Puerto Ricans Flock to Florida

[Sandtrap328]

I read in The Daily Sun that Puerto Rico has around 100 people PER DAY have been leaving Puerto Rico and Florida is the top destination. The article says the Puerto Ricans are bringing their "bilingual skills" to Florida. These people are leaving Puerto Rico because of high unemployment and crime there. Most of these have immigrated to the Orlando area as well as the South Florida area. Is this going to be a Social Security and/or a voting issue?

[Cisco Kid]

I never knew Puerto Rico had a crime problem. But then I don't get out much.
I alway thought that would be a nice place to go.

[janmcn]

I read in The Daily Sun that Puerto Rico has around 100 people PER DAY have been leaving Puerto Rico and Florida is the top destination. The article says the Puerto Ricans are bringing their "bilingual skills" to Florida. These people are leaving Puerto Rico because of high unemployment and crime there. Most of these have immigrated to the Orlando area as well as the South Florida area. Is this going to be a Social Security and/or a voting issue?


Why shouldn't they relocate to Florida. They are American citizens. The article quoted said the are leaving because of "high unemployment and crime there". It's doubtful anyone would move just for the purpose of voting in a presidential election.

[Rags123]

"Puerto Ricans have been migrating by the thousands to the area — part of the largest exodus from their island territory to the mainland since World War II. They currently make up about 10 percent of Central Florida's population, and their numbers continue to grow."

How a surge in Puerto Rican voters is changing Florida politics (http://news.yahoo.com/how-a-surge-in-puerto-rican-voters-is-changing-florida-politics-150912696.html)

This article is strictly about the new politics of this migration.

[sunnyatlast]

They are flooding here for the same reason a Puerto Rican man told me he came here for, to work and raise his kids and send them to Belleview HS and all are doing well with degrees.

It's the terrible crime rate, which made even him, a native speaker of Spanish, afraid to go out of his hotel room in San Juan when he went to see relatives a couple of years ago. He left after one day and couldn't wait to get back to Florida.

The jihadists in Guantanamo are safer than many on the streets of the USA and its territories like P.R., where 30+ released Gitmo criminals are plotting with ISIS against us.

The "rights" of criminals often seem to matter more than the rights of citizens, which Puerto Ricans are.

[Kahuna32162]

I agree with Janmcn. These people are not immigrating they are simply moving from Puerto Rico to Florida, just like anyone who would move from New Jersey to Florida. They are US Citizens and can travel freely and choose wherever they might want to live. If their bilingual skills give them a leg up in the job market, more power to them, we can also use more tax paying residents in this state.

[quirky3]

To me, you are implying that there is something wrong with Puerto Rican people coming here to their country of citizenship.

It seems to me that some people are just in denial of the reality that all countries' cultures are changing and will continue to change. Again a result of globilization through communication and travel. Not talking about illegal entry or criminals, but people like you and me. So?

[Rags123]

To me, you are implying that there is something wrong with Puerto Rican people coming here to their country of citizenship.

It seems to me that some people are just in denial of the reality that all countries' cultures are changing and will continue to change. Again a result of globilization through communication and travel. Not talking about illegal entry or criminals, but people like you and me. So?


I am not sure to whom you are posting, but allow me to be clear. I was not in anyway even implying anything wrong.

It does change the landscape politically and the OP did not seem to be aware of the situation in Puerto Rico and I simply posted some information on how it MAY affect the political landscape.

Actually, he made mention of a few things, and if I am correct, they pay into Social Security and are eligible to collect, although it might be a modifed version

Puerto Ricans have been considered citizens for some time.

[rubicon]

"When your a jet your a jet all the way from your first born breathe to your last dying day ":D:D:D:D

[TexaninVA]

To me, you are implying that there is something wrong with Puerto Rican people coming here to their country of citizenship.

It seems to me that some people are just in denial of the reality that all countries' cultures are changing and will continue to change. Again a result of globilization through communication and travel. Not talking about illegal entry or criminals, but people like you and me. So?

If the "good folks" migrate here, get a job, work and all the other normal things, the more the merrier. Welcome aboard.

I think the concern is bringing toxic elements with them don't you think? Not saying that is the case but simply the topic people wonder about.

Another question is ... since PR is presumably a semi-socialist paradise anyway, why would anyone ever want to leave?

[TexaninVA]

I read in The Daily Sun that Puerto Rico has around 100 people PER DAY have been leaving Puerto Rico and Florida is the top destination. The article says the Puerto Ricans are bringing their "bilingual skills" to Florida. These people are leaving Puerto Rico because of high unemployment and crime there. Most of these have immigrated to the Orlando area as well as the South Florida area. Is this going to be a Social Security and/or a voting issue?

Interesting ... had not heard so thanks for posting.

You really can't blame people for wanting to flee and gain a better life.

A related question however is ...what caused the place they currently live to deteriorate into such an unlivable hell-hole in the first place? Maybe we can learn from their dysfunction and avoid it happening here?

[Bogie Shooter]

If the "good folks" migrate here, get a job, work and all the other normal things, the more the merrier. Welcome aboard.

I think the concern is bringing toxic elements with them don't you think? Not saying that is the case but simply the topic people wonder about.

Another question is ... since PR is presumably a semi-socialist paradise anyway, why would anyone ever want to leave?

Guess that would apply for anyone coming from another state.
The underlying thing you are avoiding by using "toxic" is race, why not just say it?

[Sandtrap328]

[QUOTE=TexaninVA;961338]Interesting ... had not heard so thanks for posting.
QUOTE]

Page A5 of today's Daily Sun.

[Bogie Shooter]

I read in The Daily Sun that Puerto Rico has around 100 people PER DAY have been leaving Puerto Rico and Florida is the top destination. The article says the Puerto Ricans are bringing their "bilingual skills" to Florida. These people are leaving Puerto Rico because of high unemployment and crime there. Most of these have immigrated to the Orlando area as well as the South Florida area. Is this going to be a Social Security and/or a voting issue?

Now that you have brought it up.............what do you think?

[CFrance]

I never knew Puerto Rico had a crime problem. But then I don't get out much.
I alway thought that would be a nice place to go.

It is a VERY nice place to go. My husband used to have responsibility for a plant in Ponce, and we would go down every year. It has stunningly beautiful beaches, turquoise water, lovely weather, trade wind breezes, excellent restaurants, but like any other Caribbean place, there is crime and poverty. You have to stay in the safe areas.

[Rags123]

Now that you have brought it up.............what do you think?

They are already part of the Social Security program.

[blueash]

There are 20 million people in Florida. Somehow I don't think adding 100 people a day will have any impact at all. The birth rate in Florida is about 1 per 100 per year. So that would be 200,000 newborns a year. There are already 4 million immigrants living in Florida which would not even include Puerto ricans. I say, Welcome to Florida.

[TexaninVA]

Guess that would apply for anyone coming from another state.
The underlying thing you are avoiding by using "toxic" is race, why not just say it?

The reason I didn't say "race" is because that's not what I was referring to ... but apparently you are? Besides, PR is not a "race" anyway as far as I know.

I also think it's pretty obvious that any culture, race, group etc has "good folks" in it as well as "bad apples"... look no further than The Villages and the police reports in villagesnews online to see that.

[Indydealmaker]

Crime is bad in PR. The last time I was there, the hotel made a point of warning us to stay off of the beach at night. Some of the resorts have 24/7 armed security on the beach and most of these are in relatively decent areas.

Poverty feeds crime and 41% of Puerto Ricans live below the poverty line.

[rubicon]

The OP simply stated that Puerto Ricans are flocking to Florida based on a Daily Sun article.

How this thread digressed to a racial topic is beyond me?

[Shimpy]

These people are leaving Puerto Rico because of high unemployment and crime there. Most of these have immigrated to the Orlando area as well as the South Florida area. Is this going to be a Social Security and/or a voting issue?


They aren't going to find much less crime and unemployment in Miami.

[quirky3]

The OP's reference to "Puerto Ricans bringing their bringing their "bilingual skills" to Florida" sounds racist to me.

But maybe I read that wrong. Maybe they are thrilled and hope for more and better bilingual skills over time.

[gomoho]

The OP simply stated that Puerto Ricans are flocking to Florida based on a Daily Sun article.

How this thread digressed to a racial topic is beyond me?

Rubicon - really? did you forget you're on TOTV - I'm surprised it hasn't somehow turned into a dog poop or round-a-bout thread!

[Indydealmaker]

Discussing race and acknowledging someone is of a different race is not, in and of itself, racist.

Someone is racist who: believes and expresses that the characteristics of a specific race make those of that race inferior. If it is not clear that a remark is intended to defame and/or degrade another due to a racial characteristic, then those remarks are not necessarily racist.

For instance the comment regarding "bilingual skills" is quite astute when you consider that so many Hispanic immigrants (regardless of legal status) speak little or no English. Puerto Ricans as bilingual Hispanics will have a decided edge in business and in employment.

[TexaninVA]

The OP's reference to "Puerto Ricans bringing their bringing their "bilingual skills" to Florida" sounds racist to me.



I don't understand why you would say this sounds "racist" ??? Don't you think that might be somewhat overly sensitive?

[sunnyatlast]

The OP's reference to "Puerto Ricans bringing their bringing their "bilingual skills" to Florida" sounds racist to me.

But maybe I read that wrong. Maybe they are thrilled and hope for more and better bilingual skills over time.

Most people think it's an asset to be fluent in two languages (bilingual).

I suppose that statement of mine will be twisted to be "racist" too.

I'm gonna hurl.

[quirky3]

I'm so happy to hear people on TOTV welcome and encourage bilingual skills in the US!

[Sandtrap328]

The OP's reference to "Puerto Ricans bringing their bringing their "bilingual skills" to Florida" sounds racist to me.

But maybe I read that wrong. Maybe they are thrilled and hope for more and better bilingual skills over time.

Actually that was a phrase directly from The Daily Sun, Oct. 31, page A5.

[Bonanza]

I never knew Puerto Rico had a crime problem. But then I don't get out much.
I alway thought that would be a nice place to go.

I've lived there and crime is nothing new.

However, it is a wonderful place to visit.
It's a beautiful island and as long as you aren't looking for trouble,
you probably won't find it.

[casita37]

I'm not so sure about the bilingual skills. I've spent a lot of time in PR, and not everybody speaks English. I remember once having a hard time ordering a cheeseburger at a fast food place with a sign on the wall that was actually written in English, as well as Spanish. The young man couldn't understand either cheeseburger or my southern accent attempt at hamburguesa con queso.

[Beechie]

The OP's reference to "Puerto Ricans bringing their bringing their "bilingual skills" to Florida" sounds racist to me.

But maybe I read that wrong. Maybe they are thrilled and hope for more and better bilingual skills over time.

"Puerto Ricans bringing their "bilingual skills" to Florida" does not sound racist in the least.

Folks, we need to be extremely careful when throwing accusations that one's comments sound racist and then throw in a "Maybe I read that wrong" to negate the inference. Libel is Libel. As it turns out it was not the OP's words in the quote.

In the court of public opinion once an accusation or inference is made, the targeted is typically guilty until proven innocent. How unfair is that?

It is however a very effective tool in quelling a debate.

[graciegirl]

I read in The Daily Sun that Puerto Rico has around 100 people PER DAY have been leaving Puerto Rico and Florida is the top destination. The article says the Puerto Ricans are bringing their "bilingual skills" to Florida. These people are leaving Puerto Rico because of high unemployment and crime there. Most of these have immigrated to the Orlando area as well as the South Florida area. Is this going to be a Social Security and/or a voting issue?


I don't understand this post at all. What are you getting at? I met my first person born in Puerto Rico just the other day. He is a friend of one of the very loved posters on here. Nice man, nice family. Is there something that I don't know? How could you call any of this racist? He is just an ordinary person, I guess he is white? If he had been pink with yellow polka dots he would have been a nice person. Is their some hatred I am not aware of against people born in Puerto Rico?

[Wandatime]

I read in The Daily Sun that Puerto Rico has around 100 people PER DAY have been leaving Puerto Rico and Florida is the top destination. The article says the Puerto Ricans are bringing their "bilingual skills" to Florida. These people are leaving Puerto Rico because of high unemployment and crime there. Most of these have immigrated to the Orlando area as well as the South Florida area. Is this going to be a Social Security and/or a voting issue?

No.

[Sandtrap328]

The voting issue the article referred to was that the majority of the Puerto Ricans are influencing the voting complexion in South Florida and the large Orlando area from "red" to "blue".

The Social Security issue was the Puerto Ricans are adding to the Social Security tax pot with the jobs and businesses they are creating.

It is a very positive thing that is happening.

[Chi-Town]

I don't understand this post at all. What are you getting at? I met my first person born in Puerto Rico just the other day. He is a friend of one of the very loved posters on here. Nice man, nice family. Is there something that I don't know? How could you call any of this racist? He is just an ordinary person, I guess he is white? If he had been pink with yellow polka dots he would have been a nice person. Is their some hatred I am not aware of against people born in Puerto Rico?

Did you see West Side Story? [emoji6]

[BarryRX]

If the "good folks" migrate here, get a job, work and all the other normal things, the more the merrier. Welcome aboard.

I think the concern is bringing toxic elements with them don't you think? Not saying that is the case but simply the topic people wonder about.

Another question is ... since PR is presumably a semi-socialist paradise anyway, why would anyone ever want to leave?

I was tempted to reply about the toxic elements coming from Texas, but that would be as wrong as your reply. I do not worry about toxic elements from Puerto Rico or Texas or Michigan or Ohio.....well you get my point. Nor do I wonder why anyone would leave a state that has a different tax system or offers more or less services to their citizens.
By the way, one thousand people move to Florida each day, so 90% of the people that move here daily are not from Puerto Rico.

[rubicon]

Did you see West Side Story? [emoji6]

Hi Chi-Town: Perhaps you didn't read my first post (#9) It read:
"when your a jet your a jet all the way from your first born breathe to your last dying day"

I wrote that because I saw the thread going the, are you a racist route. i thought perhaps we were going in a different direction such as what affect will this have on future voting in Florida, or something like that. gonoho knew better and rhetorically ask what did you expect?

WHAT is very revealing is the state of mind which not only permeates this forum but the nation and I blame it on a two word restrictive notion POLITICAL CORRECTNESS. POLITICAL CORRECTNESS IS MORE A MORE OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE barf THAN OBSCENE LANGUAGE:cus:

[Chi-Town]

Hi Chi-Town: Perhaps you didn't read my first post (#9) It read:
"when your a jet your a jet all the way from your first born breathe to your last dying day"

I wrote that because I saw the thread going the, are you a racist route. i thought perhaps we were going in a different direction such as what affect will this have on future voting in Florida, or something like that. gonoho knew better and rhetorically ask what did you expect?

WHAT is very revealing is the state of mind which not only permeates this forum but the nation and I blame it on a two word restrictive notion POLITICAL CORRECTNESS. POLITICAL CORRECTNESS IS MORE A MORE OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE barf THAN OBSCENE LANGUAGE:cus:
You are so right about missing your lyric reference. I can hear it my head now. Being followed by I Feel Pretty. Oh no.

BTW, I understand what you're saying about everyone having to be PC. I saw this coming years ago and it just gets more demanding.

[quirky3]

The voting issue the article referred to was that the majority of the Puerto Ricans are influencing the voting complexion in South Florida and the large Orlando area from "red" to "blue".

The Social Security issue was the Puerto Ricans are adding to the Social Security tax pot with the jobs and businesses they are creating.

It is a very positive thing that is happening.

Cool!!:coolsmiley:

[Rags123]

Hi Chi-Town: Perhaps you didn't read my first post (#9) It read:
"when your a jet your a jet all the way from your first born breathe to your last dying day"

I wrote that because I saw the thread going the, are you a racist route. i thought perhaps we were going in a different direction such as what affect will this have on future voting in Florida, or something like that. gonoho knew better and rhetorically ask what did you expect?

WHAT is very revealing is the state of mind which not only permeates this forum but the nation and I blame it on a two word restrictive notion POLITICAL CORRECTNESS. POLITICAL CORRECTNESS IS MORE A MORE OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE barf THAN OBSCENE LANGUAGE:cus:


I suspect that some of these threads are begun hoping the topic will route the way you mentioned !

[graciegirl]

Did you see West Side Story? [emoji6]


Yes.

Maria. I just met a girl named Maria. And suddenly that name will never be the same...:sing:

Is there something bad I don't know?:shrug:

This couple was very nice, only he was born in Puerto Rico, They have been married for a long time and they have twin grandchildren whose names are Gabriel and Elena and they are very proud of them. He has lived here for a long time and went to college here. He has a Spanish name and worked all of his life in IT. I thought he was a very nice person, particularly too because he is a very close friend of a dear friend of ours.

He is a U.S. Citizen, pays his taxes, votes, is a responsible and very charming person. What am I missing? I was thirty before I met a person of Asian descent and forty before I met a Native American, and in my thirties before I met a Mexican person. I'm from Ohio. I knew a lot of German people. When I was a very little girl there was some prejudice against German people.

[Villages PL]

The reason I didn't say "race" is because that's not what I was referring to ... but apparently you are? Besides, PR is not a "race" anyway as far as I know.

I also think it's pretty obvious that any culture, race, group etc has "good folks" in it as well as "bad apples"... look no further than The Villages and the police reports in villagesnews online to see that.

In addition to some "bad apples" how about cultural differences overall.
I have no idea whether or not there are any cultural differences, I'm just asking.

My cousin left south Florida and moved to central Florida partly because of Cubans. And also because of a rising crime rate. That's not to say that Cubans were responsible for the rising crime rate. He cited cultural differences.

[Villages PL]

They aren't going to find much less crime and unemployment in Miami.

That's true. Many of my relatives moved out of the Miami area because of the rising crime rate.

[TexaninVA]

I was tempted to reply about the toxic elements coming from Texas, but that would be as wrong as your reply. I do not worry about toxic elements from Puerto Rico or Texas or Michigan or Ohio.....well you get my point. Nor do I wonder why anyone would leave a state that has a different tax system or offers more or less services to their citizens.
By the way, one thousand people move to Florida each day, so 90% of the people that move here daily are not from Puerto Rico.

Well, actually you did succumb to your temptation didn't you? But, in the meantime, while you expressed "no problem" if anyone moves here no matter criminal record, no ability to support themselves, drug issues (how wonderfully open minded of you) you have not yet explained why my post about "toxic elements" was wrong per se. Someone else already implied that was 'racist' and I replied to that.

I think what I said was common sense but most won't say it because of ... well replies like yours to be blunt.

[BarryRX]

...

[Wandatime]

Here is a link to a good article about why Puerto Ricans are leaving the island:

Plagued By Violence, Bad Economy, Puerto Rico Rings In 2014 With Bang; 13 Murders In 5 Days | Fox News Latino (http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2014/01/08/plagued-by-violence-bad-economy-puerto-rico-rings-in-2014-with-bang-13-murders/)

[lpkshop]

I have absolutely NO problem with this. Many of my friends are Puerto Rican and I have always been I pressed with their family values Nd work ethics

[TexaninVA]

Here is a link to a good article about why Puerto Ricans are leaving the island:

Plagued By Violence, Bad Economy, Puerto Rico Rings In 2014 With Bang; 13 Murders In 5 Days | Fox News Latino (http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2014/01/08/plagued-by-violence-bad-economy-puerto-rico-rings-in-2014-with-bang-13-murders/)

I looked at the link ... how depressing.

Here's an excerpt that jumped out:

"Many economic experts worry that Puerto Rico could default on its debt, which in turn might engulf the island in even more crime as money and jobs become scarcer.

“Not only is there a debt problem, but there’s a deep structural problem,” Juan Carlos Hidalgo, a Latin America policy analyst at the Cato Institute told Fox News Latino in December. “Puerto Rico has one of the lowest labor participation rates in the world. Only about 40 percent of the working age population is in the labor force.”

The bigger question becomes ... how did PR evolve to this dysfunctional status? Another question is ... why do societies never seem to learn that the path to wealth is not thru state-focused dependence?

[Indydealmaker]

I looked at the link ... how depressing.

Here's an excerpt that jumped out:

"Many economic experts worry that Puerto Rico could default on its debt, which in turn might engulf the island in even more crime as money and jobs become scarcer.

“Not only is there a debt problem, but there’s a deep structural problem,” Juan Carlos Hidalgo, a Latin America policy analyst at the Cato Institute told Fox News Latino in December. “Puerto Rico has one of the lowest labor participation rates in the world. Only about 40 percent of the working age population is in the labor force.”

The bigger question becomes ... how did PR evolve to this dysfunctional status? Another question is ... why do societies never seem to learn that the path to wealth is not thru state-focused dependence?

I wonder if we contributed to this as a result of the billions of dollars we send Puerto Rico each year?

[rubicon]

That's why we would not officially make them a state

[Ruthtomnorma3]

If the "good folks" migrate here, get a job, work and all the other normal things, the more the merrier. Welcome aboard.

I think the concern is bringing toxic elements with them don't you think? Not saying that is the case but simply the topic people wonder about.

Another question is ... since PR is presumably a semi-socialist paradise anyway, why would anyone ever want to leave?

THEY HAVE CHOICES JUST LIKE ME.......choice this or that......

[Shimpy]

That's true. Many of my relatives moved out of the Miami area because of the rising crime rate.

Those that welcome them with open arms would be advised to take spanish lessons because the large majority of them will refuse to learn english as did most of the Cubans and will insist that you speak their language. Try going down SW 8th street in Miami and talking english. Actually try going anywhere in Miami and trying to talk your native language.

[BarryRX]

[QUOTE=Shimpy;962407]Those that welcome them with open arms would be advised to take spanish lessons because the large majority of them will refuse to learn english as did most of the Cubans and will insist that you speak their language. Try going down SW 8th street in Miami and talking english. Actually try going anywhere in Miami and trying to talk your native language.[/

When it comes to language, I would guess that the south florida experience with spanish speaking immigrants is not much different than other areas of the country where non english speaking immigrants settled. A trip to various neighborhoods in New York during the last century would show that on the lower east side, Yiddish was mostly spoken, and of course in Little Italy it was Italian and in Chinatown it was a chinese dialect. Parts of the midwest had places where Polish was mostly spoken. It truly is part of the American experience. The children and grandchildren of those Cubans all speak english and they have built a thriving community with a culture that I enjoy. Their family values seem to be exactly the same as mine. They value family and education and believe in the American dream.

[CFrance]

[QUOTE=Shimpy;962407]Those that welcome them with open arms would be advised to take spanish lessons because the large majority of them will refuse to learn english as did most of the Cubans and will insist that you speak their language. Try going down SW 8th street in Miami and talking english. Actually try going anywhere in Miami and trying to talk your native language.[/

When it comes to language, I would guess that the south florida experience with spanish speaking immigrants is not much different than other areas of the country where non english speaking immigrants settled. A trip to various neighborhoods in New York during the last century would show that on the lower east side, Yiddish was mostly spoken, and of course in Little Italy it was Italian and in Chinatown it was a chinese dialect. Parts of the midwest had places where Polish was mostly spoken. It truly is part of the American experience. The children and grandchildren of those Cubans all speak english and they have built a thriving community with a culture that I enjoy. Their family values seem to be exactly the same as mine. They value family and education and believe in the American dream.
I agree; this is the way it will go. The children will assimilate. It is a well documented fact that children learn a language with a different part of their brain than do adults, and that it is much more difficult for an adult to learn a second language than it is for a child. A lot of the animosity Americans have for foreigners coming here and "refusing" to learn English is due to a misunderstanding. It's just not that easy, and the older you are the harder it is.

[manaboutown]

I grew up mostly in New Mexico and although I am an Anglo I learned to cuss in Spanish before I could in English while in grade school. At the time the American Indians, Spanish-as they then liked to be called- and Anglos all got along pretty well although issues existed then which are somewhat exacerbated today. Many of the American Indians there were then and now are trilingual. My first wife and mother of my children is New Mexico Spanish and spoke Spanish in her home growing up. Her family is wonderful!

The first Puerto Ricans I met were in the Army and I cannot say they made a favorable impression on my for lots of reasons. Later in life when I spent a little time in Puerto Rico I found the people mostly kind and welcoming. I chuckled when several I encountered told me I could use a US postage stamp because they were a territory of the US.

One of my fraternity brothers in college was a Cuban youth leader who had been tortured by Castro but lived to escape Cuba. I met more Cubans when I worked in DC in the sixties, very smart, professional and hard working people. As most of us know the first Cubans to arrive were of the professional class, escaping Castro while the next bunch came from his prisons. That was when terrible crime engulfed Miami. My brother resided in Key Biscayne in a luxury high rise condo for several years. The first time I flew in to meet me he told me since I was coming in late we would not go out but would eat downstairs in the building's fine restaurant. He also told me we likely would be the only people speaking English in the place - and we were!

What I have found in life is that, as we all know, all English speakers are not alike and that similarly all Spanish speaking people are not alike. Consider England, the United States, South Africa, Australia, etc.; consider Spain, Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico.

Above all, no matter where they come from and what their native tongue, people are people; Some are good, some are bad; that is what I have found.

[Wandatime]

I grew up mostly in New Mexico and although I am an Anglo I learned to cuss in Spanish before I could in English while in grade school. At the time the American Indians, Spanish-as they then liked to be called- and Anglos all got along pretty well although issues existed then which are somewhat exacerbated today. Many of the American Indians there were then and now are trilingual. My first wife and mother of my children is New Mexico Spanish and spoke Spanish in her home growing up. Her family is wonderful!

The first Puerto Ricans I met were in the Army and I cannot say they made a favorable impression on my for lots of reasons. Later in life when I spent a little time in Puerto Rico I found the people mostly kind and welcoming. I chuckled when several I encountered told me I could use a US postage stamp because they were a territory of the US.

One of my fraternity brothers in college was a Cuban youth leader who had been tortured by Castro but lived to escape Cuba. I met more Cubans when I worked in DC in the sixties, very smart, professional and hard working people. As most of us know the first Cubans to arrive were of the professional class, escaping Castro while the next bunch came from his prisons. That was when terrible crime engulfed Miami. My brother resided in Key Biscayne in a luxury high rise condo for several years. The first time I flew in to meet me he told me since I was coming in late we would not go out but would eat downstairs in the building's fine restaurant. He also told me we likely would be the only people speaking English in the place - and we were!

What I have found in life is that, as we all know, all English speakers are not alike and that similarly all Spanish speaking people are not alike. Consider England, the United States, South Africa, Australia, etc.; consider Spain, Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico.

Above all, no matter where they come from and what their native tongue, people are people; Some are good, some are bad; that is what I have found.

I LOVED this post. Thank you so much for sharing your story and showing us your unique perspective. I hope to meet you one day. You sound like someone I'd enjoy having a conversation with. :beer3:

[sunnyatlast]

This Pew Research Hispanic page has lots of good info.

Jobs seem to be the driving force in people leaving and coming to the mainland, mainly to FL now.

AUGUST 11, 2014
Puerto Rican Population Declines on Island, Grows on U.S. Mainland

"……...The Island’s Economic Crisis

The onset of an economic crisis in 2006 that weakened the already-listless Puerto Rican economy likely played a role in the island’s accelerated population decline. More recent migrants to the mainland have been found to be less educated than those who remain on the island and more likely to hold less skilled jobs (Mora, Davila and Rodriguez, 2014).

According to a 2012 report on the Puerto Rican economy by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, “Puerto Rico’s economic progress has stalled: the Island has been operating below its potential for some time and the competitiveness of the economy continues to deteriorate.” The report cited persistently high unemployment and a low labor force participation rate, as well as heavy reliance on transfer payments such as food stamps (Federal Reserve Bank of New York, 2012).

The island’s recent economic crisis was fueled both by the overall U.S. recession and factors unique to the island. These included an end to longstanding Puerto Rican government corporate tax breaks in 2006, which led to business shutdowns and public- and private-sector layoffs.

More recently, the three major ratings agencies downgraded Puerto Rico’s debt to junk status this year, citing its long history of economic weakness (New York Times, 2014). The island’s debt burden began to grow after government expenses began outstripping revenues in the late 1990s (Federal Reserve, 2012)……"

Puerto Rican Population Declines on Island, Grows on U.S. Mainland | Pew Research Center's Hispanic Trends Project (http://www.pewhispanic.org/2014/08/11/puerto-rican-population-declines-on-island-grows-on-u-s-mainland/)

[LndLocked]

They are flooding here for the same reason a Puerto Rican man told me he came here for, to work and raise his kids and send them to Belleview HS and all are doing well with degrees.

It's the terrible crime rate, which made even him, a native speaker of Spanish, afraid to go out of his hotel room in San Juan when he went to see relatives a couple of years ago. He left after one day and couldn't wait to get back to Florida.

The jihadists in Guantanamo are safer than many on the streets of the USA and its territories like P.R., where 30+ released Gitmo criminals are plotting with ISIS against us.

The "rights" of criminals often seem to matter more than the rights of citizens, which Puerto Ricans are.

Just out of shear curiosity .... would you care to document your source on this?????

[LndLocked]

If the "good folks" migrate here, get a job, work and all the other normal things, the more the merrier. Welcome aboard.

I think the concern is bringing toxic elements with them don't you think? Not saying that is the case but simply the topic people wonder about.

Another question is ... since PR is presumably a semi-socialist paradise anyway, why would anyone ever want to leave?

Presumed by whom and based on what?????

[VT2TV]

I read in The Daily Sun that Puerto Rico has around 100 people PER DAY have been leaving Puerto Rico and Florida is the top destination. The article says the Puerto Ricans are bringing their "bilingual skills" to Florida. These people are leaving Puerto Rico because of high unemployment and crime there. Most of these have immigrated to the Orlando area as well as the South Florida area. Is this going to be a Social Security and/or a voting issue?


Of course it is.

[Sandtrap328]

Of course it is.

I sure hope you mean that in a positive way.

Look at my post 34 on this thread. It explains my feeling.

Don't forget that Puerto Ricans are Americans and have all the same rights as any other American citizen.

[janmcn]

I sure hope you mean that in a positive way.

Look at my post 34 on this thread. It explains my feeling.

Don't forget that Puerto Ricans are Americans and have all the same rights as any other American citizen.

Puerto Ricans have all the same rights as any other American citizen except voting for president, or el persidente as we say back home.

The Villages could use some salsa music, salsa dancing, and spicy Puerto Rican food. It might liven things up around here.

[TexaninVA]

The Villages could use some salsa music, salsa dancing, and spicy Puerto Rican food. It might liven things up around here.

Excellent point ... have to agree with you on that :)