Letter #2 (July 2023)

“The only way to end a culture of violence is to proactively create a culture of peace.” Marianne Williamson

The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20500

July 1, 2023

Dear Mr. President,

I moved to Puerto Rico in the summer of 2021 in the midst of COVID-19 to be near my daughter and their family.
Like most stateside Americans, I felt Hurricane Maria was the sole cause of the devastating effects of destruction
and economic hardship. As time went on and I did more research, I realized the challenges were multilayered and
have continued for over a century. Hurricane Maria brought everything to light.

Let’s be clear. There are those who will never allow Puerto Rico to become a state, nor should that actually be
our goal. There are 50 examples and over 400+ years of how the United States has “warmly embraced” the
inhabitants already in place and “continued” to love/nurture/support the land, environment, and people.
Additionally, there is too much money being laundered here, with many tax breaks for the rich. Too many enjoy
untold profits of living in and exploiting Puerto Rico at the cost of/on the backs of… (sound familiar?). Allow us to
finally reap the financial benefits and economic gain we have worked for and richly deserve, rather than “the
powers that be” continually eroding what little we have.

Goals (just for starters):

• Permanent Puerto Rico Commission/Task Force solely for the purpose of moving Puerto Rico forward,
  supported only by those who have a genuine, vested interest in the betterment of Puerto Rico
• Permanent Education Task Force/Commission to properly fund and support our public schools and universities
• Disaster preparedness and recovery
• Sustainability throughout the island
• Support for our World Class Health Care system including Urgent Care facilities throughout the island
• Participation in the Affordable Care Act
• Strengthen our agricultural roots and maintain forestry and rainforests
• Think tank and training resource/source for renewable energy
• Testing/training ground and showcase for all forms of hybrid/electric transportation
• Use of solar and renewable energy throughout the island
• Senate/congressional representation with the ability to vote / assign voting representation to allow us to get
  things passed to support Puerto Rico
• Repeal the Jones Act

Do I expect this to be completed overnight or even in my lifetime Absolutely not. I am not looking for quick fixes to our problems here in Puerto Rico, I am looking for long-term, multi-generational solutions where we can continue to grow and evolve. I expect this to take the “Building a Cathedral” approach. Building a cathedral is like building generational wealth.

“Maybe belonging isn’t something that we do as a quick-fix strategy to gain racial equity or redress racial oppression.  Rather, it requires that we take a longer view of how to achieve transformative change.  As an illustration of this point, Brian McBride shared a story about what it takes to build a cathedral.

People who created the plans to build a cathedral would create 200-year plans!  They knew they knew they would never physically step into the edifice they were designing.  Maybe their grandchildren or great-grandchildren would see the end result, but the designers and builders themselves would never walk into the building they were creating.  What kind of mind does it take, and what type of practice and commitment does it take, to get up and work on something you know you will never see physically?  To work every day with only a dream and imagination that perhaps the next generations will enjoy what you’ve created.  This is the type of work of belonging…”

I believe the United States has lost its way.  Additionally, it’s time to change some of the ways we’ve done things for the past 400+ years.  Allow Puerto Rico to move forward.  Let us be the “Crown Jewel” of the United States, the beacon/lighthouse in the storm, the way-shower and embrace a new, loving, peaceful chapter where everyone thrives.  Allow Puerto Rico to create the path and light the way of what the United States should and can be – the example of everything good, the example of love.  We are already filled with love, peace, joy, (lots of music), and little to no structured racism.  Experience and talent are already here.  Everything/everyone is already in place.  We are ready, willing, and waiting.  Let us show you how it’s done.

My goal is to continue to shine light on our challenges and help Puerto Rico become the shining star of the United States.  There is much work to do.  It’s time for us to win this century-plus old battle.  We’ve been Cinderella far too long.  Allow Puerto Rico to go to the ball without losing our slippers this time.  Give us a seat at the table.  Let us work together to become the “fairy godparents” in grand style (think Billy Porter in the September 2021 Amazon Prime remake) and allow Puerto Rico to finally know its full glory. 

Thank you for making Puerto Rico a priority during your presidency and beyond.

For a deeper look, please feel free to visit our always evolving website: aboutpuertorico.org.