Puerto Rico seems to have been sent back to the corner of shame to think about what it did once again. After blatant cries for help from both government officials, and celebrities like Lin-Manuel Miranda alike, the United States Congress has finally passed a bill to aid our situation. So, there! We got what we wanted. The great America has saved us once again in their star spangled cape and red boots! Right? Because a bill named PROMESA, the Spanish word for promise, would definitely mean that all good has been done and we will not need to worry about everything. Right? …Right? Wrong.
Surely, we’re only being dramatic. We’re greedy! We should take what we’re given and like it! Because through said bill, we are being promised an opportunity to re-structure our $72 million dollar debt. A perfectly well explained article by the Huffington post states the exact pros (barely any at all) and cons of said bill. Highlighting how exactly “the Great United States of America” will save the day. Granted, the minimum wage for people under 24 will be lowered from the current $7.25 to a whopping $4.25, but it’s all for the greater good, right? Because the money saved will go directly to our public schools and hospitals. Because obviously the children and sick always come first! Yeah… no. That’s a nice thought, though. Kudos for your optimism!
You see, we were only promised said bill and aid with the condition of imposing a fiscal control board. That’s actually what the bill solely entitles to do. Allow me to rephrase and break down what this board consists of. Basically, seven business men will be handpicked by the president and will be granted complete control of every single decision to be made. Wait, what? Yes, a group of outsiders who have not lived here, been face to face with the debts effects on our population, or have even properly analyzed how this enormous debt came to be, are being handed complete control of our government and administration.
Let’s forget about the fact that this goes entirely against our constitution where Article I clearly states that Puerto Rico shall always s be self-governing… what’s so bad about a fiscal board? They’re main purpose is to save the day and clean up this mess, right? Nope.
The fiscal control board’s main purpose is to re-structure our economy in such a way that the bill caused by vulture hedge funds can be paid off. Let’s pause and focus on that point for a second. Puerto Rico’s Constitutional Rights (You guys, are really big on those, right? What with so much debate I’ve heard about gun control being “against your constitution” and all… I’m sure you understand our fury and would surely consider fighting amongst us) are being blatantly violated. We will not even be directly benefiting from it. Because we are not the priority.
How ironic is that? A bill was designed to aid Puerto Rico’s crisis and it doesn’t even prioritize Puerto Ricans. The main goal is to repay vultures who actually prey on the weak and struggling and have an amazing track record of doing so, going after countries like Greece, Argentina, the state of Detroit, as an article by American Prospect pointed out. Because we have always been a pawn in the great chess game played by the United States.
So, you ask yourself: “Why would someone ever agree to such crippling conditions?” Because as pointed out in a previous article, our hands are tied. My country is drowning in debt. We are not pleased with this mediocre bill you dare call a solution. However, you pushed us into this corner with no way out. We are not in favor of this bill. This promesa you made us is just like all the others you’ve made, United States: empty, worthless, and benefiting solely yourself.
