Puerto rico

[twoton]

It’s not about not helping people. We always help those in need.

When do we expect people to help themselves? PR isn’t a good example at this point.

But that’s beside the point. I’m frustrated. I can’t believe that the feds are completely absent and that the PR govt is completely inept.

 

[Industrialsize]

I’m 100% in favor of helping our PR brothers and sisters.

But its leadership has to accept a fair amount of the “blame” for the disaster—not because they’re stuck on an island with extremely limited resources, but because Puerto Rico was a fiscal disaster in the years prior to Maria.

The island’s management was bad for a long time. It’s not the mainland’s fault that Puerto Rico was a disaster waiting to happen.

And yes, of course the feds need to help. But how much should the federal govt be on the hook for when it was the island’s own government that failed?
Puerto Rico was a disaster long before Maria ravaged the island

They are United States citizens. The federal government is on the hook until the problem is fixed.

 

[Tight_N_Juicy]

When do we expect people to help themselves? PR isn’t a good example at this point.

Maybe when we start treating them like the American citizens they in fact are.

I understand your point. I do. I just don't agree. I'm not gonna be blaming the victims when hurricane season is right here again and they're still completely screwed out there.

Seems a lot like blaming an attractive young person for being raped at a party. "Well maybe you should take some responsibility, you should have known better".

My point is this: they need help. A whole lot of people here have the means to help.

 

[Jjz1109]

They are United States citizens. The federal government i on the hook until the problem is fixed.

.
They ARE us citizens, no one denies. But the island is still a commonwealth today, not a state. Big difference. Puerto Rican’s had repeatedly voted against statehood in several plebiscites, until a reversal in 2012 during Obama’s presidency. That said, doesn’t preclude other initiatives to aid the island. Removal of corrupt, inept officials might be the first step.

 

[chicagosam]

My point is this: they need help. A whole lot of people here have the means to help.

And that should be the only point.

​

 

[Industrialsize]

.
They ARE us citizens, no one denies. But the island is still a commonwealth today, not a state. Big difference. Puerto Rican’s had repeatedly voted against statehood in several plebiscites, until a reversal in 2012 during Obama’s presidency. That said, doesn’t preclude other initiatives to aid the island. Removal of corrupt, inept officials might be the first step.

Fixing the power grid before this hurricaine season might be the first step.

 

[Jjz1109]

Fixing the power grid before this hurricaine season might be the first step.

.

For context, Puerto Rico’s power authority was 9 BILLION in debt before declaring bankruptcy. Complete corruption and mismanagement. The US govt has invested another nearly 4 BILLION in the power grid since Maria.

 

[chicagosam]

Fixing the power grid before this hurricaine season might be the first step.

Fixing the “power grid” in Washington DC might be a good idea, too. #Trexit

 

[Industrialsize]

.

For context, Puerto Rico’s power authority was 9 BILLION in debt before declaring bankruptcy. Complete corruption and mismanagement. The US govt has invested another nearly 4 BILLION in the power grid since Maria.

For context, Electrical contractors are pulling out and the government has decided that these US Citizens do not deserve the full resources of the American Government.

 

[Jjz1109]

For context, Electrical contractors are pulling out and the government has decided that these US Citizens do not deserve the full resources of the American Government.

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For context, over 90% of island is back up and running, with contractors now transitioning to the local authority. There have also been some disagreements between the governor, and the local power authority, and the contractors resulting in pull backs. Politics, as always.

 

[Industrialsize]

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For context, over 90% of island is back up and running, with contractors now transitioning to the local authority. There have also been some disagreements between the governor, and the local power authority, and the contractors resulting in pull backs. Politics, as always. But your implications are disengenuous.

Puerto Rico grid ‘teetering’ despite $3.8 billion repair job

After an eight-month, $3.8 billion federal effort to try to end the longest blackout in United States history, officials say Puerto Rico’s public electrical authority, the nation’s largest, is almost certain to collapse again when the next hurricane hits this island of 3.3 million people.


“It’s a highly fragile and vulnerable system that really could suffer worse damage than it suffered with Maria in the face of another natural catastrophe,” Puerto Rican Gov. Ricardo Rossello said.

Despite the billions plowed into the grid since Maria hit on Sept. 20, 2017, Puerto Rican officials warn that it could take far less than a Category 4 storm like Maria to cause a blackout like the one that persists today, with some 11,820 homes and businesses still without power.

“The grid is there, but the grid isn’t there. It’s teetering,” said Hector Pesquera, Puerto Rico’s commissioner of public safety. “Even if it’s a (Category) 1, it is in such a state that I think we’re going to lose power. I don’t know for how long.”
Puerto Rico grid ‘teetering’ despite $3.8 billion repair job

The US government did NOT leave Florida or Texas in such a perilous position.

 

[Jjz1109]

Article confirms BILLIONS plowed into grid. And have pointed out repeatedly it’s a commonwealth, not a state. Don’t deny a repeat is possible.

 

[Industrialsize]

Article confirms BILLIONS plowed into grid. And have pointed out repeatedly it’s a commonwealth, not a state. Don’t deny a repeat is possible.

These are UNITED STATES CITIZENS.(BTW, Massachusetts is a Commonwealth)

 

[Chrysippus]

Removal of corrupt, inept officials might be the first step.

Starting with Trump...

 

[TexanStar]

The US government did NOT leave Florida or Texas in such a perilous position.

Texas and Florida's power grids did not start in such a perilous position.

 

[Industrialsize]

Texas and Florida's power grids did not start in such a perilous position.

What's your point? We should leave the United States Citizens that live in Puerto Rico in a perilous state?

 

[Chrysippus]

Texas and Florida's power grids did not start in such a perilous position.

A distinction that doesn’t make a difference.

 

[Industrialsize]

And then there is this:
Hurricane Maria killed more than 4,600 people in Puerto Rico: study
Hurricane Maria killed more than 4,600 people in Puerto Rico during and after the storm wreaked havoc on the island last September, making the official death toll 70 times more than reported, a Harvard study published Tuesday claimed.
Hurricane Maria killed more than 4,600 people in Puerto Rico: study

 

[TexanStar]

A distinction that doesn’t make a difference.

What's your point? We should leave the United States Citizens that live in Puerto Rico in a perilous state?

Not to answer a question with a question, but what do you think is the Federal government's responsibilities with respect to public utilities?

Are you of the understanding that it is the US Federal Government which bears the responsibility to determine if and how electricity, potable water, or natural gas will be delivered to your property? Do you believe the Federal government has the responsibility for sewage and waste water removal and treatment?

 

[Industrialsize]

Not to answer a question with a question, but what do you think is the Federal government's responsibilities with respect to public utilities?

Are you of the understanding that it is the US Federal Government which bears the responsibility to determine if and how electricity, potable water, or natural gas will be delivered to your property? Do you believe the Federal government has the responsibility for sewage and waste water removal and treatment?

What's your point? We should leave the United States Citizens that live in Puerto Rico in a perilous state?