are coming here to support the island they just might storm the Congress.
flyboy……Por favor educa a los gringos,que se enteren,eso seria grandioso…Que viva Pueto Rico Libre …aunque sea por que nos abandonan!!!
Y por cierto me encanta el video.es bueno que todo el que quiere a PR como estado pase ese tipo de verguenza …..
Independientemente de la política, quienes deberían sentir vergüenza son los directores de Fox News por respaldar tan monumental acto de racismo y discriminación del ignorante e imbecil presentador del programa. Esa fue una entrevista con una agenda específica: lacerar la imagen de los puertorriqueños. Deberíamos de unirnos y repudiar públicamente la discriminación de esa emisora. Los puertorriqueños han aportado mucho a la libertad que todos los ciudadanos americanos disfruta. Tanto en las guerras, las ciencias, los negocios, así como la economía en general. No se olviden que el mercado de importación de bienes y servicios de Estados Unidos hacia Puerto Rico es uno de sus más importante. Si bien es cierto que el gobierno federal invierte fuertemente en la isla, no es menos cierto que los puertorriqueños somos grandes consumidores que compramos mayormente del mercado y sistema financiero de ellos mismos. Si fuéramos tan malos para la economía de la nación, nos seguirían ayudando? Somos un gran negocio y también el más grande paradigma politico de esa gran potencia mundial. No existe necesidad de minimizar nuestra relevancia histórica. Me parece que los conservadores siente temor que decidamos quien podría ser el presidente desde esta islita, y eso para su orgullo egocentrista, es una espinita en el corazón. Total que sí supieran como resolver el problema político que Puerto Rico les representa, ya lo hubieran hecho. Ese grupito, que son la inmensa minoría, no representan necesariamente el sentir de la mayoría del pueblo estadounidense. Por eso tratan de manipular la opinión pública.
We should demand more respect from the media. they need to be educated.
More respect from the media??? Now that’s funny. The whole world is asking that.
Just So you know, WHEN INVADED by the US without invitation, Puerto Rico was granted Autonomy as a Province of Spain, by now we would have been part of Spain as we had ALWAYS wanted to be, being part of the European Union and buying cheap American products because of a stronger EURO. But NO, Americans and specially Republicans started playing World Police and robbed us of our path, sent us to their wars, while discriminating against us all the way and now they don’t want to pay what all US citizens are entitled to?…but yet still want to spend billions perhaps trillions a year playing the unwanted and unsolicited World Police game?…you have no face nor shame to signal nor criticize. Just so you know there are many countries in the world that are way better than the US and their neither white nor american…which by the way American refers to ALL the peoples from the AMERICAS whether North or South…bigots.
“My main argument is that there are many Americans (especially those in the conservative media) who have no clue about Puerto Rico and actually don’t want Puerto Rico to become a state.” Julito
Trust me, conservative media does have a clue about PRico and what they know is that if PRico does become a state it will be another true blue Democratic state voting strongly for any and all Democratic candidates, especially the President. If statehood status was not attached to the Republican party here in PRico the vast majority of the party members would turn Democratic. And if PRico becomes a state, and when all the statehood hoopla dies down, you will also see the vast majority of the Republican party jump to the Democratic party. The conservatives know this and will do everything they can to prevent PRico from becoming a state. It’s about power, not racism as so many on this site try to make it out to be. It’s called “the ol’ Tennessee ruse” and it will not work this time. The Republican congress will be on to it.
I understand the Republicans arguments. It is true; the NPP and it officials just want the money from statehood. They does not care for any rights at all, actually they constanly violates our Constitutional Rights, both federal and local ones. My question is: If Puerto Rico is sucking american money, as Republicans claim, and US economy is in so bad shape, why don’t you (US Government) just get the hell out of here? Let us be a free country and stop crying! Puerto Rico was, and still is, an invaded country. Puerto Rico is the oldest colony of the world (around 400 years by Spain, and 114 years by USA), we are American Citizens because US Congress decided it, without our consent; we wnt to WWI, WWII, Corea, Viet Nam, and other wars, without our consent. At the end, your Congress is the one who does not want to change that, and I’m going to explain why. USA sent to PR, by 2008-09, around 4.6 billion dollars in benefits like SS, student grants, military and federal retirement, etc. and recived from the Island around 71.6 billion dollars on taxes, buisness income, sales to PR, coastal shipping, among other incomes. This pattern is repeated every year, with different numbers but the proportions are virtually the same. At the end we (PR) is a big customer to the US. Then, who needs who?
What many of you don’t know is Puerto Rican economy boost US economy with 98.6 billions. when they just give back to us not even a third. and they force us to trade just with them
I just want you to know:
This is the 1st time that statehood has been passed in P.R. And I think that means something. 4 times P. Ricans have voted on this, and each time(except this one) they have been against it. I think they deserve this and I think it should happen. Just my opinion. And I really hope P.R. gets it. 🙂
Dear Megan, thanks for your good thougths but in reality, statehood did not won the 6th of november referendum with a large margin. The real numbers are: 45.05 percent for statehood, 24.56 percent for sovereing association, 4.09 percent for independence and 26.30 percent were voted blank as a protest. The last percent was not included on the official statistical data. That’s the reason why statehood apparently won with 61.13 percent over the other options. As in other ocations (1993 and 1998), the Congress are not going to move anything on Puerto Rico’s status and President Obama certainly coud not do anything, because the results are not conclusive. On the other hand, with a split Congress, and the economy issues at front, for both Puerto Rico is just an echo in the distance. Even if we had chosen independence with a 98 percent of the votes, the US Congress would do nothing. Good vibes, my friend!
Thanks for posting this and it just confirms that the “protest” vote really did not achieve its end goal, and like I argue in my later piece, this strategy was a failure for the PPD and the new governor-elect. Now the American media is running with the news that PR wants statehood and AGP’s desire to reject the results because he doesn’t agree with them will be seen as the same old politics on the island. I still do not understand why, if the vote was non-binding and doesn’t matter, the PPD and AGP just told people that the goal was to defeat statehood. The REAL RESULT is that Puerto Ricans rejected the status quo, which many thought would not happen and it did. So now the PPD and AGP are in a bind: defend a status quo that was rejected and defend a status option no one chose. We can get into the weeds of the plebiscite’s history and how it was set up and how it was truly a big gamble by Fortuño, but the optics of it all is this: AGP and PPD lost control of the status agenda and now statehood is entering the dialogue on the mainland. They lost twice on this one, in my opinion. Thanks again for the comment!
True my friend the Popular Democratic Party lost, and AGP won the electio for 0.5%, for me that was just luck. My point with the plebiscite is that even we dislike the colonial status (whish is the real result, as you said), and the statehood won the plebiscite, with whatever percent, things are goin to remain the same. I’m not a member of any electoral party, I do not even vote (by principles), so I’m not defending any of them, I’m just analizing a non-binding electoral event. From my point of view, if some day there’s a dialogue on the Congress about this,the results that could be considered and maybe taken seriously, are going to be the Yes/No question results. On the other hand, if the 61.13% supossedly gain by the statehood option is ever considered on Congress, the Republican side will use this against the Democrat side for their own agenda. At the end, the discussions about it, will be sterile and Puerto Rico will remain as the oldest colony on the world.
EXCUSE ME BUT THE REAL PERCENTAGES ARE ON THE 1ST PAGE! 56% WANT CHANGE AND 46% DO NOT WANT CHANGE! THAT IS NOT A CLEAR 2/3 MAJORITY CONGRESS IS LOOKING FOR! PAGE 2 REPRESENTS ONLY THOSE 56% ON PAGE ONE THAT WANT CHANGE! YOU CANNOT IGNORE THE 46% OF THE VOTERS WHO WANT TO KEEP THE STATUS QUO. SO TYPICAL OF PEOPLE WHO CHOOSE TO FILTER OUT WHAT THEY DO NOT WANT TO KNOW!
AND I APOLOGIZE FOR YELLING BUT I CANNOT BELIEVE HOW MANY PEOPLE SEE ONLY WHAT THEY CHOOSE TO SEE WHICH ONLY SERVES TO MISLEAD THE MASSES. EVEN CNN INTERPRETED THE RESULTS INCORRECTLY. WAS IT INTENTIONAL OR JUST PLAIN STUPID?
Flyboy56; you are on the right track. The pro-statehood promoters intentionally used an interpretation which could help their cause, it is not stupidity at all.
I must clarify something here about the plebiscite’s results. As I’ve explained before, there are blank votes that were not considered, but there are other issues.
First: the very design of the plebiscite promoted confusion on the people. Second: the Elections Commission did not educated the voters and it’s “educational campaign” started too late in the year, again promoting confusion. Third: the different factions inside the pro-statehood promoters campaigned as if this were a primary election. One side were asking for a vote under the “No” plus a vote for statehood, and the other asking for a vote under the “Yes” plus the statehood, claiming that a vote against the “commonwealth” will produce an “image”, on congressmen’s minds, that Puerto Rico wanted the independence and, as a result, the Social Security as well as the Health Care will be gone, and other kind of lies. This group, headed by Cuban refugees, identify the commonwealth as “been inside the Great Corporation”, and they did not wanted to change that “relationship”. Forth: the group which promoted the sovereign association asked the voters of the Popular Democratic Party (PDP) and other pro-sovereignty parties’ members to vote “No” plus sovereignty. We must recognize that here are a lot of people that prefer a transitional status than independence, based on the idea that independence is the rupture of the relationship with the US Government, the loss of the citizenship for everybody and any kind of buisness treaties. Fifth, and the less important, is the boicot proposed by PDP ‘s President, García Padilla, at the very end of the campaign, asking for a vote under “Yes” and to leave the other question blank.
If we take this information, and use it as variables on the formula, we must find that all the results are useless for a real change of status. On one side you got a 46% in favor of the colony that is contaminated with votes of dumb old baby boomers that really wants, in their hearts, for Puerto Rico to became the 51st state but, at the same time, thought they were “protecting” their SS and Medic Aid benefits by voting for the status quo. On the other side we got the votes of the hardcore Popular Democratic Party members and in the middle you got the confused people that did not know how to vote and did it for “Yes”, out of fear of the unknown (of course I’m speculating on this one).
The 54% gained by the “No”, is the result of a combination of the New Progressive Party members votes, the pro-sovereign association and pro-independence voters. Outside this numbers are 64,745 votes in blank, that could mean anything, but I think is the result of the confusion generated during the campaign and the boicot asked by García Padilla.
If you compare the results of the first question with the ones on the second, the difference between “No” and the statehood option is 133,442 votes, and it is impossible for all pro-statehood voters and, at the same time, all the pro-sovereign association and pro-independence voters also voted for the “No” option. If this were true, the number of votes shoud be equal to the total of votes on the second question. The only explanation, for me at least, to this is that the “Yes” must have gain votes from uninformed pro-statehood voters. The same thing must had happened with the pro-sovereign association option. I’m pretty sure that a considerable number of the voters for this option, voted for “Yes” on the first question, because they are part of the PDP, and then sovereign association. As an example of this, the elected Mayor for the Capital, Carmen Yulín Cruz, voted that way.
This are my reasons to think that the Yes/No question on the plebiscite is the “closer” thing to a real claim for a change, because by the circunstances the results should be the opposite. But, I have to recognize that 54% is not a strong number to move things in Congress.
At the end, we got nothing and Congress, as you say, got nothing to work with. Anyway, from my point of view, the Congress would do nothing about Puerto Rico’s status, even if we vote 100% in favor for a change on status, until that change became productive or necesary for the US.
What a joke they have no idea what that means to become a state.
I think if Puerto Rico wants to be a state they need to proof themselves worthy.
1. To make accountable to the citizens of Puerto Rico of all the moneys received from the United States.
2. The huge problem of abandoned of dogs. There are 3.9 million people and about 1 million dogs in the streets. Funding available but misappropriated.
3. Trash & Recycling.
4. Insurance fraud
5. The citizens of Puerto Rico need to be responsible for their actions. The citizens and animals all need to be protected by the laws that need to be enforced.
6. The citizens of Puerto Rico need to make all public servants accountable for every penny that is paid out. Town meetings should be in placed where everyone has a voice.
Varney is disrespectful and very ignorant. He treated Perez Riera like a piece of garbage. I am appalled by the Varney’s lack of professionalism. It is sad that they have such a poor opinion of Puerto Ricans. As Perez-Riera stated, Puerto Ricans have fought in all the American wars but yet they have no rights as citizens. Whatever federal benefits the island has, have been given by the Federal government. The United States made that decision to keep the Puerto Ricans dependent on the mainland thus enabling the federal government to do whatever they wanted in the island.
Don’t ever confuse a Cuban as a Puerto Rican…they will fking kill you!! There’s a reason why Cubans don’t want to be associated with them. Just visit Miami lately…total shit hole. And the Haitians…. OMG. Thanks for completely ruining South Florida 😦
Oh and just to clarify, I am not a racist. Just a realist. My best friend is from Puerto Rico, and my other is from Cuba, so I didn’t come to this conclusion solely based on observation or personal prejudice. There are good and bad people from every heritage. Believe me, it’s hard to be more disgusting than white trash. Talk about entitlement mongers. But I’ve never encountered more attitude than when I was in Miami. Even my PR friend moved his family out of there in here to Tampa, just because the average bad attitude that so many PR’s have. Why? And I’ve also been told crime in PR is worse than the average American city. Kind of like Miami maybe? I feel bad for the hard working, honest Haitians and PR’s in Miami, because so many others are ruining their reputation. Oh, by the way I’m not white… I’m Native American. So I think I have a little right to speak my opinion… You want to talk about a heritage almost completely destroyed by “the man”. But I’m also aware of how many of my people just sit around drinking and taking free money, and not feeling a damn bit bad about it at all. That’s fine, but some of us take pride in contributing something to the world. As far as PR becoming a state, I think it’s a bad idea, just based on the majority of free-loaders there. We have enough on US soil, any more will just be salt on the wound.