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I think "colonialism" as practiced with the modern British Overseas Territories (Bermuda, Gibraltar, the Falklands, the Caymans, etc) is largely positive for both the UK and the territories themselves. The territories are basically self sufficient but rely on the UK for defense, foreign affairs, specialist police assistance, and other functions normally associated with a national government. They are also self governing over most day to day matters. In the case of Bermuda poll after poll shows well over 75% of Bermudians - Black and White - content with the current arrangement.
In the case of Puerto Rico, the current fiscal crisis is caused largely by out of control spending. It has nothing to do with status. Puerto Rico could be a state or an independent nation and it could be just as indebted as it is as a territory. For the record, I am a huge Puerto Rico statehood supporter. In regards to other US territories such as Guam or the US Virgin Islands I favor a sort of reworked version of territorial status that would be like a statehood-lite than a "colony". These territories are too strategic for us to give up and they lack natural resources and a viable economy to support independence. Furthermore history has shown that very, very few Puerto Ricans or Guamanians would be willing to give up US citizenship, federal funding, Social Security, Medicare, etc.
Again, in regards to Puerto Rico - despite being a conservative - I strongly support allowing US territories to have access to Chapter 9 protections under the Federal Bankruptcy Code. That said, Puerto Rico is also going to have to cut spending and roll back some of the anti-business regulations and absurdly excessive local taxes imposed over the years. I believe the Republican Party is too welded to big business and big money donors and that is disgusting - and it badly hurts the party's image. This whole Puerto Rico fiscal crisis has driven a huge wedge between me and the GOP. I believe that a conservative we should be standing up for ALL Americans and that we should not support vulture funds over Americans ... period. I have actually gained a ton of respect for my state's US Sen. Chuck Schumer. I disagree with him on 99% of issues but on this particular issue he is 100% in the right. Also, from the conservative point of view I am concerned that refusing to help Puerto Rico in a fair manner could play right into the hands of the Democratic Party in next years elections and with the huge Puerto Rican populations in critical swing states like Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania it could end up handing the Democrats the Senate and put Hillary in the White House. Putting Hillary in the White House would be faaaaaaar more expensive than any debt restructuring. Unfortunately my party is stupid and in bed with big money.
This is about a Republican party that is in the pocket of the BIG interests and corporations.
If PR is given the chance to go bankrupt the Vulture Fund folks would lose money. As of now they are making 9% tax free on their investment which is essentially a 12% investment which is HUGE these days. The US congressmen receive donation from these folks and now they must legislate to protect the interest of the Vulture Funds.
Giving PR the right to go bankrupt would cost nothing to American taxpayers. Giving PR a few billion just to pay interest on the debt is a direct transfer of cash from the American taxpayers to the Vulture Funds. Sounds familiar?
Many third world countries have proven that they are incapable of governing themselves properly. Should we consider reintroducing foreign control over those territories given the following conditions:
1) Voters in the countries would have to vote in favor of foreign control.
2) Voters would have a new referendum every 10 years.
3) The election would have international observers provided by the UN.
Sure. As long as we have ownership of their natural resources and don't just adopt a nation of recipients.
Although I am not one of the Europeans-are-the-source-of-all-evil people, I think colonialism as a whole was a failure. No matter how benign the colonial power tries to be (and they didn't always try that hard), power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. People just naturally resent being ruled by others of a different language, color, and culture. It is almost impossible to escape the underlying feeling that the colonial power is superior to the country being ruled, and that provokes resentment.
Although I am not one of the Europeans-are-the-source-of-all-evil people, I think colonialism as a whole was a failure. No matter how benign the colonial power tries to be (and they didn't always try that hard), power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. People just naturally resent being ruled by others of a different language, color, and culture. It is almost impossible to escape the underlying feeling that the colonial power is superior to the country being ruled, and that provokes resentment.
Conquering others and ruling them is something ingrained in HUMANS. The Cromagnon man conquered and destroyed the Neanderthal man and so forth. But, it is not about superiority--------it has to do with humans developing in a land with better resources. IN this regard Asia and Europe had it all.
Giving PR the right to go bankrupt would cost nothing to American taxpayers. Giving PR a few billion just to pay interest on the debt is a direct transfer of cash from the American taxpayers to the Vulture Funds. Sounds familiar?
Actually, PR going bankrupt would cost the American taxpayers A LOT.
Losses due to
1) depressed economic activity - economic losses
2) increased social assistance payments to people in distress
That's why the government assisted GM and Chrysler to restructure themselves in BK. Because GM and Chrysler's bailout, while costly, pales compared to the costs of economic devestation - where their suppliers go bust, and whole communities are distressed.
Many third world countries have proven that they are incapable of governing themselves properly. Should we consider reintroducing foreign control over those territories given the following conditions:
1) Voters in the countries would have to vote in favor of foreign control.
2) Voters would have a new referendum every 10 years.
3) The election would have international observers provided by the UN.
Many of these Third World countries are in the situation that they face because of US Intervention and the influence of the Catholic Church and its stance on Birth Control!
ABSOLUTELY NOT! Sounds like you are praying for the New World Order to move along and take over even more quickly...
Many third world countries have proven that they are incapable of governing themselves properly. Should we consider reintroducing foreign control over those territories given the following conditions:
1) Voters in the countries would have to vote in favor of foreign control.
2) Voters would have a new referendum every 10 years.
3) The election would have international observers provided by the UN.
To your general question -- NO. True, some countries are failures. British imperialism (for example) did not necessarily make countries successful, it just shifted wealth and resources to GB.
1) I think they could do this now. And then the "receiving" country can make a decision about whether or not to accept.
2) The back and forth would cause total disruption.
Gibraltar, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands chose to not go for independence, so did Puerto Rico.
Is there any country on the African continent that is a better place for having gained independence? Some Asian countries are not so good either.
Perhaps based on the past week, GB should resume control of the U.S.?
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