Counting Down Bush's Last Days

Like many others, I am extremely happy and exhilirated with the election of Obama. Listening to his victory speech, and seeing the electrifying crowd in Times Square, made me miss living in New York just a tiny bit. I wish I could have joined the euphoric celebration! Naturally, everyone is emphasizing how Obama will become the first black U.S president. We are indeed living in exciting times, this is history in the making. However, I think people should get over the fact that he's black and focus on the facts and issues. The country faces a very difficult and grim economic and geopolitical situation. Increasing unemployment, slumping housing prices, the situation in Iraq and the political tension with Russia, just to name a few. Obama has inherited quite a headache but I think the country chose the better candidate. In the meantime, I just can't wait until the Bush presidency is over.

Here in the Island of Enchantment, Luis Fortuño of the Partido Nuevo Progresista (PNP), which is the blue party, will become the next Governor. Historically, there's an opposing trend between the U.S and Puerto Rico. Whenever there's a Democrat in the White House, there's a PNP Governor in La Fortaleza. The PNP favors statehood, while the Partido Popular Democratico (PPD) favors the status quo. One of the things I dislike about living here is how the local news seems to ignore the outside world. For example, the day after the elections, El Nuevo Día, the most widely-read local newspaper, had a tiny photo of Obama while the image of Luis Fortuño dominated the front page. Thank goodness for the Internet and cable tv, my gateway to the outside world!

(Image obtained from http://www.bushlastday.com/ and www.endi.com)

An Election Frenzy

It's hard to believe how it's all coming to an end. After a dramatic campaign year, tomorrow is the day when voters finally decide who should become the next President of the United States. Puerto Ricans, those who live in the island, cannot participate in choosing the next Commander in Chief. However, tomorrow is also Election Day here, and they will be heading to the voting booths to help elect the next governor. It is quite obvious how Puerto Ricans are so passionate about politics. I've blogged about how Puerto Ricans wear their political colors on their sleeve, and it was truly the case this past weekend. We saw a countless number of people hanging their respective political party's flag, as well as the American one, from their cars. The Puerto Rican elections are also quite interesting this year, as the current governor has quite a large number of corruption charges leveled against him. It's hard to imagine why voters will elect him again, but one never knows. Anything is possible. People here are so loyal to their political party.

As for me, I have already sent my absentee ballot for the U.S elections, and I will also be voting tomorrow for the local elections. Thus far, I have not really talked about my political preferences because I don't want to make this a political blog. However, I must say I'm an Obama supporter. This is certainly one of the most important elections in the history of the U.S and I really hope everyone who is elegible to vote will do so tomorrow.

(Images obtained from www.endi.com and www.barackobama.com, respectively)

2008 Elections in Puerto Rico

For those who can vote in Puerto Rico, and have not yet registered, September 15th marks the last day for you to do so. Note to self: must go register! This will be the first time in which I get the chance to vote in the Island of Enchantment, and it should be interesting. On November 4th, just like in the U.S, Puerto Rico will be holding its general elections. The governor of Puerto Rico, and the mayor of San Juan, amongst many others, are up for re-election.

These elections will also be historical, because for the first time in Puerto Rican history, the ballots will also be in English. This was quite a controversy, since many Puerto Ricans thought it was a waste of money and unneccesary, since the large majority of the population speaks Spanish. However, an estimated 14% of the people living in Puerto Rico speak English, or another language. I don't see why something as important as a voting ballot shouldn't be translated into English, especially since Puerto Rico is officially part of the U.S.

Comparing the elections both in the U.S and Puerto Rico, there are obviously many differences and similarties. Many of the issues which concerns Americans, such as the economy, health care and education, are also shared by Puerto Ricans. On the other hand, I see Puerto Rican politics as having more mud slinging. This year has been especially grim. First of all, the current governor, Aníbal Acevedo Vilá, has been charged by federal authorities with over 20 counts of fraud, conspiracy and other campaign finance-related crimes. His opponent, Luis Fortuño, was enjoying a comfortable lead in the polls. However, he may be hurt by the recent corruption scandal of a local senator from his own party. Puerto Ricans are very loyal to their political parties, which are dominated by the Partido Nuevo Progresista (PNP) and the Partido Popular Democrático (PPD). Looks like we'll have quite an interesting election this year, both in the U.S and in Puerto Rico.

(Images obtained from www.ceepur.org and www.endi.com, respectively)

John McCain & Daddy Yankee

I hope you're sitting down for this, because this might potentially give your system a bit of a jolt... Yes, Daddy Yankee officially endorses John McCain for the presidency. Why? Well, he certainly didn't say much but did mention how he agrees with McCain's stance on immigration. By the way, in case you don't know who Daddy Yankee is, he's a huge reggaeton star who hails from... you guessed it, Puerto Rico! He's is also the singer who has taught many non-Spanish speakers how to say the word. gasolina (gasoline, in English), which is from one of his earliest hits.

Just simply take a look at this video and you'll notice how awkward McCain looks when he began to introduce his special guest. I couldn't help but chuckle when he mentioned that Daddy Yankee has been married for 15 years and that he embodies a great American success story. Can you just smell the sense of desperation which McCain is living with? Of course, reaching out to the Latino community is extremely crucial, as it is a rapidly growing segment of the U.S population. So, Daddy Yankee's endorsement might influence some young Latino voters. Anyhow, who would have thought that Daddy Yankee was such a huge fan of McCain? I'd say McCain needs to start listening to a bit more of reggaeton though. Hearing him say "gasolina" made me cringe just a bit.

(Video Source: www.necn.com)

Hillary's Victory

I've been away from Puerto Rico for two weeks, and came back just in time for the Democratic primary election frenzy. At this moment, according to the latest projections, Hillary is said to have captured over 60% of the votes. This is not a surprise, as Puerto Ricans love the Clintons. However, it remains to be seen what the voter participation rate is, but I have a gut feeling it won't be too high. Most Boricuas just don't see the point of voting in the primaries, since they can't even vote in the presidential elections come November.

In the past, Puerto Rico has never played a crucial role in deciding who the presidential candidate should be for either political party. With this year's election, everything has changed. Suddenly, the candidates actually have to fly down here! So, what has been Puerto Rico's reaction? Unfortunately, I just don't feel the excitment or an abundance of energy here. Having just come back from Europe, where I was asked on several occasions about the election, there seems to be more interest amongst Europeans than Puerto Ricans when it comes to this year's U.S presidential elections.

The fight for the Democratic nomination is near its end. Obama is so close to winning it. Hillary's victory in Puerto Rico is interesting though. Perhaps, it does show how most Latinos do support her. Personally, I can't wait for this whole Hillary vs. Obama duel to be over with. Isn't it time for us to say 'enough is enough'?

(Photo Credit: Ramón Tonito Zayas/El Nuevo Día)

Bill is Cometh

It boggles my mind why Puerto Rico is part of the battle field in the Democratic presidential nomination process, since residents in the "Island of Enchantment" are not allowed to vote for the President of the U.S. In fact, Puerto Rico has 67 delegates up for grabs, and we'll find out whether the majority of them belong to Obama or to Hillary on June 1st. Isn't it bizarre how Puerto Ricans can help select the Democratic presidential candidate but can't vote in the general U.S presidential elections?

Well, as we all know, the race between the two Democratic candidate hopefuls has been neck in neck and every delegate counts. Both Obama and Hillary are sending their spouses here. So, Bill will be visiting this weekend to help gather up support, momentum, and (of course) money! He's scheduled to appear in several events, one of which is hosted by the Puerto Rico's Manufacturer's Assocation. Michelle Obama is said to be coming sometime in May. Stay tuned, the battle continues.

(Photo Credit: Charlie Riedel/AP)

Wearing your Political Colors on your Sleeve

(Source: www.endi.com)

The primary elections were held this past Sunday, and it was certainly quite an interesting experience. Apparently, in the past, many Puerto Ricans have shown up drunk at voting booths. So, lawmakers decided to pass a law prohibiting the sale of alcohol on both primary and election days. Hmm... Can't people just stock-up on booze the day before? Wouldn't it be more effective for election officials to turn away people who are obviously under the influence of alcohol, or some other illegal substance? Just a thought...

Anyway, Puerto Ricans do take politics very seriously. Everyone gets a day off on Election Day, which also falls on Nov. 14th. Like the U.S, there are just two major political parties here. If you're pro-U.S, you're on the Partido Nuevo Progresista (PNP) camp. The other is the Partido Popular Democrata, which is the party of the current governor, Anibal Acevedo Vila. As he has done a miserable job, most do not believe he'll be re-elected. After this Sunday's results, Luis Fortuño (pictured above, on the right) officially became the PNP's candidate for governor. Most people here are actually very open and direct, in terms of telling you about their political position. Politics is simply not a taboo topic, people will not hesitate in telling you who they voted for. Now this, I certainly find to be quite a difference from the American culture.

Voting in Absentia

I excitedly rushed to the mailbox across the street this morning in order to make the 9:30AM pickup. The primary election in New York is on Super Tuesday, February 5th, and I definitely wanted to play my part as a responsible citizen. Luckily, I am still considered to be a New York resident and I can vote in the primary elections, as well as the presidential elections in November. On the other hand, Puerto Rico does not possess the right to vote for the U.S president. This is quite an irony, as those who are born in the Island of Enchantment are automatically U.S citizens.

Since I am eligible to vote in the U.S elections, I wanted to take full advantage of my rights. The last time I sent an absentee ballot was when I was away for college, and it also marked the first time I was able to vote. I consider it to be a privilege to be able to take part in the electoral process. Unfortunately, I know too many people who have lost faith, or can care less about politics, and simply don't vote. Such people don't believe their vote will result in any change. Voter participation has always been low in the U.S, and I think this is a tragedy. Now more than ever, we need to do our part and fulfill our duties. Given the current economic challenges facing the U.S, the war in Iraq, and the disastrous outcome of the Bush administration (in general), I think there should be a financial penalty given to those who are eligible to vote but choose not to.

(Please note: the image above was obtained from www.wvvotes.com)