Puertoricans of all ages (but especially the young) are particularly savvy on issues and voting. Why then are the island's political problems so deeply entrenched?
Soon another election will be upon us. I am not here to make any predictions about the winners because I don't think there will be any. That is not to say I do not think one candidate will prevail over another and take office this January; that most certainly will happen. I just doubt that anyone will be a winner as a result.
And it's not for want of trying either. Voter participation in Puerto Rico is some of the highest in the world (over 70% on average) and for most Puertoricans, politics is not a taboo; meaning it can be discussed openly (and passionately) in mixed and even polite company.
With all this democratic idyll, you would think the accountability levels of the government would be off the charts. But that is an assumption as erroneous as it is correct. Let me explain.
Yes, there is significant corruption in Puerto Rico. Yes, the majority of Puertoricans are sick of it. And yes, the government is accountable to them because, in fact, Puertoricans voted for them and their corruption en masse. I am not saying this was a conscious choice, but it was a valid choice none-the-less, and one people on the mainland should take note of as a cautionary tale.
When things were good, Puertoricans and their government lavished largess in every direction. Social programs, Christmas bonuses, winks and nods toward shady contracts. If Uncle Tito could get every nephew and cousin a job, didn't we have an obligation to vote for his party if he asked us to? It was machine politics 101 run rampant and on full steam toward the nearest cliff.
Of course, good times never last forever. And when the tax money ran out, and the borrowed money ran out, and the time came to cut-back spending; suddenly everyone was "Shocked! Shocked!" that chicanery was going on. [CUE: Fingers pointing in every direction].
I do not mean to make light of a very serious problem, but the fact of the matter is this: without a significant change in attitude, no level of voter participation will amount to a hill of habichuelas. Puerto Rico needs investment. It needs capital. And it needs politicians who can keep their hands out of the till. We have the voters. We have the savvy. Now we need to apply our good sense"to throw the bums out!" as the old saying goes, and to make sure they stay out.
And that means we may have to tell Uncle Tito and his buddies no. But trust me. He (and they) will get over it. Eventually.
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