As an American citizen born and raised in Puerto Rico who served our country in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Army Reserve over a period of 40 years, and as one who attained a position of great responsibility in the U.S. Southern Command prior to retirement, I strongly disapprove of the comments by Linda Chavez (Op-Ed, Feb. 25).
Ms. Chavez purports to review the history of Puerto Rico but fails to mention the many Puerto Ricans who enlisted, fought and died over the last 100 years to preserve the American ideal of democracy. She states that “Puerto Ricans don’t consider themselves Americans.”
I know she is not referring to the 193,000 patriotic Puerto Rican Americans who have served America with distinction while fighting for the principles of democracy and self-determination throughout the 20th Century–or the 1,000-plus who gave their lives in defense of our country. They were no less American because they were Puerto Rican, nor were they less Puerto Rican because they were American. Many were volunteers, and many never had the opportunity to vote for their commander in chief.
In her essay, Ms. Chavez cautions Congress against being “locked into a transition plan, making the island a state in 10 years.” Yet she ignores the mechanics of the self-determination legislation pending in Congress, which do not bind Congress or Puerto Rico to the results of the plebiscite. Rather, the legislation requires a series of consequent majority votes, both in Congress and in Puerto Rico, over 10 years, to approve any transition to a permanent political status.
What is important is that the American citizens from Puerto Rico be given the right to self-determination and be allowed to vote on their political future. Many Puerto Ricans have paid the price for democracy. We deserve an opportunity to enjoy the benefits of democracy and exercise our right to self-determination. Denying that opportunity would be a tragedy.
