It is obvious that Puerto Rico needs additional relief. It was apparent even before the natural disasters they have suffered this year. Their crisis is ours. I will continue to do everything in my power to deliver justice and aid to our fellow Americans.
The economic, ecological, and humanitarian crises that US citizens of Puerto Rico are dealing with after Irma and Maria cannot be taken without consideration for the Recession, unequal treatment by Washington, and the debt that has been weaponized to wipe out social services.
Puerto Rico has imposed austerity for years at the behest of Wall Street vulture funds. Child poverty rose to ~60%, infrastructure failed, 100+ schools & hospitals closed, foreclosures rose 90% after 2008, median income hovered at $19,000 (compared to the $51K national average).
This is unacceptable, and quite frankly would not be happening if American citizens in Puerto Rico were treated the same as those living in states. The blame for this falls squarely on Washington and Wall Street hedge funds and creditors, not the Puerto Rican people.
The private prison industry is immoral, only concerned with their shareholders' profits at the expense of human life. No industry runs more contrary to our nation's founding ideal of liberty and justice for all. We need criminal justice reform NOW.
Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou! Wishing you and your ʻohana the very best in these final days of 2017 and in the New Year. While we face many challenges, I know we can overcome them when we come together in the spirit of aloha. May we find strength, courage and inspiration in ALOHA!
We must pass the #OffFossilFuels Act and invest in the clean energy economy of the future. The sooner we transition, the more money we will save, the more jobs we will create, and the better we can prepare for the climate disruptions that are devastating so many communities.
.@JeffDSachs is absolutely right. The pharmaceutical industry and corporations undermining food safety play a major hand in fueling the opioid and obesity crises. They must be held accountable.
In Hawaiʻi alone, 25,780 of our keiki receive their health insurance through #CHIP. https://www.votetulsi.com/node/33086
Water is life. We cannot take it for granted. Failing infrastructure, oil pipelines, and polluters that dump toxic chemicals threaten our rivers, lakes, aquifers, and oceans. This precious resource must be protected.