Comments on: Puerto Rico’s New Progressive Party Seeks Bilingual Ballots, Not Trying Hard Enough To Make PR A State

By: enrique

enrique — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:10:57 +0000

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By: Michael

Michael — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:07:46 +0000

I think 14% might be a bit high. An exaggeration, perhaps?

Most people in Puerto Rico do not speak English to an appreciable degree. And like it or not, it’s going to be a must for statehood.

The second stumbling block is the inability for most Puerto Ricans to put themselves as Americans first, Boricua pride is too far ingrained. After 400 years of Spanish/Puerto Rican culture, it’s a hard thing to give up.

The third problem is that a great many voters like it right where it’s at - getting the benefits of US Tax dollars without having to pay into the system (SS aside). Just look at all the people at the stores in nice clothes, expensive jewelry, a nice car… whipping out a food stamp card. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you probably live in NY too much.

And as for corrupt leaders? Hello, who was that getting probed this past spring for illegal actions? The governor?

PR needs to be set free and allowed to grow up. It has become like a child that stays too long at home.

By: dlab

dlab — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 01:40:46 +0000

@piruli - I think coquispirit was talking about sandra who talked about Puerto Ricans in third person…

By: dlab

dlab — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 01:39:18 +0000

@coquispirit - yeah, guanabee is huge on sarcasm, don’t be offended. honestly I find the article above more offensive towards gringos, especially with the comment that PR needs to step up the “casual xenophobia and cultural ignorance” to be a part of the US…

By: piruli

piruli — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 23:10:37 +0000

@ coquispirit: I think you don’t quite understand sarcasm. And wouldn’t a Puerto Rican political party’s appeal for statehood also be an American political issue? Beside, your comment is saying people shouldn’t, for example, be concerned about genocide, war, human rights violations, diseases or natural disasters in other countries because its not, technically, “your country’s issue.” We live on a planet, not just on our own streets. Who are you to say when and where it’s appropriate for someone to voice his or her opinion?

By: coquispirit

coquispirit — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:30:29 +0000

I have to agree with dlab and I do find quite insulting that blog post if you’re not a puerto rican please do not give your opinion on our political issues…

By: dlab

dlab — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 21:15:47 +0000

And now that I look at the picture again, that makeup makes the girl look like a little Llanera Solitaria.

By: dlab

dlab — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 19:29:43 +0000

Sandra, we Ricans hate our corrupt leaders.

Statehood… not so much. If you look at the various referendums and plebiscites that have been held on the issue, you’ll see a 50/50 split between pro-statehood and pro-status-quo.

I’ll agree with the fact that the proposal was a joke though. If you don’t speak Spanish, you definitely have not spent enough time in PR to understand local politics or what you are voting for.

By: sandra

sandra — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 02:56:34 +0000

This proposal was an island wide joke since the majority of Puerto Ricans reject US Statehood and their corrupt leaders.