whatprgreen

                                                       What is Puerto Rico Greens?
                                                           Written By
                                                          Cris Torres
                                                  Sunday May 30th 2004

   For those of you familiar with the political aspects of Puerto Rico, you may find the phrase �Puerto Rico Greens� as somewhat of an oxymoron. Honestly, why should the oldest colony in the world be associated with any political branch of the United States? What would be the point of any organization on this island to join the ideology of any political party, knowing very well that the citizens of the island are not given the right to vote in the presidential elections? Why waste ones time and energy on political groups that have not cared in the past about the social and political situation of 3,957,988 men, woman and children? The truth is that if you have never lived on the island, you couldn�t possibly fathom the outrage one might feel from this crass lack of this most important constitutional right.
     What�s that you say? Puerto Rico's current constitutional arrangements are the result of a treaty signed in 1952? Are you also saying that Puerto Rico is a US territory, which has been given self-governing "commonwealth" status?
This status does not allow us to vote on any presidential election, for the simple fact of living on the island. Though if we wanted to move anywhere in the U.S. this right would automatically be given. Another �great� commonwealth right we have is to elect a Resident Commissioner who can go visit the U.S. House of Representatives as many times as he would like but always remembering that he is NOT permitted to vote, in anything, ever. A few other perks we get for being a �commonwealth� is the right NOT to have any representation in the U.S. Electoral College or US. Congress. Now, don�t think its all that bad. We also get the privilege to be sent off to war any time the President who we don�t have a say in voting for, sees fit. Oh, and also we get a tax exemption that makes everything I have stated before hand all right.
     Now, I don�t want to sound ungracious, but the simple truth is that almost four million citizens of the United States are living their lives with only a shred of their constitutional rights intact. Now many could argue one way or another on how Puerto Rican citizens have certain benefits that should entitle them to shut up, but our livelihoods are always dependant on the way the wind blows in Congress. Ultimately Puerto Rico is lingering on these two variables, it could become independent- a right not possessed by the states of the United States.
Alternatively, it could be admitted as a state of the United States by a vote of the Congress, in the same way that Hawaii was in 1959. Personally I would like to see the latter happen, being a native of Boston myself I would more than love Puerto Rico to become the 51st state. But that�s not the issue at hand; the issue here goes far beyond statehood my friends. It goes all the way back to the Spanish-American War in 1898. The feeling that many democracy loving Puerto Ricans is that if the United States decided to invade the island over a hundred years ago, then they should have finished the job and incorporated us into the Union. Is it too much to ask for the same benefits and rights as any other U.S. citizens?
     Well that�s the point we come to. No Democrat or Republican has ever cared enough about this issue to do anything about it. Puerto Rico stands on in limbo, and most political runners are too blindsided to see the potential in achieving a change on the rights of the islands� inhabitants. Though I know that over 4 million voting Puerto Ricans� reside in New York and other states. This is a huge untapped pool of voters that are ever waiting for that one candidate/political party that wants to help the current situation on the island. And this is where Puerto Rico Greens comes in. If you are asking what candidate or political ideology is most favored among the Puerto Rican public, the answer is easy, THE GREEN PARTY. Yes, the green party who has the rights of the people in their minds is the most favored among most democratic seeking islanders. And from this overwhelming need is where Puerto Rico Greens is born.
     Every day more and more citizens become aware of the situation on the island and see the alternatives. Each day more and more begin to understand the complexity of our status and are determined to do something about it. The answer is easy but the journey is not. So, for the 4 million Puerto Rican voters in New York and elsewhere, I call all of you on behalf of your brothers and sisters on the island to go out and vote. I call on all of you, to embrace the United States Green Party and run for whatever office you feel is suitable. I call on all of you to vote for a change on the situation on your island and in your nation. Remember that Hispanics are the largest minority in the United States and it�s about damn time we use that to our advantage. Don�t be fooled by the false promises by Republicans or Democrats, neither are suitable to run a class election. The way to true democracy lies in the platforms and beliefs of the United States Green Party. To freedom and green fields! AMEN.