15 minute read
should biden oPt out?
Kenneth Davison McClintock
22nd Secretary of State of Puerto Rico Biden at the crossroads The Right to Life
While President Joe Biden’s approval ratings are at historic lows, he has accumulated at least 14 major recent domestic and foreign policy accomplishments. “The Right to Life” is a phrase used in the national discourse only in the context of the beginning of life when discussing women’s right to choose or the Among these: end of life and euthanasia. However, at least once • The Inflation Reduction Act, which hits climate change while reducing the deficit • The Bipartisan CHIPS Act, which improves our competitiveness versus China a person is born, he or she has an enduring right of survival throughout life. In designing several important federal programs since as far back as the nineteenth century, the Federal government has sought to help Americans prolong their lives. • The Bipartisan PACT Act, which dramatically During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln expands services to veterans saw the need to create a system, now known as • The Bipartisan Gun Act, the most important the Department of Veteran Affairs, to provide gun law in decades those who fought in America’s wars with medical • The elimination of Al Qaeda’s leader with no civilian collateral damage • The plummeting of gas prices • Huge job creation numbers services that would help them live and receive medical services. Few nations provide those who have served the level of health services as America. During the Depression, as part of the New Deal, the federal government saw the need to • Low unemployment numbers help Americans who could not afford basic health • Bipartisan confirmation of Associate Justice services, and began to provide some assistance. Ketanji Brown JacksonIn the 1960s, President Lyndon Johnson • Leading multinational support for Ukraine • Admission of Sweden and Finland in NATO • Approval of American Rescue Plan • Bipartisan Infrastructure Law spearheaded efforts to create Medicare for the elderly and the disabled and Medicaid for the medically indigent. Unfortunately, federally subsidized medical assistance has not been made available to all • Senate Negotiation of Electoral Count Act Americans in a non-discriminatory fashion. updateAs for veterans, VA facilities are doled out, not
He must now decide another big issue, how will strictly on the basis of need, but as a result of he fulfill his commitment to reduce student loan patronage or political influence. Partisan politics debt –which affects 40 million Americans– ranging from a $10,000 reduction to the total elimination of the $1.75 trillion debt. Whatever he decides, it will be a win-win situation months before the midterm and seniority in Congress is factored in when it is determined where a new VA hospital or clinic will be located. In that case, a state-like jurisdiction that should have two voting senators and two voting representatives but doesn’t, ends up getting the elections. short end of the stick.
Biden’s enormously successful record, including Regarding Medicare, that same state-like multiple bipartisan achievements, unfortunately jurisdiction lacking voting representation in the has not had a positive effect on his political polling stats. Months after these accomplishments began accumulating, the support for his re-nomination and reelection has shrunk. Some Democratic national legislature as well as in the Electoral College that elects that jurisdiction’s president and vice president, Congress has built in mechanisms to extend Medicare services almost equally, but almost. When I turned 65 last month, I qualified leaders have begun timidly voicing the idea that he for the Medicare coverage that I’d been paying should consider not running for reelection. Names premiums for 47 years. However, if I didn’t ask of potential successors, beyond the obvious particularly for “Part B”, one of the most important Kamala Harris and Pete Buttigieg, the former benefits, I wouldn’t get it. Anywhere else in the competitors in Biden’s cabinet, have not yet begun surfacing. However, if President Biden were to contemplate that possibility, it would be to his nation I would get that benefit automatically. That discriminatory rule---“opt in” if in Puerto Rico, “opt out” if anywhere else--- was devised for Medicare to be less expensive for the federal government in Puerto Rico, only in Puerto Rico. advantage as President, and to his congressional Concerning Medicaid, the program to provide allies’ benefit, that he consider it now and not later in his term. Lyndon B. Johnson, as Biden, accumulated major accomplishments, many of them on the legislative front reflective of the enormous congressional experience they both brought to the White House. When he withdrew from the presidential race in
services to all the medically indigent throughout America, the cost in Puerto Rico is statutorily capped at less than $400 million and the federal share is limited to 55% of the total cost, requiring America’s poorest jurisdiction to cover 45% of the cost. In a state with demographics similar to the nation’s most populated territory, the total cost to
the federal treasury would be over $4 billion, and the federal share would be 83%. While those benefits are automatic in a state, Puerto Rico’s non-voting representative Jenniffer As Congress struggles to legislate and keep America González, Governor Pedro Pierluisi, and their predecessors for generations, have to devote a lot of time and lobbying efforts to plead with fiscally stable past Friday, Congress and every President from LBJ on to seek the equality that would guarantee residents of February 18, Puerto Ricans on Puerto Rico the “right to life” that is automatic on the mainland as well as their the mainland. There are many reasons why an absolute representatives in Congress should make sure in the next majority of Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico want statehood. According to multiple polls, over 75% of Puerto Ricans in Florida, over 60% of Puerto few days to include language Ricans in New York and probably an absolute majority of the two thirds of America’s Puerto that will protect the Right to Ricans who have chosen to live in the states Life in Puerto Rico, providing and not in discriminated Puerto Rico, also want statehood for the territory. However, because of equal benefits under Medicare and Medicaid to its citizens in the discrimination in extending federally financed health services to the island, it is also a life or death issue, a denial of the Right to Life. As Congress struggles to legislate and keep America fiscally stable past Friday, February 18, our territory.March of 1968, triggered by weak primary results
Puerto Ricans on the mainland as well as their in New Hampshire, it was too late to benefit him or the Democratic Party. representatives in Congress should make sure in the next few days to include language that will Should President Biden, however, decide to protect the Right to Life in Puerto Rico, providing equal benefits under Medicare and Medicaid to its citizens in our territory. That should be our urgent agenda for the next week, seeking the full extension of The Right to Life in Puerto Rico walk away from a reelection bid before November of this year, the midterms would no longer be a referendum on him and become a debate between his record and Republicans’ promises. through equality and statehood.Under that scenario, the probability that the Democrats would grow their 50 seat-plus-oneVP tenuous majority in the Senate would grow and the possibility of keeping the House majority would begin to emerge. In other words, should he decide before the midterms not to run again, the benefits of having a Democratic majority for the next two years, and be able to govern better could become a reality. Analysts are frequently suggesting that the reason his numbers are not improving, despite
Should President Biden, an increasingly positive record, boils down to one thing: his age. Obviously, there is concern over however, decide to walk away his physical and mental health while holding the from a reelection bid before toughest and most stressful job in the world during the age span of 82 to 86 years of age. Over the
November of this year, the midterms would no longer past 60 years, the health of three older presidents triggered concerns. President Eisenhower was 70 when he left office in 1961 and the subject be a referendum on him and of major concerns regarding his health and that of his heart. LBJ, while only 60 when he left the become a debate between presidency in 1969, had a history of heart ailments. his record and Republicans’ In Ronald Reagan’s case, he was 77 when he left the presidency in 1989 and, while his heart was healthy, promises. it is now suspected that he already had early Alzheimer’s disease symptoms towards the end of his presidency. In 2029, when his potential second term would end, Joe Biden would be 26 years older than LBJ, 16 years older than Ike and 12 years older than Trump, on their respective last day in office. Leaving office midterm, whether by illness as FDR in 1945, assassination as JFK in 1963, or resignation as Nixon in 1974, is a traumatic event for the nation. As he continues accumulating positive achievements during his presidency, Joe Biden should take a good hard look at whether he should run or not run again, and if he decides not to run, whether he should announce it soon and hope for a Democratic Senate and, if possible House, or keep quiet and feed the rumors, the doubts and the fears that could “lame-duck” him as much as a withdrawal from a reelection bid.
John R. DiJulius
speaker at the Puerto Rico chapter of the Society for Human Resources Management’s Annual Conference
6 Key Drivers to Become a Brand Customers Can’t Live Without
We all have a company or two that we can’t fathom life without. What are the few companies that you would be extremely upset if I told you, “You can no longer do business with them, ever again”? When I ask my audiences this question, the same brands always get mentioned: Apple, Starbucks, Nordstrom, & Amazon besides local mom and pop shops.
Now the important part is, think about what they have done and what they consistently do to make you so loyal, to make you feel that you cannot live without them. That is power. That is brand loyalty. The more people you can make feel like they cannot live without your brand, the closer you are to making price irrelevant. The key deciding factors to being a brand people cannot live without are:
1. Great service/product
This is a given. It is the price of admission that your product or service better be damn good. However, this is typically not even listed in the top three reasons why people love a brand. A company is in trouble if they are relying on their product or service to differentiate them in their market. Today, every product or service is eventually commoditized.
2. Consistency
This is huge and cannot be over emphasized. More than anything else, customers want brands to be brilliant at the basics. Forget the bells and whistles; just be consistent, reliable, accurate, and friendly in every interaction. Don’t make it dependent on which location or which employee your customer deals with.
3. Ease of doing business
Think about Amazon, Zappos, Nordstrom, and Uber. Amazon is the easiest and most convenient company for purchasing, from one-click, to returns, to their customer support. Companies like Zappos and Nordstrom do not have return policies. Bring it back in a year; you don’t need your receipt. Does your company have policies and rules to make your life more convenient? How easy is it to speak to a human being? How easy is it to find a phone number on your website? Is the buying experience for your customers convenient for you or your company?
4. Employee evangelist
Great brands have employee evangelists of two things: 1) what they do and 2) the brand they do it for. When you shop at world-class brand, you see a strong similarity; their employees love the product, love helping and discussing the benefits of different types of tea, and they love working for Teavana.
5. Educate versus sell
The best brands teach their employees to educate customers versus sell to them. I love technology and the moment something new is released I have to have it (worst thing a consumer can do). One time, when Apple released a new Ipad, I ran into the Apple store to upgrade. When the Apple employee asked me what I wanted, I said, “I currently have the Ipad but I want the Ipad 2.” He could not have had an easier sale. However, he asked me what I used my Ipad for. I said, “For email, surfing the Internet, social media, and I read articles and books on it.” He said, “Do you play games or watch movies?” I replied, “No, never.” He said, “Don’t get it. It won’t be worth it. The big difference between the Ipad and Ipad 2 is the resolution that you would only appreciate if you played games or watched movies.” I couldn’t believe he talked me out of spending $500. I was actually bummed! I said, “Well maybe I will start playing games.” No seriously, I would have bought anything in the store from this employee after that. He wasn’t about selling me, he was about educating me and making sure I spent my money wisely.
6. Personalized experiences
Every regular customer at Starbucks has “their order.” It is unique from anyone else’s. It usually is something long and complicated like a “grande, single shot, 4 pumps sugar free peppermint, nonfat, extra hot, no foam, light whip, stirred white mocha.” Did you know there are over 80,000 ways you can order your Starbucks drink? What is easier than that?
Víctor Rodríguez
Public Affairs Specialist (Puerto Rico and the USVI), Social Security Administration
The history of Social Security in Puerto Rico
This week, Social Security commemorates its 87th anniversary in the United States. Although it has rained a lot since, almost all of us -or our children, parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents- could share an experience or anecdote where Social Security has played an important role. So, kick back and enjoy this celebration –like you would any birthday party–savoring some “sandwichitos de mezcla,” fruit juice, cake and ice cream. And don’t forget to polish your history with a few fun facts about the first steps of Social Security in our Puerto Rican archipelago. We also recommend you to keep this historical document.
On August 14, 1935, at 3:30pm, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act. As early as 1943, newspapers reported lobbying in Washington D.C. to extend this program to Puerto Rico. Finally, on August 28, 1950, then U.S. President Harry S. Truman signed into law the extension of Social Security to workers in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The next day, El Mundo newspaper published: “The President signs the Insurance Law”. The sub-headline read: “The Island would benefit in January.” “For the first time, United States citizens in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands will be covered under the insurance and public assistance programs… The approval of this legislation is a remarkable achievement,” Truman said.
This federal law required the Legislature of Puerto Rico to approve a concurrent resolution agreeing to join the Social Security program at least 90 days before the law went into effect on January 1st, 1951. The resolution passed on September 22, 1950. In a press conference, then Governor Luis Muñoz Marín characterized the extension of Social
In fact, Security to the island as “one of the most important Today, the steps taken in favor SSA disburses $714 of social justice in million monthly Puerto Rico.” On to about 850,000 his part, Resident beneficiaries in Commissioner Puerto Rico Antonio FernósIsern said the implementation of the Social Security Act “is the most outstanding event in the history of this country in favor of its inhabitants”. Both leaders urged employers, employees and selfemployed workers to collaborate in the process of assigning social security numbers.
Shortly after, H. C. Schuette, the first director of Social Security for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, announced they would begin assigning social security numbers on December 18, 1950. Schuette presented the first two social security cards during an official ceremony at the office of the Social Security, then located on the fourth floor of the Banco Popular at Ponce de León Ave. in Santurce. El Mundo reported that “the first person registered was Mr. Mariano Villanueva, an employee of ‘El Imparcial’ newspaper. Villanueva had been working for ten years, and was in charge of the newspaper’s janitors. He was 56 years old, had a wife and two grown children.” He was an Utuado native and then living at 260 San Sebastián Street, in Old San Juan. The last four digits of his Social Security number were: 0001”.
In just two weeks, Social Security numbers were assigned to some 400,000 workers in Puerto Rico, who began contributing to it on January 1st, 1951. The first person who applied for Social Security retirement benefits in Puerto Rico was Luis Cruz, who had been insured since he worked as a merchant marine in the U.S. On February 27, 1951, El Mundo published a photo of Mr. Schuette handing over a check to Mr. Cruz, along with claim’s examiner, Pedro Jiménez. The headline read: “Social Security Pays Its First Check.” Cruz received a first check of $100 and received a pension of $20 a month.
[This is] one of the most important steps taken in favor of social justice in Puerto Rico.
Luis Muñoz Marín, former governor of Puerto Rico
On Monday, January 8, 1951, Mr. Schuette began publishing a weekly column in El Mundo. At the end of it, he would hint what his next theme would be; ‘And next week, do you have a maid in your house?’
The Social Security Administration’s (SSA) first service office in Puerto Rico was established in Arecibo, and the agency currently operates 14 offices throughout the island. Today, the SSA disburses $714 million monthly to about 850,000 beneficiaries of different ages and socioeconomic backgrounds in Puerto Rico, contributing to individual or family stories where this program plays an important role.
For information regarding your Social Security account, you can go to www.socialsecurity.gov, call 1-800-772-1213, or visit your local Social Security office (www.ssa.gov/ locator/).
