Right now there is no other option. At minimum, Puerto Rico needs to call an election – and who knows what the result of that may be? Probably, unfortunately, more of the same.
Mind you, Puerto Rican Nationalist leader Pedro Albizu Campos warned c. 1948-50, that "the ballot box is the coffin to bury the Puerto Rican nation".
"La urna es el ataúd para enterrar a la nación puertorriqueña." ~ PEDRO ALBIZU CAMPOS
The official succession queue is skewed to maintain an untenable status quo affiliated to 'deposed' Gov. Ricardo Rosselló and his pro-statehood New Progressive Party, the PNP.
• ...Wanda Vázquez, the secretary of justice [a Rosselló appointee], to be sworn in as Puerto Rico’s third governor in five days...has said that she does not want the job....”
Who would willingly take on the mess, inherit the scorn reaped by now 'former' governor 'Ricky' Rosselló and his cadre, his self-denominated 'junta'?
She has no choice but to acquiesce.
– R. COANE
Puerto Rican/Canadian Artist
1
Puerto Rico deserves statehood, as do all U.S. territories. But, this appointment seems as fishy as the tenure of the former governor. The Secretary is more or less appointed by the Supreme Court, who must have a pretty close connection to Ms. Rodriguez. Does this upend the separation of powers, and the legislatures responsibility for oversight? Isn't it also a conflict of interest? Isn't it time for an election?
I read that Puerto Rico receives 85 billion dollars from US taxpayers annually and has over 100 billion dollars in liabilities.
It also is is called derogatorily 'welfare island' So my question is 'How can we be rid of this mess?'.
2
PR should be a model for the rest of us, the people spoke and the government was forced to listen. I believe they should be our 51 state.
4
I see many people have deeply contradictory thoughts with regard Puerto Rico. They think that the US federal government fails the island when it does not intervene more to build infrastructure and reduce poverty; at the same time, they believe that the US federal government reduces Puerto Rico to a colony when it does intervene. This doublethink needs to be resolved.
There is similar confusion with regard the political status: the reason it remains a Territory and is not a State is because repeated referendums have shown a preference for that status, or have been boycotted by a large percentage of the electorate. The ramification is that it isn't represented in Congress.
The fact remains that while poorer regions of any nation should be subsidised by the central government, it is not tenable or fair that the funds should be squandered by a grossly incompetent and corrupt local government.
3
M.N.: If this is not the Coup D'Etat, then what is it?!
I see lots of comments here from people who evidently despise PR. I guess they need a 'hate' fix when the old one in Ohio wears down. They found a way, over the last few days, to justify trump's racist winking and mewling bigotry toward Hispanics and Central Americans in general. They find a way even to justify the El Paso shooter's 'frustration' at having too many dark dangerous little kids around.
Now it's time to comment on THIS article; sneering about more Hispanic Americans. "They're not really us". I think trump's malignant kool aide is mixed fresh every morning; the faithful go trolling for diversity to hate on. And so uninformed!!
"PR doesn't pay federal taxes, so there". trump supporters do not understand how U.S. Territory history goes, nor do they care. If they get to sneer at others, that's all they need.
3
The protests worked, and my Puerto Rican friends shared their experiences with me fresh from the protests. Let's hope that PR can find the strong leadership that the PR people need now, to take them into the future, feeling safe, confident, and secure.
4
When a country can successfully transition power from one leader to another; and then again to another in a legally and orderly manner they demonstrate the true power of a constitutional democracy. This is a model the US has used since its founding and must be continued.
When Trump hints that he should be given two more years automatically because he lost those years due to the Mueller investigation, we must reject such notions outright as the antithesis of our own country's laws and of the most recent example of successful transitions in Puerto Rico.
5
@Bryan...The US is not a constitutional democracy. It is a constitutional republic. Been that way from the gitgo.
I guess this is a win for Girl power, but is it good for the Island? It is a sign of political instability, but I guess it is also the constitution. Will she be Margaret Thatcher, or Eva Peron? Either way, Good Luck!
1
Puerto Rica should be granted statehood or independence.
3
Puerto Rico is so bad that they had to have a do-over on succession. Congratulating PR on their botched transition is like congratulating a 5 year old on brushing their own teeth - twice. The government is completely incompetent, and has been for decades.
1
Bravo for Puerto Rico. This is the way the rule of law is supposed to work. An executive branch decision is reviewed by an independent judiciary. The judiciary's opinion overturns an obvious end run against the Constitution. What a novel idea!
58
This coming from a country seeking independence for decades. Pero, I hope better days for the people and their new leader.
1
@AIG
The statement that Puerto Rico has been seeking independence for decades is simply not true. The truth is that in several referendums taken by the U.S. territory's inhabitants over the years the outcome has been overwhelmingly against independence. The dominant status goals in reality are either statehood or an improved commonwealth. After over one hundred years existence as American citizens and a large diaspora numbering in the millions living on the mainland, independence is not a shared realistic goal.
3
The first thing you do when you find yourself in a hole is to stop digging. This is essentially the problem facing Puerto Rico. The hurricanes only accelorated the financial and demographic crises now facing the island.
Better leadership and better management is needed on the island for sure, but the exodus of the population probably cannot be stemmed. Indeed, it should be encouraged. Reinventing Puerto Rico will require a vision of a smaller population on the island and less public spending.
1
@Sendero Caribe are you advocating for gentrification of the Island?
The political instability in Puerto Rico indicates to me that PR is nowhere near ready for statehood.
1
@Colin
And what of the dysfunction (a close cousin of political instability) in the White House?
8
@Colin You are correct, adding: it has always been clear that to be an islander from a Colony of the United States is to be a "Brown"; unpalatable to the whites of Congress. Why would a Puerto Rican want to be living in a State of a Union obviously showing signs of breaking apart? If Trump is reelected Puerto Rico's "instability" will be insignificant compared to the looming global disaster.
1
@RickyDick Point taken, but PR is in a while other level.
$82 billion was the most recent ticket price paid for this show.
Time for full Puerto Rican independence & a UN vote.
With all this training, they are ready for the UN, prime time.
They are ready for no oversight, and on their own dime.
And time to remove a mushroom from a dark place.
1
The US should recognize Puerto Rico as the country and nation it is, taken over by force by the US and kept in different degrees of colonialism, and give it its independence. Puerto Ricans refer to their island as a country, their country. They know they are a Hispanic nation and part of Latin-America. In spite of tremendous pressure by the US to get rid of the Spanish language as the language of instruction during the first decades of the XX Century, Puerto Ricans persevered and English could not replace their native language. Today many Puerto Ricans are bilingual, which is a plus. Puerto Rico should be formally recognized for what it is: a nation with its own history, culture and traditions. Not part of the Anglosphere.
8
I don't know who chose the photo for this article, but most appropriate and impressive. The Chief Justice, a woman, swearing in the new Governor, a woman, and the woman holding what appears to be a bible.
We could use some of that here on the mainland, more women governing, more women judges, more women in higher office at every level of government.
I wish Puerto Rico the best.
15
Who knows. This could be a positive outcome.
The question is what will fill the political vacuum created by the massive demonstrations? Is all that energy for naught, or is it just the beginning? What is the people's will and how will not only Puerto Rico but the U.S. Deal with it? Will its citizens demand equal rights to other U.S. citizens, or seek independence? They now have the world's attention. Now is the time to act
1
Puerto Ricans can ensure Trump is not reelected.
They can ensure they are provided every right and privilege of a US citizen with voting representation.
After the defamation and neglect they have purposefully experienced from Trump after devastating hurrricanes, there should be a campaign to relocate and register to vote in Florida while Puerto Rico rebuilds.
They can turn Florida blue, and kick Trump out of office. And the entire world will change.
It is extraordinary power, only waiting to be exercised, by the great people of Puerto Rico.
Flex your muscle, as with the governor.
29
Rafael
SC57m ago. writes
They are US citizens. Do you get this worked up about Mississippi?
They are not US citizens like we are in Mississippi. For once, they do not pay Federal Income tax, like we do in Mississippi, second they are exempt from serving in the US military during time of war, third, they have no vote in Congress.
In spite of not paying income taxes to Washington, they get bailed out by Washington. Wished we had that in Mississippi
8
You do!
12
@Carla--well you got one out of three! Indeed, Puerto Ricans were granted citizenship just in time to draft them into WWI. The US also appropriated land to use as military bases, a statistically high number of PRicans have been part of the military. Puerto Ricans do pay federal taxes in the form of social security, Medicare, not to mention tariffs and some are even required to file federal income tax forms.
Read some more and try again!
43
@Carla You do get bailed out by taxpayer money every year, as the state of Mississippi receives more Federal money than it pays in taxes. I wish your state would get stronger financially and contribute what other states do.
18
Kudos, Mr. Pierluisi! You deserve a medal for stepping down peacefully and not fomenting discord. Thank you.
3
wrong pic, i really thought wow shes young
2
This political chaos is a prime example of why no taxpayer funds should be allocated to PR without oversight by professional managers selected by the USG. The only way that PR will ever reach long term political and economic stability is to completely bypass all current PR politicians and have the USG lead a redevelopment effort similar to what we have done in a 3rd world country. The citizens of PR deserve no less.
3
@Concerned I mean, it's a colony in commonwealth makeup. Treat it like the colony it is! Also, notify the UN next time there's the annual meeting about PR status, since US never actually attends said meeting. This time they can officially re-file the island under COLONY.
8
I just read an article that discussed the lack of taxes and therefore the lack of infrastructure in Mississippi. Mississippi also already receives much more Federal aid than it pays in taxes (compared to most other states). However I don't hear anyone asking the Federal Government to go to Mississippi and start running the state.
Perhaps both Puerto Rico and Mississippi both need help.
1
Puerto Rico is about to have a 'King Ralph' situation as they search for a permanent govenor.
@Walt Carmen Yulín Cruz might be a good candidate.
5
It isn't relevant in any substantive way, but can I just say how happy it makes me to see a picture of people in positions of power, and it happens to be a picture of women? It's still too rare.
19
Why should the rest of the US hold on to this piece of land?
It is a classical banana republic. Why can't the US give it away? Cuba can have it for free.
Often referendums on this issue are conducted by Puerto Ricans. Don't the rest of us have a say in it as well?
7
@Appu Nair, could you read up on the U.S. version of territories and get back to us when you have informed yourself? It's embarrassing. I mean, why don't we just give up all our lands that republicans don't like? Oh, wait. You live in California. Be careful who you despise, until you understand American geopolitical reasons for having territories. Sheesh.
2
@Appu Nair with that name, Republicans won't like you neither.
1
Why doesn't Puerto Rico hold a new election and let the people choose a Governor.
15
Puerto Rico’s current debacle was not caused by the resignation of Ricky Rosello after the massive protests, but by the Senate’s president, Thomas Rivers Schatz when he decided not to take a vote to ratify Pierluisi last Thursday. He is the one moving his little fingers around the political debate and the one Puerto Rico’s population needs to pay attention to. For him, chaos is a ladder and he is positioning his to the Fortaleza, the governor’s mansion.
11
The lenders need to be held responsible for making these loans. Puerto Rico needs to take a lesson from Iceland
8
@Dr John
The money that Puerto Rico owes were not loans. They are bonds that the local government sold to to investors who accepted the risk in exchange for unrealistic interest rate yields . The investors obviously did not do the required research on the economic situation on the island and are now suffering the consequences . The local people should not be made to suffer for the dealings of the local government and the corrupt American financial institutions that made the offers possible in the first place.
.
Puerto Rico Takes New Governor By Force
Normally a headline like that would imply some kind of coup,
Dr. Carson, are you awake? Puerto Rico will quickly waste the federal dollars headed there.
3
Puerto Rico.
Independence, now.
12
@CR how about self-determination, since that has been denied to the island for the 121 years it's been under the jurisdiction of the United States--the country that prides itself in spreading democracy?
9
It's obvious that Puerto Rico is profoundly corrupt and that the basic system of governance is irreperably broken. The US Congress has allocated millions upon millions of dollars to make Puerto Rico minimally habitable and functional. It has not worked and almost certainly never will. Time to stop throwing good money after bad. Let's make our fellow citizens lives better by evacuating thenln to the mainland US and turning the island over to the military, with part set aside for tourism. The Puerto Rican experiment has failed.
11
@MJG I want to point out that your rhetoric here is disturbing. Puerto Rico had earned autonomy from Spain the very year that the United States invaded. If the past 120 years have been merely an experiment then thE USA has been playing imperialist god.
Puerto Rico is not a failed experiment. Your clinical language distances from the reality that millions of people live on the island, own property and have their own culture. PR is not eminent domain to do whatever you want with it. This sounds borderline fascist—So much for the Constitution.
44
@mb My comment is disturbing? There are Puerto Ricans STILL (!) without power after the hurricanes. Millions upon millions of dollars stolen, mismanaged and wasted. I'm not being clinical; I'm being realistic. I know a lost cause when I see one.
10
@MJG There is a growing demand for independence in Puerto Rico which is being accelerated in this Trump era, especially after his inadequate response to Hurricane Maria
6
Puerto Rico needs leadership, not sure they're going to find it in the cupboard. I fear Congress will have to step in if they don't figure it out soon.
4
@Ron Puerto Rico had the greatest Governor since the first real Governor Luis Munoz Marin, Ricardo Rossello. Perfect for the times and was personally bringing in billions of investment and tens of thousands of jobs that would earn big bucks and become a serious competitor in the world-wide biotech industry.
You seriously want our Congress, whose greatest accomplishment has been throwing hatred at the other party and obstructing each other, to advise Puerto Rico??
Perhaps they are the mirror of the current chaos of the mainland.
22
What is this Traviata !
What about holding an election .
4
Isn't there someway to break this disaster loose and keep it from draining our public weal even more than it already has?
4
@Alice's Restaurant
Are you one of the people who thinks Puerto Rico doesn't deserve federal disaster aid because it's not really American? (Like Trump, apparently.)
24
I believe they deserve their independence. Today.
5
@Thomas Zaslavsky
Oh, no, you used the "Like Trump, apparently" card. How Cultural Marxist. No, I go back to the days when SAC had tankers there. Wasn't impressed with the place then, even less when their utilities were stealing billions from us. But, that aside, time to send them on their way. Bye, bye.
3
The central problem of PR is its crushing debt - run up by corrupt governments.
6 years ago, The Economist published
"Puerto Rico: Greece in the Caribbean"
"Stuck with a real debt crisis in its back yard, America can learn from Europe’s Aegean follies"
Did it ?
17
@John
It seems that Republicans are not concerned any longer by the "crushing debt" of the US run up by their tax bill or their corrupt administrations.
13
@Alan J. Shaw
But John is talking about P.R.'s debt. That's a serious issue to Republicans. And it is a serious issue, like Greece's huge corrupt debt.
4
The dude that was the cause of this mess is a Liberal Democrat, just like AOC.
It seems they like it as they continue to elect Democrats.
6
The usual, dreary nonsense about stability. Puerto Rico needs justice! It needs relief from the demands of the rapacious bankers. It urgently needs more hurricane relief, and it also needs some relief from the newly empowered techno-colonialists who think that the island--its climate and balmy breezes are theirs as they exploit the resources and offer very, very few jobs. And that, above all else, is what it needs--jobs. It deserves at this point to have a kind of WPA program involving education and the work of rebuilding the island, though of course, the free-marketeers will howl objections and lofty contempt at all of that.
25
They should have been more efficient and had the earing in near a revolving door.
2
@LaughingBuddah you must be kidding right. The current mayor was ousted after his corruption. His predecessor was the same and so was last ten mayors.
Porto Rico is one of the most corrupt places that US had jurisdiction over.
10
@BBD
It's only a matter of time before Trump tweets the same thing, along with Baltimore, and wonders why we "throw so much money" at it. Consider the Trump administration and his cabinet as the most foul and corrupt of swamps.
8
@BBD are you talking about GOVERNORS? PR isn't a city.
Puerto Rico, me encanta. Let us hope this is the begining of a new age of justice and prosperity.
14
Kudos to President Trump for once again being proven 100% correct.
Trump pointed to Puerto Rico s long long history of corruption mismanagement and outright theft. The Puerto Rico electric company was bankrupt and the power supply was less than third world as best.
After Hurricane Maria democrats and news media joined hands and shouted Trump didn’t trump was racist etc. you all know the usual- for not turning Puerto Rico into Disneyland in one day.
When Trump pointed out the massive corruption and mismanagement the democrats and media chorus of racist hat grew to a fever pitch.
Trump stared down the insane criticism and would only release the tens of billions as real plans suppliers etc were vetted and approved. The people of Puerto Rico knew what the problem was- it was exactly what trump said- massive corruption and mismanagement
Trump was correct yet again
18
@William Rodham Again? The only three-ring circus will be the one where the rapacious "developers" move in for the kill. Trump "staring down" anyone is quite a comical image, suitable for a parody of a Victorian painting. It's very nearly certain that Trump just about learned and has never known the name of the former governor. So, OK, I'm glad you agree that the Puerto Ricans are doing the right thing. Will Trump now offer them some kind of debt relief from the rapacious Wall Street vultures?
7
@William Rodham is right. And to Perry’s question on wethere or no this they will get a debt relief offer the answer is no. They have the means to fix the problem and they don’t need the federal governments money.
5
@William Rodham. Hi Bill. Has anyone heard if Ms. Vasquez the newest new governor of Puerto Rico knows Donald, or has any ties to Russia? She has a pretty daughter- Donald would like that. Do you think the Trump organization plans to buy lots of resort property, with acreage for a few golf courses-maybe a casino. They have casino business experience you know. Have Donald Jr. and his brother, what’s his name, been visiting the Island lately- of course they fly private jet, so there are no public records. Or it could be the land is being purchased by proxy-a Russian national- or any number of old middle European cronies. Maybe they’ll pay Puerto Rico the hold out (hurricane recovery) money now, so they can explore a kick back and buy the resort land with US taxpayer money- Trump style. One thing you and I agree about is that Trump said Puerto Rico had/has massive corruption and mismanagement-something Trump knows everything about.
William-were you being facetious? Or was that me!
24
And if there was ever any wonder why PR is so messed up; sans hurricane.
4
@Nature Voter Our country, the USA, is pretty messed up. How would we be right now sans Mt. Trump?
9
This is not even half as ridiculous as trump being president.
45
@John Tollefson cannot agree more.
7
Fellow Puerto Ricans, the government and the people are one. let's look at ourselves in the mirror now that governor Ricky resigned. It is not what you say, what matters is what you do and how you live your life. Model the behavior you want for your children and the rest will take care of itself. Despite the best intentions, any advice has limitations regarding perception and enlightenment. The amount of information disclosed
to the person from whom the advice is requested and the adviser's ability to conceptualize, describe and communicate the best course of action will determine the usefulness of the advice. It’s rarely possible to predict when another person will have an epiphany. Once we realize that the reward of doing the work ourselves is enough, I hope more of us see value in my approach (at that moment, the fact that everyone else did not participate in the effort becomes irrelevant). Being reactive just waiting for others to do the job &/or avoiding thinking about issues rationally has no benefit. In fact, it incurs a future cost: you deceive yourself by presenting only highlighting opposing arguments in their weakest form, we should try to analyze the position of those we disagree with by understanding their argument in its strongest form. So the reward of a straw man argument or doing nothing is counterproductive. An elite is needed not to govern, but to enable people to govern themselves.
5
@José Franco. Jose-say what???????
4
I find this article frustrating because I could not find a clear explanation for what the Puerto Rican constitution prescribes for the replacement of a governor who resigns or for example dies.
If it is the secretary of state then say so explicitly and then perhaps explain why there was not a confirmed secretary of state in place when the former governor resigned.
4
@wh47 The line of succession is in the Constitution. The Secretary of State is next if the Governor resigns or dies, etc. He resigned as well as he was caught up in the scandal. The next in line is The Secretary of Justice. She was sworn in today.
9
Note to US Congress: This is a real (Puerto Rican) Constitutional Crisis. The executive branch is dysfunctional and the legislative branch is angling for political power. The Supreme Court (TSPR, a de facto state supreme court), the judiciary, did their job, but were they played by the PR Senate?
The article is silent, but does anyone know if this case could be brought to a US federal court for review?
3
@WorkingGuy Yes, SCOTUS would be the court to take Pierluisis case... I mean, non case.
@WorkingGuy No Constitutional crisis exists. It is not up to Federal Courts to review the decision.
1
@Laria
Here is why I think there is a legitimate crisis:
Rosselló resigns at the announced time, and before his replacement is voted on. The senate could have, but did not vote timely, up or down. By doing nothing, it left Pierluisi not fully confirmed. The legislative branch did not act properly.
The executive branch, then, in order of succession, Vázquez, already announced she did not want to be governor. It was her duty when she took the job as Justice Minister to be ready willing and able to discharge the duties called for in succession. There is now talk of her appointing a new Secretary of State and then resiging as governor, so this new person could become governor, who would then appoint a new Secretary of State and Justice Minister. NONE of these three would have been voted on by the people and as long as the bicameral legislature gave an OK, the TSPR could not review.
This is a constitutional crisis, and the basis for a PR political farce a la Noises Off: http://www.playbill.com/video/highlights-from-backstage-farce-noises-off-starring-andrea-martin-megan-hilty-and-rob-mcclure?jwsource=cl
6
This was former Gov. Rossello's last gift to his suffering people. Perhaps soon to be governor Wanda Vazquez could appoint a respected Puerto Rican from outside politics to become Secretary of State. then resign so that the new person becomes governor. Elections are not that far away; they will allow Puerot Ricans to choose a reform government.
5
I thought so as he was never confirmed as sec of state by the senate making is ascension to governor moot. Rules matter.
4
If it wasn't for me collecting signatures to run for US President in 2020, I'd move to Puerto Rico and run for governor.
2
Robert Lowell the poet said: "All's well that ends." This will not end, and it's not even the beginning. Colonial Puerto Rico is in the process of disintegration; meaning that both colonial parties have lost all credibility with the citizenry. Why go through names as if they could lead anyone out of the frenzy? Richie Rosello, Thomas Rivera Shatz, Wanda Vázquez, Pedro Pierluisi, Jennifer Gonzalez: a cast of wannabe aspirants promising more of the same; all members of the privileged elite who learned the fine arts of double-dealing at the University of K Street in Washington DC.
5
Puerto Rico gov't is corrupt through and through and has been since it was a colony of Spain.
Need to clean house. Like the Chinese did many years ago to their fuedal and corrupt system. Most definite and -shall we say - permanent, cure.
7
@kenzo Might want to start with DC and not worry about Puerto Rico, as we can see the Citizens are cleaning up their mess.
7
Puerto Rico has committed economic suicide by kicking out the best Governor since Munoz Marin. Rossello had attracted billions of dollars of investment and tens of thousands of jobs.
Then a single-interest group got offended at three sentences in 889 pages of STOLEN, HACKED PRIVATE chat messages, and set the kids loose in Old San Juan.
Now the Congress of Puerto Rico is committing Legislative Suicide by convincing everyone they are incompetent -- just read the comments here.
2
@Tom Mariner wait are you one of the bitcoin people or one of the hedge fund ones who moved to PR to not pay taxes?
7
Puerto Rico has a Supreme Court?
Pierluisi sworn in as governor. Who was the last governor?
Paragraph 7: "[...] his predecessor, Ricardo A. Rosselló, [...]“
1
The Spanish American War was based on a false premise about the USS Maine being sunk. Puerto Rico should be returned to Spain.
17
@James mCowan
PR was the pretext for taking the Philippines.
A Spanish garison besieged itself for 337 days after Spain sold its Islands.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Baler
2
@James mCowan And New York City to the Dutch, and Istanbul to the Greeks!
9
Do you think Spain would want it back at this point? I think not.
5
H. L. Mencken would have had a field day with this type of lunatic shenanigan.
10
They're one step closer to their so-called president taking over, and God knows, he's the most incompetent, corrupt buffoon the world has seen in this century.
9
@GKSanDiego Wrong. That honor goes to trump, our so-called president.
5
@William Moersch
P.R.'s president is our president.
3
@Thomas Zaslavsky
You will have to inform Trump that he is the President of Puerto Rico...he does not know that!
5
Senor Pedro Pierluisi was certainly trying to pull a fast one! He's got what appears to be Drumpf (Trump) genes and who would have known Mr. Trump had an Hispanic relative in Puerto Rico but the little guy (in Trump's shorts) does get around despite his wee demeanor, so it's hard not to believe that Pedro (the little Peter) and Drumpf ( the wee Trump) aren't related?
2
Thomas had never seen such a mess.
3
Who would have thought, that Puerto Rican's 'rule of law' has more weight, and probity, than these continental United States? Could unhinged Trump have anything to do with that? You be the judge!
64
@manfred marcus
Except that Puerto Rico is not paying on its bonds, which it is constitutionally required to do - a fact which was the PR government’s own selling point. So let’s not hold them up as paragons of virtue.
7
@Mike
They can't pay, and the bonds are the result of corruption. Where's the virtue?
4
@Thomas Zaslavsky
The bonds are the result of corruption? They may have funded corruption, but they were legally issued, evaluated by ratings agencies, and sold to the public, expressly stating that they have to be paid back per the Puerto Rican constitution.
4
Mr. Pierluisi...made the decision himself to take the oath — in spite of the controversy that he knew existed over the 2005 statute, which had never been challenged in court. “Who was going to stop me?”
The Court will and did stop you, Mr. Pierluisi. Your naked power grab shows avarice at the heart of your choice to ignore the law.
45
The right decision. But it will pave the way for right-wing Resident Commissioner and Trump supporter, Jenniffer Gonzalez to become governor. The ruling party can say goodbye to the executive and legislative branches in 2020.
15
@Val Perz Good. Gonzalez has worked hard to build support for Puerto Rico in the US Congress. To the cynics who have made nasty comments here, remember that Puerto Ricans are US citizens. They at least deserve our goodwill.
1
Fellini and Buñuel would be proud. What a circus.
23
@Carol
The circus we are watching since Trump took office is worse.
12
Go, Puerto Rico! Show the rest of the U.S. government how a lawful society works! (talking to you, McConnell, Trump, and Scalia)
88
@Trey Harris
Um..Justice Scalia is dead. Did you miss that? It was in all the papers.
12
He lives on in his ridiculous interpretation of the Second Amendment.
7
While not a Rosselló supporter by any means, now what? A person who has publicly stated she doesn't want to be governor becomes governor. Sounds like a good time...
ay yai yai
12
@boricua en LA
Ay, ay, ay.
Whether she wants to be governor or not is not the issue. The issue is that Pierluisi proclaimed himself governor and had a orivate swearing in without following legal and constitutional provisions. If Ms Vazquez did not want to be governor she should have resigned as Secretary of Justice.
16
@boricua en LA The way things are going, it sounds like a good thing that the person in power isn't power hungry.
17
@boricua en LA
Sometimes the best people to have in power are those who don't want power in the first place.
5
My Puerto Rico flag is flying out front and my heart is with the people.
36
Clearly more concerned about the rule of law than the US Supreme Court.
94
@Imperato There's no rule of law in PR. It's just endless jockeying for position.
7
@Oliver Fine
Their Supreme Court just cited their Constitution! What are you talking about?
7