As we wake up to the anniversary of the Puerto Rico constitution and celebrate yet another national holiday, I can’t help wonder what the events of last week foretell of the future of Puerto Rico. For me it was difficult to see a society regress so rapidly without wondering about the motivations and causes for everyone’s behavior.

As a quick detour, I would like to acknowledge the writings of Malcolm Gladwell from his best seller “The Tipping Point.” In my opinion, last week in Puerto Rico we witnessed a small example of what he meant in this book. It’s funny how a couple of quotes in the daily news sent the country into chaos. Essentially, what I believe we witnessed was exactly what Gladwell claims: “How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference.”

Without question, living in Puerto Rico in 2005 has been difficult. The latest truckers strike was the last little push everyone needed to completely loose common sense. I would agree with my friend Gil Schmidt and his analysis of these events, but I can’t resist digging deeper into this mess. Hey, I’m an highly analytical person, I can’t help myself. Let’s start with something simple. First, do you know why strikes are like terrorism? Each involves a threat of force or consequence if demands are not met. Which basically means it is a lose lose scenario. To start with it typically starts with a person or group of people with a complaint or some type of sufferage. Then to end each of them requires some one to give in, or the suffering continues. Finally in either case, once a party “gives-in” it completely eliminates any ability to not give in later. Once you meet the demands of strikers, then just like terrorists, every future striker knows that if the situation becomes unbearable, demands will be met. There can be only one position for a highly developed society to take in each of these scenarios, zero tolerance. It is extremely harsh and I hope I never find myself on either side of this lose-lose situation.

In many different situations, sometimes your very first response to something can be the most accurate. Later with more conflicting information and personal opinions, things become muddled and our responses become less appropriate or correct. My first thoughts after witnessing the chaos surrounding the mass hysteria were of entitlements. According to my aging copy of a popular CD-ROM reference, entitlement means to furnish with a right or claim to something: such as “Every citizen is entitled to equal protection under the law.
Simply I believe that most people rushed to join the growing line of cars because they felt entitled to their fair share of gasoline. If supplies were going to run dry, then “Por Dios” I’m going to get mine first. Once again I agree with Gil, we still live in the illusion of fairness. What is my fair share of gasoline if I already have enough gasoline for at least a week? After the strike was resolved and the gasoline started to flow, why else did people line-up AGAIN if not out of a sense of entitlement? Well I missed out in the first mad rush to suck the pumps dry, “Por Dios” I’m not going to miss my share now. As a society we need to eliminate our dependence on entitlements. There are only a few rights that we are entitled. Nearly everything else we have allowed our false sense of comfort to expand these entitlements. Now this ever-expanding sphere of entitlements have begun to jeopardize our mutual ability to fulfill the basic needs of our developed society.

I have been telling everyone that we are about three major strikes away from complete collapse of Puerto Rico’s economy. I believe that last week proved my point. I know that I’m not an economist, so my opinion is worth squat. However, as a citizen of Puerto Rico I’m entitled to my views. I think one thing to consider first is cycles. I believe that the massive over-population in Puerto Rico requires adjusting. I believe that we have reached saturation. Our little island can not handle the pressures currently being applied. I believe a mass migration is necessary to establish a more sustainable balance. This finally leads me to the opposite of entitlements, sacrifice. I believe that we are very near to this major adjustment. When it occurs, it will breath new life into Puerto Rico. What is not clear to me is who will be around to get the economy rolling again. As Ross Perot used to say, when the adjustment comes, you will be able to hear a huge sucking sound from all of the human capital leaving Puerto Rico. However, with great change comes great opportunity. So here is the big question: “What sacrifices do we need to make now, or when this adjustment occurs, in order to rebuild the economy based on a globalized and entrepreneurial view of the world?” Sacrifice is defined as the forfeiture of something highly valued for the sake of one considered to have a greater value or claim.
It is clear to me as I write this, that the time to establish what is the greater value or claim is right now. We have seen how well we as a nation is prepared to face potential sacrifice and it isn’t (wasn’t) pretty. I wonder, do people actually plan for the type of adjustment I’m predicting? Is there an office somewhere in our incompetent government with a plan? I’m sure of the answer and it makes me want to wet my pants right now. And if not the government, then who else might have a plan. Now that I think of it, we don’t even have a plan to improve the economy even during these days of wine and roses. That is probably even more scary.

Definitions excerpted from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition Copyright © 1992 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Electronic version licensed from Lernout & Hauspie Speech Products N.V., further reproduction and distribution restricted in accordance with the Copyright Law of the United States. All rights reserved.