Trump and Puerto Rico: Insensitive, But Correct

[Mr. Friscus]

Here we have yet another consistent issue. First, let me support the title of the thread.

Trump, in saying so quickly that we "can't support Puerto Rico forever", among other quotes about accountability in the Puerto Rican government, was insensitive, especially so quickly after such a disaster.

However, he was also correct. We can't support the Puerto Rican people "forever", and challenging the government there to improve itself and stand on its own, which means making better policy decisions, is a healthy dialogue.

As predictable as it is, we have the usual outcome. The left freaks out about the insensitivity, but ignores the correct assessments. Yet again, we have the left demanding that we base reality on how people feel, and not on what would improve things.

And, let me point out, that the left has just finished saying that offending people is a good thing, in denouncing the millions and millions of people who are offended by people kneeling in front of the American flag. Trump may have offended Puerto Ricans and leftists overall, but unlike the left, I won't attempt to desperately attach some virtuous bravery to Donald Trump for his ignorance here, nor would I for purposefully insulting and disrespectful behavior by NFL players.

So, not only do we have the left running away from healthy policy discussion, but also from its own standards.

Trump needs to show some empathy and compassion for an entire nation in such a crisis, but after the Puerto Rican people recover, he brings up points that need to be addressed.

 

[BobbyT]

Here we have yet another consistent issue. First, let me support the title of the thread.

Trump, in saying so quickly that we "can't support Puerto Rico forever", among other quotes about accountability in the Puerto Rican government, was insensitive, especially so quickly after such a disaster.

However, he was also correct. We can't support the Puerto Rican people "forever", and challenging the government there to improve itself and stand on its own, which means making better policy decisions, is a healthy dialogue.

As predictable as it is, we have the usual outcome. The left freaks out about the insensitivity, but ignores the correct assessments. Yet again, we have the left demanding that we base reality on how people feel, and not on what would improve things.

And, let me point out, that the left has just finished saying that offending people is a good thing, in denouncing the millions and millions of people who are offended by people kneeling in front of the American flag. Trump may have offended Puerto Ricans and leftists overall, but unlike the left, I won't attempt to desperately attach some virtuous bravery to purposeful insulting and disrespectful behavior.

So, not only do we have the left running away from healthy policy discussion, but also from its own standards.

Trump needs to show some empathy and compassion for an entire nation in such a crisis, but after the Puerto Rican people recover, he brings up points that need to be addressed.

I don't believe there's any reason to support Puerto Rico "forever." However, we should support them until people are no longer drinking filthy water, short of medical supplies and food, etc.

 

[Mr. Friscus]

I don't believe there's any reason to support Puerto Rico "forever." However, we should support them until people are no longer drinking filthy water, short of medical supplies and food, etc.

Well, somebody needs to tell the leftist media this, because they are reporting as if Donald Trump is dropping nukes on Puerto Rico.

 

[BobbyT]

Well, somebody needs to tell the leftist media this, because they are reporting as if Donald Trump is dropping nukes on Puerto Rico.

Interesting. I hadn't heard that canard about dropping nukes.

 

[Deleted member 21794]

I don't believe there's any reason to support Puerto Rico "forever." However, we should support them until people are no longer drinking filthy water, short of medical supplies and food, etc.

Agree. And we should also make note of and consider how they have managed their infrastructure up to this point. Are we supposed to provide relief and fix all their screw ups? I think reasonable minds can come up with how much aid to provide. Sadly, the federal government sucks at figuring out stuff like this.

 

[justoffal]

Here we have yet another consistent issue. First, let me support the title of the thread.

Trump, in saying so quickly that we "can't support Puerto Rico forever", among other quotes about accountability in the Puerto Rican government, was insensitive, especially so quickly after such a disaster.

However, he was also correct. We can't support the Puerto Rican people "forever", and challenging the government there to improve itself and stand on its own, which means making better policy decisions, is a healthy dialogue.

As predictable as it is, we have the usual outcome. The left freaks out about the insensitivity, but ignores the correct assessments. Yet again, we have the left demanding that we base reality on how people feel, and not on what would improve things.

And, let me point out, that the left has just finished saying that offending people is a good thing, in denouncing the millions and millions of people who are offended by people kneeling in front of the American flag. Trump may have offended Puerto Ricans and leftists overall, but unlike the left, I won't attempt to desperately attach some virtuous bravery to Donald Trump for his ignorance here, nor would I for purposefully insulting and disrespectful behavior by NFL players.

So, not only do we have the left running away from healthy policy discussion, but also from its own standards.

Trump needs to show some empathy and compassion for an entire nation in such a crisis, but after the Puerto Rican people recover, he brings up points that need to be addressed.

" IT"S DIFFERENT "

JO

 

[bdtex]

However, he was also correct. We can't support the Puerto Rican people "forever", and challenging the government there to improve itself and stand on its own, which means making better policy decisions, is a healthy dialogue.

He's not suggesting that Texas or Florida or Louisiana be cut off from Federal dollars at some point though.

 

[connieb]

Here we have yet another consistent issue. First, let me support the title of the thread.

Trump, in saying so quickly that we "can't support Puerto Rico forever", among other quotes about accountability in the Puerto Rican government, was insensitive, especially so quickly after such a disaster.

However, he was also correct. We can't support the Puerto Rican people "forever", and challenging the government there to improve itself and stand on its own, which means making better policy decisions, is a healthy dialogue.

As predictable as it is, we have the usual outcome. The left freaks out about the insensitivity, but ignores the correct assessments. Yet again, we have the left demanding that we base reality on how people feel, and not on what would improve things.

And, let me point out, that the left has just finished saying that offending people is a good thing, in denouncing the millions and millions of people who are offended by people kneeling in front of the American flag. Trump may have offended Puerto Ricans and leftists overall, but unlike the left, I won't attempt to desperately attach some virtuous bravery to Donald Trump for his ignorance here, nor would I for purposefully insulting and disrespectful behavior by NFL players.

So, not only do we have the left running away from healthy policy discussion, but also from its own standards.

Trump needs to show some empathy and compassion for an entire nation in such a crisis, but after the Puerto Rican people recover, he brings up points that need to be addressed.

FEMA is there to support local operations. Since the Gov's of Texas and Florida are so well run, they needed only to run back-up and have the open checkbook.

PR is a complete and total shithole as are the vast majority of former Spanish colonies. The gov't sucks. There is a ridiculous amount of corruption. the tax system is complex, and expensive and chases off investment. They make stupid choices, because the leaders are both dumb and greedy. So, FEMA is expected instead to be backup - to do the whole thing. But, what doyou expect out of a bunch of lefties? That is how they roll, don't prepare, don't organize, don't be responsible.... then beg and plead for someone to come bail them out of the mess they created.

 

[Mr. Friscus]

He's not suggesting that Texas or Florida or Louisiana be cut off from Federal dollars at some point though.

The last time I checked, Texas, Florida, and Louisiana are part of the actual United States...

Puerto Rico is another country.

It's true that, no matter how much leftists (not liberals) denounce America as a horrible place, we offer humanitarian aid like no other nation on earth.

But, like Puerto Rico, Texas, Florida, and Louisiana will eventually cease to receive extra funds, and return to status quo.

Puerto Rico can improve their country to better deal with things like this. That's Trump's point, and it's correct. Puerto Rico is a horribly run country, and while we are such a great nation in humanitarian aid, we should absolutely attempt to persuade them to make changes that would help their people.

That's a very odd point you're trying to make, and it just doesn't hold.

 

[bdtex]

Puerto Rico is another country.

It is a US territory and they are US citizens and pay Social Security and Medicare taxes and can freely travel within the U.S. They don't have any EC votes which perfectly explains Trump's attitude towards them.

That's a very odd point you're trying to make, and it just doesn't hold.

You're certainly not the decider of that. You're displaying a bit of ignorance on the status of Puerto Rico.

 

[The Sage of Main Street]

The last time I checked, Texas, Florida, and Louisiana are part of the actual United States...

Puerto Rico is another country.

It's true that, no matter how much leftists (not liberals) denounce America as a horrible place, we offer humanitarian aid like no other nation on earth.

But, like Puerto Rico, Texas, Florida, and Louisiana will eventually cease to receive extra funds, and return to status quo.

Puerto Rico can improve their country to better deal with things like this. That's Trump's point, and it's correct. Puerto Rico is a horribly run country, and while we are such a great nation in humanitarian aid, we should absolutely attempt to persuade them to make changes that would help their people.

That's a very odd point you're trying to make, and it just doesn't hold.

What do they call the opposite of annex? We should spin off Puerto Rico and let it sink into the deep blue sea.

 

[4/15]

tRump showed his concern for the people of Puerto Rico when he tossed paper towels and told them to get busy cleaning up. This child called tRump needs to be eliminated.

 

[Mr. Friscus]

It is a US territory and they are US citizens and pay Social Security and Medicare taxes and can freely travel within the U.S. They don't have any EC votes which perfectly explains Trump's attitude towards them.

You're certainly not the decider of that. You're displaying a bit of ignorance on the status of Puerto Rico.

Actually, it's all consistent as far as the differences between liberals and conservatives. The fact that it's a U.S. Territory is what's actually harming it, making it extremely uncompetitive with other countries in the carribean, such as the Dominican Republic, which is much better.

It's a relatively poor island, It has the population of Conneticut but more debt than 48 states in America. More Puerto Ricans are living in America than on the homeland. The population is dwindling, the taxes are causing successful people to leave, and only 2 out of 5 Puerto Ricans are employed or seeking employment. Thus, it's a social liberal paradise, a bunch of impoverished, defeated, and hopeless citizens relying on welfare to survive.

Meanwhile, the Conservative message here at home is for people to aspire to achieve more than complacent welfare life. The same goes here. Puerto Rico can move to improve itself, but IMO it should try to split from the United States first.

Puerto Rico is the endgame for any social liberal state (California) that would want to leave the country.

 

[georgephillip]

However, he was also correct. We can't support the Puerto Rican people "forever", and challenging the government there to improve itself and stand on its own, which means making better policy decisions, is a healthy dialogue

Repealing the Jones Act would be a good place to start a long term recovery on the island:

"After World War I, America was worried about German U-boats, which had sunk nearly 5,000 ships during the war. Congress enacted the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, a.k.a. the Jones Act, to ensure that the country maintained a shipbuilding industry and seafaring labor force.

"Section 27 of this law decreed that only American ships could carry goods and passengers from one United States port to another.

"In addition, every ship must be built, crewed and owned by American citizens..."

"This is a shakedown, a mob protection racket, with Puerto Rico a captive market.

"The island is the fifth-largest market in the world for American products, and there are more Walmarts and Walgreens per square mile in Puerto Rico than anywhere else on the planet."

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/25/opinion/hurricane-puerto-rico-jones-act.html