Crisis in Puerto Rico

ChrisHaulmark September 30, 2017 in ASL 16 Subscribers Subscribe

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Chris Haulmarkâ€‹ responds to the crisis in Puerto Rico, sharing the story of corporate corruption and Trump's negligence of the long-suffering island inhabitants.

Transcription:

[Visual Description: Chris Haulmark is standing in the kitchen wearing grey button-up, and long-sleeved shirt.]

Hello everyone!

This is Chris Haulmark, running for US House of Representatives in Kansasâ€™s Third Congressional District.

Today we are going to talk about the disaster in Puerto Rico.

As well as what is going on with President Trump's despicable response.

UNBELIEVABLE!

Wow.

The story is so much more involved than what the media has us believe.

Got it?

Let me share what is going on.

First, keep in mind that Puerto Rico is classified as an unincorporated territory.

Puerto Rico is not a State of the USA.

However, it is still part of the USA federation.

When the people are born and raised on Puerto Rico territory land, it means they are legally American citizens like us Kansans.

However, with limited citizenship rights, and Puerto Ricoâ€™s territorial government authority is limited as well- which isn't at the same level as the fifty states of United States.

Okay, nowâ€¦

Be aware that there is A HUGE amount of corruption thriving on Puerto Rico.

Indeed!

For example, utility companies repeatedly exploit the Puerto Ricans for massive profits.

How is that possible?

Okay, life on Puerto Rico requires electricity, water, and food.

Got it?

Those first two are very critical in public use.

Electricity is an absolute necessity.

So then..what goes on in Puerto Rico is..

See this refrigerator, that runs on electricity to keep milk and eggs at an ideal temperature, preventing spoilage.

That...

Similarly, hospitals and clinics in Puerto Rico need electricity, too.

They cannot constantly use short-term fuel supplies, for their generators are unable to provide electricity in the long-term.

So the islanders are truly reliant on municipal electricity.

Got it?

Suppose a natural crisis happens, like when Hurricane Maria struck and devastated the island.

Let's think about what could happen...

The electric grid would be shut down and the power infrastructure destroyed,
meaning there'd be no municipal power available.

What would the power company executives do?

They would play "victim," expecting the US government to bail the companies out, and waiting for foreign aid contributed from other countries.

There could also be charity assistance as well.

These companies wait months or years to receive money, then attempt to repair their infrastructure as cheaply as possible.

Repair just barely enough for electricity to run, but is it reliable?

No, not at all, as the electricity infrastructure is so OLD.

Itâ€™s a horrible disaster!

So.. what happens next?
Sometimes, the electricity businesses would simply leave Puerto Rico abandoning infrastructure repairs, making electricity EXPENSIVE!

Other predatory power companies jump in to take over and sit on repairs, waiting for bailouts as handouts.

That's how the corrupt power companies make exploitative profits!

Simultaneously, there are so many hedge funds being loaned to the Puerto Rico government, forcing the territory's government deep into debt, desperate for money from the start!

The government would have no choice, but to accept those high interest loans that are excessively expensive debt burdens to FINALLY help the Puerto Ricans.

What does our US federal government do?

NOTHING! which does not really help Puerto Rico.

You would notice that since during the last weeks, Trump has ignored what was going on with Puerto Rico crisis.

Instead, he distracted attention onto the outrageous NFL drama! and the national anthem protests!

This is what Trump wasted his attention on!

So, now, Trump FINALLY gave his attention to Puerto Rico today.

But, too little too late! There already has been devastating suffering on Puerto Rico!

And the evil corporate electric utilities continue to exploit the disaster!

This crisis is why I've been observing and mulling over what Congress should do.

I like the idea of incorporating Puerto Rico into the US federation as our 51st state.

I really do.

That would mean US Government shall pay off or cancel all the debts that Puerto Rico owes.

Why is that important for statehood?

Itâ€™s for the lives of Puerto Ricans- and they ARE Americans!

Just like all of us!

Definitely!

Let's fix Puerto Rico now!

[Video fades into a black background with a logo of a cartoonish Chris Haulmark signing â€œBelieveâ€ with white text of â€œYes, We Can Believeâ€ below the logo. There is the text ofÂ www.HaulmarkForCongress.comÂ at the bottom]