La Isla del Encanto y Quisqueya La Bella

I admire how the Dominican Republic remains sovereign while Puerto Rico remains co-dependent on the United States. This ailes me greatly and hurts my soul. To me it seems that Puerto Rico is slowly but surely losing its beautiful culture that has sustained them for centuries. I believe that Puerto Ricans will become extinct if they continue to have dealings with the U. S. The Dominican Republic, however, remains Dominican, and has nothing to do with the U. S. If only Puerto Rico could do this. I am half Puerto Rican and live in the tri-state area (NY/NJ, etc.), and what I see is that a lot of Puerto Ricans are selling out to be American, while the Dominicans that are here are so proud of their origin, maintain their Spanish tongue and pride. It is a shame when I speak Spanish to a Puerto Rican for them to say, please, we are in America, speak English. Can anyone feel me on this? Or is it just me? I would have liked to elaborated more but my eyes hurt from looking at this harsh screen.
Paz y Amor, Mar?a

It's not just you,personally i belive the only reason that the U.S. maintains Puerto Rico is for it's militarily strategic location,lets face it what else does Puerto Rico have to offer other than tourisim. It's certainly not a self supporting island,they are totally dependant on imports.
I say give them their independence and in less than six months
they will be begging for help.

Perhaps then it is inevitable that the Puerto Rican culture is going to become extinct. Puerto Rico continues to be infiltrated with the American Culture and ways, and more and more English is being spoken on the island. There has got to be another way. Would you say that Puerto Rico is stuck between a rock and a hard place? What a dilemma.

I fail to understand, if the Dominican Republic survives on its own, then why can't Puerto Rico. I believe that it can be done if we are weaned off of U. S. dependency.

It's quite simple,Puerto Rico really doesn't have anything in enough quantity to export in order to sustain the population.
Whereas the D.R. has numerous exports: tobacco / numerous fruits and vegetables / rice / beef / beer / rum / seafood,just to mention a few. And of course being the best island in the caribbean for tourisim (thats my opinion of course).

Maria,

It may help to look at Dominican and Puerto Rican immigration historically. After WWII there was a huge wave of PR immigration and the DR immigration really didn't pick up until the late 70's and 80's. Most Puerto Rican families have been on the mainland a generation and many 2 generations longer than most Domincians. Most people came to the inner cities when they came from the island and more Puerto Rican families have moved to the suburbs and are not constantly surrounded by their culture. I see many of the same things happening to Dominican families as they move up the social ladder and leave the neighborhood. If the family does not go out of their way to maintain the culture, the kids will lose it by the 2nd US born generation. It happened to my Irish heritage the same way.

I would like to warn you in thinking the DR is the haven you speak about. It is a wonderful place for tourists and those with a secure life. There are a huge number of Domincans living in Puerto Rico in order to improve their standard of living and many go their while they risk their life. The DR is a place where Puerto Ricans vacation and remember what it used to be like in the old days. They have given up a great deal but seem to prefer the high standard of living. If you asked the average working class (poor) Dominican if they would pack up and move their family to NY if they were given the opportunity, a big majority would say yes. I also ask many US born Dominicans if they would ever live in the DR and the vast majority would not.
I am more familiar with the non-tourist areas of the DR and have lived with the Dominican comminity in the NYC area for the last 11 years. I agree with your concerns but am just sharing my understanding of why things are the way they are.

Response toTony

The DR's major exports are tabacco, gold, bauxite (aluminum), coffe, cacao and sugar not in any particular order. The other major forms of receiving hard currency are from the free zones and from Dominicans living abroad. There has been some land converted from sugar cane to oranges and pineapples that is primarily for export and may have jumped up these numbers in the last few years. I think most of the fruit and vegetable agriculture in the country is for local consumption. The DR has even had to buy rice and sugar from outside the country to meet local demand.

I would like to also add that the DR is not totally independent from the US. It may appear that way, but the US has imposed their will many times throughout history. It has been argued that Balaguer handed over power to Anontio Guzman in 1978 because of Jimmy Carter's pressure and they were involved in Balaguer agreeing to a 2 year term in 94 which eventually lead to Leonel being elected in 96. Not to mention the two invasions in the 20th century. I have read much about increased US military presense in the DR including along the Haitian border.

You will also find that the influence of the US culture in the DR has been growing steadly as immigration to the US increased. The number of Dominicans traveling and moving back and forth is incrediable. Take a flight from NYC to Santo Domingo and you won't see the typical tourist on the plane. Many Dominicans do business in both countries. I understand and sympathize with all the negatives about losing out to a dominant culture, but some of what is brought back is positive.

Re: Thank you Tom and Tony

THANK YOU TOM AND TONY FOR YOUR RESPONSES. THEY WERE VERY INFORMATIVE. HOWEVER TOM, I FEEL SOMEWHAT SUFFOCATED LIVING IN THE STATES AS THE CULTURE HERE IN THE STATES IS MONEY AND BUSINESS, AND NOTHING ELSE. I KNOW THAT THE SITUTATION IN D. R. IS POOR FOR A PORTION OF THE COUNTRY, BUT I DO ALSO KNOW THAT THERE IS A LARGE POPULATION IN D. R. THAT IS VERY CONTENT LIVING THERE AND THAT THE DOMINICANS THAT ARE HERE (IN THE U.S.) NOW DO NOT LIKE IT HERE AND WISH TO RETURN, THAT IS OF COURSE AFTER THEY COLLECT THE MONEY THEY NEED (THE REASON THEY CAME HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE) TO LIVE COMFORTABLY IN D.R.

WE, AS AMERICANS ARE EMPTY, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT WE ARE WORKAHOLICS. MONEY IS THE NUMBER 1 PRIORITY, EVEN BEFORE FRIENDS AND FAMILIES. WE CAN'T EVEN TAKE A MINUTE TO SIT DOWN AND REFLECT. PERSONALLY, I WOULD RATHER LIVE OFF OF THE LAND THEN CONTINUE TO LIVE LIKE THIS. I FEEL THAT THE U. S. EXISTENCE IS AN EMPTY ONE. WHILE DOMINICANS LIVE A RICH HAPPY LIFE, AMERICANS LIVE, EAT AND BREATHE MONEY AND THEN WE DIE.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR KIND OPINIONS AND RESPONSES.

SINCERELY,
MARIA

Re: Response toTony

I know they are not totally independent from the U.S.all I'm saying is that the D.R.certainly has a lot more to offer than
P.R.
I'm don't know what part of the U.S.you live but I can tell you
in Miami which is where I live,you can find in almost any grocery store imported processed fruit,more so than vegetables
as my wife and I do purchase on a regular basis. As far as the sugar they do export sugar I'm not sure how much but my line of work is in shipping and I do see palletized sugar and coffee being off loaded at Miami periodically,more so coffee.
As far as the U.S.military presence,in my opinion,the Dominicans would be wise to keep the U.S.military out,the less dependent they become on the U.S.Government the better off they will be.
You know as well as I do that if the need arises in the future for any type of military assistance,Uncle Sam would be more than willing to get involved. We seem to have this insatiable desire to flex our might whenever possible.
And yes we do have a rather large Domincan population here in Miami and I have witnessed the travel to and from the island and I agree with you the positive influence is tremendous,I myself have been traveling to the D.R. for 27 years and have seen many changes and so far I must say for the better.
I hope to retire in the D.R. in the next ten years,thats if he U.S.doesn't ruin it for me and the other Americans.

Re: Response toTony

I enjoyed reading your responses Maria and Tony. I am sure if we sat down together, we would agree on these topics more than we disagree. There are a large number of people who move back to the DR and many more who dream about doing this one day. I also know a large number of Dominicans who prefer living in the US and say they only enjoy going back for visits. Women are able to earn a living in the US and the male dominate society in the DR does hold them down much more than in the US. This is my wife's argument against moving back. For the families who can afford an average home, vehicle(s), domestic help, back-up electricity, water storage, private education and health care, among other things; the DR is a great place.

Tony, you obviously know more about the shipping industry than I do. I get my information from reading the Dominican newspapers about exports. I also know hundreds of Dominican farmers and the only export crops they grow are coffee and cacao. This is an area I would like to learn more about. I appreciate your response.

Re: a little defense for the U.S.

Hi there Maria,

I have been reflecting on your post and while your opinions are just as valid as anyone else's, I would just add a couple of my own observations about this country.

Generally speaking, I would tend to agree that the US is a rushed , rat race, society where most people don't sit back to enjoy the simply things in life. It is funny (and somewhat sad) that there has to be a magazine that essentially teaches people how to be more "simple"...the name of the magazine is Real Simple, by the way. For some reason, the image of the "me" decade, the 80's, still has an incredible appeal to many..."greed is good", still is a treasured line; courtesy of Michael Douglas.

However, I just don't really think the American existence is an empty one. I really don't think that there is much difference between American society and any other society in the western world, and I find that people in the suburbs pretty much act the same way everywhere in the world. From my own experience, the Americans that I know are folks that are just trying to live a good life, provide their kids with a good education, save for retirement, and have some fun in the process. Most Americans that I know are pretty giving as well. It also depends where you live. I spent several years in Pittsburgh and can tell you that the way of life there is much different than the one here in the DC Metro area. Pittsburghers, for the most part are just nice, non-flashy, down to earth, what you see is what you get, almost Mid-western kind of folks.

Where you live is a factor that also applies to the DR as well. Don't think for a minute that Dominicans are only "happy" folks that just "live off the land" and don't think about money. Money is very important in some segments of Dominican society and Dominicans can be just as materialistic as anyone else. Money and power drive many Dominicans, specially those in the two major cities - Sto. Dgo. and Santiago. The DR and specially Sto. Dgo., is no paradise where you won't find workaholics, or people that won't put their families second to work. You will find that many Dominicans aren't living a "rich", happy life either. So, with this I am just trying to say that life in the DR isn't that much different from that of the US. I love the DR, but I also like the US as well. It is the only country I would live in other than the DR (and I have been to many )

Regards,
Natasha

Maria, your priorities???

Maria:

While I commend you for wishing for a ?simple? lifestyle, I certainly question your priorities. You claim to yearn for a less materialistic lifestyle, even condemning what you perceive as a ?hurried? atmosphere of the US, yet your website displays the very things you claim to abhor: upscale clothes, trips to Las Vegas, Presidential suites and your SUV?

While I can?t definitive say your priorities are wrong, I simply question your motives and ability to conform to what you claim to dislike.

Tom

Re: Maria, your priorities???

Dear Tom:

Yes, you would be correct in your observation of my website, but you know what they say, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do", ha ha. I cannot justify my website, which is from about 2 years ago. My sister took me on those trips. We all have experiences in life and I experienced a couple trips in my time. You could say that I am being very American in my website.

I certainly believe that it would be difficult for me to conform to living off of the land. But one thing is for sure, I was born and raised in this society and no matter how much I try to deny the way I was raised all of my life, or rather, deny being American, I cannot. This is what I have known all my life, but I do recognize that I would like to change. My motives are good. I am young and ignorant but I am learning and observing my societal surroundings and day by day I notice more and more things about this place that fill me with dread and emptiness. I feel that we do not experience the same joy that other countries experience, like the Dominican Republic. Dont get me wrong, there is a lot of wonderful things about the U. S., but I fear that much is hidden from the general public so as to take advantage of us. I just want to know what is going on, I feel out of control, like I am just a puppet, therefore I question everything. Sorry to get off track. Well, I thank you again for your kind attention.

Sincerely,
Maria

Re: Maria, your priorities???

Maria;

Finish School, move to Appalachia nd you will eperience all the "wonders" of living off the land without having to leave the borders of the US.

Nice things like unpotable water, lack of housing, high unemployment, substandard education: no casinos or glitter there, just abject poverty and despair.

There are plenty of volunteer organizations that will let you return to living off the land and enjoying life in a "third world."

Tom

Re: a little defense for the U.S.

Greetings Natasha!

It is very nice to hear from you. Well, I would disagree with you when you say that life is not much different in the D. R. than it is in the U. S. I believe that Dominicans are incredibly friendlier and willing to help more so than Americans, in their country and in ours. Although there may be workaholics in the D. R. as well, there is a difference, Dominicans would certainly stop to help someone stranded on the road before an American would. I dont know, I just feel that with Americans, if they were faced with the option to grab 1 million dollars, or help save a dying person on the street, they would go for the money. This is the attitude that I see day in day out,in co-workers, etc.

Please excuse me if I sound overbearing. My experience growing up in the U. S. and dealing with Americans thus far has been a cold one. However, in my dealings with Dominicans and other foreigners, it has been wonderful, they are so sincere and kind. I can honestly say that every foreigner that I meet when I ask them if they would agree with me that this place is cold and everyone is out for themselves, they agree instantly. In my opinion, the U. S. severely lacks the beauty, support, respect, and humaneness that people in foreign countries express for each other.

Thank you for your response.

Sincerely,

Maria

Re: a little defense for the U.S.

Maria, as a Canadian married to a Dominican I support your claim that Dominicans are very friendly, they are also very hungry for money. My wife is far more "goal" driven than me. I have traveled extensively throughout the United States for about 25 years along with many places in Europe, Asia and Africa and the middle East and MY impressions are that Big City America is unfriendly, but the rural small town America that I've experience in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and even California was extremely friendly and also generous. I found Europeans more unfriendly especially if you didn't speak their language. Much as 'Big Brother' as many Canadians think of the USA can be overbearing as a country, My general impressions of 'American Society' vise 'Dominican' is that Yes the Dominican Attitude in General is more casual,but the number of violent deaths per capita indicates that under that easy smile is a violent nature. just my obvervation. Simple is not always better.

Bob?s unfriendly Europeans ?

Bob, you say Europeans get nasty especially if you don?t speak their language. Please don?t put all Europeans in the same bucket. You are probably referring the French. They usually don?t get along with anybody and their languageskills are terrible. It?s this hautain-attitude, this superiority-complex that hinders their social skills. The Dutch don?t have problems with nobody. We?re small and don?t care who invades us. They get nasty with us, we break a few dikes and flood the place.

Re: Maria, your priorities???solution

maybe you should take some time off and go to the islands for a year or two.

Re: a little defense for the U.S./bob

"that under that easy smile is a violent nature".very good point and not just your observation.

Re: Maria, your priorities???

Maria,

Why would you deny being American??? I am very proud to be who I am. An American. I am also diverse enough to appreciate another culture without comparing it to my own. Every culture has its good and bad points. Only a person with an open mind can appreciate the good and see the bad points.

Have a nice day!

Joyce