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Hernando Today

Cut U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite some slack

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 16, 2008

I was fortunate enough to have a nice visit in Puerto Rico and the availability of an international businessman as a tour guide to tell me "what's what" there.

It's a great place, but it is costing the U.S. taxpayer billions every year to support them and their upper middle class American lifestyle. Over 365 holidays per year makes them the world's happiest people?

It costs a fortune now to live there in the populated coastal areas. The multi-billion dollar public rail system is still not operating. Their unions and politicians stall any reasonable attempt to improve things that are a cash cow now.

There are now fewer Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico than in the U.S. simply because the island has a limited capacity to support permanent population. And, of course, the lesser fortunate are the ones who have to leave and move to cold places for employment. They are born citizens and can come and go like all of us.

They voted against statehood and independence a few years ago simply because they would be stupid to do that so long as the U.S. taxpayers are sending them billions of dollars and getting nothing back except cheap legal labor. If those become the only two choices, then we think things will be very different. Then they can get our foreign aid packages and loads of military presence. In other words nothing will change.

I think a major reason that Cuba is still on the no visit list is that it would bankrupt Puerto Rico's tourism and San Juan's air hub for the Caribbean.

They should put a picture of a "padlock" on their flag as crime is rampant there so everything is under lock and key. Every front yard has a locked gate.

It's been a great ride for them all these years. Soon the U.S. government will have to cut them loose or make them a state so they can be taxed to death just like the rest of us. Our government is broke, but they own the printing presses so Congress doesn't notice yet.

Freedom has its associated costs. Maybe Puerto Rico could improve their PR.

Doug Adams

Spring Hill

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