In eight days, Scotland will vote for its independence from England. This is a big deal and the world is watching. I’m watching and waiting to see what will happen to the impressive country that spawns a wonderful alcoholic beverage, great minds, beautiful scenery, and awesome (different word than awesome, can be more elegant) accents. But I have an ulterior motive. I’m taking notes while thinking of what will happen to the American colony that my parents hail from - Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico’s citizens want their status to be one of three things - independent of the U.S.A., the 51st state, or for it to remain as it is - a free associated state, and/or commonwealth of the U.S.A.
Puerto Rico’s citizens want their status to be one of three things - independent of the U.S.A., the 51st state, or for it to remain as it is - a free associated state, and/or commonwealth of the U.S.A.
What have I wanted? Well, being that I am an American citizen who intends to live on American soil for the rest of her life, my vote doesn’t count. But I will render an opinion. I used to live in Puerto Rico. Back then, I wanted it to remain the same as it had been for a long time - a free associated state. In the late eighties and early nineties, Puerto Rico had a good thing going with the U.S. Operation Bootstrap gave tax discounts to American pharmaceutical companies manufacturing in Puerto Rico, which I directly benefitted from. My mom worked for Abbott Pharmaceuticals for many years; my brother and sister both received scholarships from Abbott.
But Puerto Rico is not Scotland. Scotland has quite a few things going for it that Puerto Rico does not. Size and popluation; for example. Scotland is about eight times larger than Puerto Rico, and has almost twice as many people residing within its borders. Scotland also boasts a great whisky industry, as well as having the largest oil reserve in the UK. The Puerto Rican economy relies on manufacturing, tourism, and American subsidies. Puerto Rico’s enchanting exports include rum, music, boxers, baseball players, and gorgeous women, but that’s about it. At one time, it used to import the world’s best coffee and sugar. The island also has wonderful fruits and vegetables that grow nowhere else. I wish that Puerto Rico could get back to an economy that produces goods for others and not rely on America for work.
These days, I am rooting for Puerto Rico’s independence - but not yet. Once Puerto Rico can get a great economy of their own going, they will be there. As it is, many Puerto Ricans are flocking to American shores to escape the economic hardships of life over there. But others remain; my little brother is putting his sociology degrees to use over there, and he works hard to grant citizens access to governmental documents that pertain to the island’s wellbeing. He is opening a restaurant featuring dishes made from Puerto Rico’s harvests, too.
As far as Scotland is concerned, I am sure that there are other policies in place that I am missing - agreements that benefit both Scotland and England. But from my far away and largely uneducated position, Scotland looks like it is ready - ready in a way that Puerto Rico is not. So, I am rooting for them, and hoping to learn from them, too.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland#Economy_and_infrastructure
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Rico#Economy
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/09/10/cameron-scotland-independence/15375625/
photo credit: Flickr
But Puerto Rico is not Scotland. Scotland has quite a few things going for it that Puerto Rico does not. Size and popluation; for example. Scotland is about eight times larger than Puerto Rico, and has almost twice as many people residing within its borders. Scotland also boasts a great whisky industry, as well as having the largest oil reserve in the UK. The Puerto Rican economy relies on manufacturing, tourism, and American subsidies. Puerto Rico’s enchanting exports include rum, music, boxers, baseball players, and gorgeous women, but that’s about it. At one time, it used to import the world’s best coffee and sugar. The island also has wonderful fruits and vegetables that grow nowhere else. I wish that Puerto Rico could get back to an economy that produces goods for others and not rely on America for work.
These days, I am rooting for Puerto Rico’s independence - but not yet. Once Puerto Rico can get a great economy of their own going, they will be there. As it is, many Puerto Ricans are flocking to American shores to escape the economic hardships of life over there. But others remain; my little brother is putting his sociology degrees to use over there, and he works hard to grant citizens access to governmental documents that pertain to the island’s wellbeing. He is opening a restaurant featuring dishes made from Puerto Rico’s harvests, too.
As far as Scotland is concerned, I am sure that there are other policies in place that I am missing - agreements that benefit both Scotland and England. But from my far away and largely uneducated position, Scotland looks like it is ready - ready in a way that Puerto Rico is not. So, I am rooting for them, and hoping to learn from them, too.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland#Economy_and_infrastructure
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Rico#Economy
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/09/10/cameron-scotland-independence/15375625/
photo credit: Flickr
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