I have not written much regarding Puerto Rico. I have family and friends there and we are very concerned about their well-being. Though my daughter-in-law lives here in Michigan, she has built a house in Puerto Rico and her mother and most of her relatives live there. The good news is that friends and family are unharmed and are doing as well as can be expected. Some relief supplies arrived by helicopter the other day. The bad news is that there is no power, there is no running water and some the roads continue to be washed out. Winter is the rainy season down there.
Despite the adversity of the situation, the people there are resilient. They are attempting to cope and they have no desire to leave. I believe that this probably reflects the viewpoints of most of those in Puerto Rico.
Which brings me to the point of this diary. Despite their determination to stay. I fear that there may be a major diaspora. This is not good news. These folks are going to be uprooted and forced to move from their homes. Some have family in the states, but many do not.
I am somewhat disappointed in many on this site anticipating, almost eagerly it seems in some instances, that this great migration will improve the chances of Democratic electoral success. Too many of these comments seem to me to be tone deaf and insensitive.
To be blunt, I don’t care what the idiot in the White House thinks about Puerto Rico. And right now I don’t really care if PR refugees increase the likelihood of a state voting Democratic. If a million people, or a half million, are forced to move, that is not good, regardless of the resulting political impact.
I believe it is inappropriate to be focused on the electoral possibilities when so many are suffering, so many are worried and stressed about their future, and so many may find themselves unwillingly becoming a part of a huge migration.
There will be time to consider voter drives for the new arrivals if it comes to that. Now is not that time.
Thanks.