Six on Puerto Rico: Storm-ravaged Puerto Rico lies vulnerable to economic disaster

[Six on History]

Why would anyone in Puerto Rico want a hurricane? Because someone will get rich.

"Puerto Rico already had a higher rate of income inequality than any U.S. state, and it has only been made worse by tax incentives used to lure investors at the expense of a depleted public sector. Puerto Rico’s Act No. 22 allows wealthy investors to evade federal and local income tax by spending a minimum of 183 nights a year on the island. These types of initiatives promote the arrival of wealthy retirees and part-time Caribbean residents, who are able to erect multimillion-dollar mansions complete with hurricane-proof bunkers, while many of those born and raised in these societies must rely on public infrastructure that has been deeply eroded to service foreign debt and provide tax breaks."

Perspective | Why would anyone in Puerto Rico want a hurricane? Because someone will get rich.

Perspective | Why would anyone in Puerto Rico want a hurricane? Because ... Yarimar Bonilla How tax breaks and a quasi-colonial status make the island vulnerable to disasters.

Storm-ravaged Puerto Rico lies vulnerable to economic disaster

Storm-ravaged Puerto Rico lies vulnerable to economic disaster

Storm-ravaged Puerto Rico lies vulnerable to economic disaster Juan Gonzalez Ordinary people have learned to prepare for nature’s wrath. But man-made storms can be an even bigger danger.

Puerto Rico Is Already an Environmental Tragedy. Hurricane Maria Will Make It Even Worse.

Puerto Rico Is Already an Environmental Tragedy. Hurricane Maria Will Make It Even Worse.

Puerto Rico Is Already an Environmental Tragedy. Hurricane Maria Will Ma... Piles of coal ash, contaminated bomb-test sites, and crumbling sewage infrastructure are all likely to be aggrav...

‘If anyone can hear us … help.’ Puerto Rico’s mayors describe widespread devastation from Hurricane Maria

‘If anyone can hear us … help.’ Puerto Rico’s mayors describe widespread devastation from Hurricane Maria

‘If anyone can hear us … help.’ Puerto Rico’s mayors describe widespread... Samantha Schmidt The island is running out of drinking water and prescription drugs, but leaders are confident Puerto Ricans will...

Juan González on How Puerto Rico's Economic "Death Spiral" is Tied to Legacy of Colonialism

https://www.democracynow.org/2015/11/26/juan_gonzalez_on_how_puerto_ricos

Puerto Rico Is Getting Squeezed, and It Will Cost All of Us

Puerto Rico Is Getting Squeezed, and It Will Cost All of Us

Puerto Rico Is Getting Squeezed, and It Will Cost All of Us The path of austerity could spread economic pain and social woes far beyond the Caribbean island, says public de...