Puerto Rico’s drought and economic crisis

Carraizo Lake Reservoir Puerto Rico (Mtmelendez )

Puerto Rico is experiencing a major drought along with an economic crisis:

August 6, 2015

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO —Puerto Ricans are learning to live without water on an island that already was suffering an economic crisis.

A severe drought is forcing businesses to temporarily close, public schools to cancel breakfast service and people to find creative ways to stay clean amid sweltering temperatures.

Rationing rules that had meant water coming through the pipes only one day out of three will increase the cutoff to one day out of four starting next week, government officials say.

“I’ve grown fearful of the weather report,” said Cornelio Vegazo, owner of a roof-repair company. “There’s no light at the end of the tunnel.”

The drought is one of the worst in the U.S. territory’s history. July was the fourth driest month in the capital of San Juan since 1898, the year Puerto Rico became a possession of the United States. Only 1.60 inches (4 centimeters) of rain fell last month, and forecasters predict several more weeks and possibly months of dry conditions.

Nearly 13 percent of Puerto Rico is in extreme drought and an additional 38 percent is in a severe one, according to the National Drought Mitigation Center, which says 2.5 million people are affected.

The situation has grown so dire that Puerto Rico’s water and sewer company announced Wednesday that it would spend about $200,000 over three months on a pilot project to use “cloud seeding” in hopes of creating rain clouds over three of the island’s main reservoirs.

Reservoirs drying up

If Puerto Rico does not receive significant rainfall this week, tens of thousands of clients who depend on the Carraizo reservoir will get water only every fourth day starting next week, said Alberto Lazaro, executive director of the water and sewer company.

“We are doing everything within our reach to address the situation at the reservoirs,” he said. “We will not stop looking for alternatives to deal with a situation that, without a doubt, is one of the island’s biggest concerns.” …

So far this year, it has rained as much as 12 inches (31 centimeters) less than usual in San Juan and as much as 20 inches (51 centimeters) less in some areas around the Carraizo reservoir, said Carlos Anselmi, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack has declared 20 of the island’s 78 municipalities as disaster zones, with farmers reporting an increase in crops shriveling and cattle dying.

Decade-long economic slump

The drought comes as Puerto Rico struggles in a nearly decade-long economic slump that has hit the government’s coffers and led authorities to raise the sales tax, even on bottled water. Puerto Ricans also are grumbling about having to pay high water rates amid severe rationing measures.

“It’s not fair,” said Hector Linares, a car wash worker. But he is resigned. “You can’t fight Puerto Rico’s bureaucracy.” …

But other Caribbean spots also are struggling with drought, including the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and St. Lucia. It is the region’s worst drought in five years. http://www.voanews.com/content/puerto-rico-face-punishing-drought-amid-economic-slump/2903760.html

Puerto Rico is also in massive debt (see Puerto Rico in default!). And that does not include whatever share of US federal debt that some may feel that Puerto Rico may have any responsibility for. So, while its people are suffering it is increasing taxes and other burdens as the government there feels it has little choice.

Puerto Rico asked for money from Washington, but was denied it:

6 August 2015

On Monday, Puerto Rico defaulted on its debt for the first time in history, repaying only $628,000 of a $58 million portion of the total $73 billion it owes. The White House said on Tuesday that it had no plans to bailout the small island nation, which is an unincorporated US territory. http://sputniknews.com/business/20150806/1025456428.html#ixzz3i2oGbWOA

The fact that the US government turned Puerto Rico down this week is sending a signal to foreign creditors that the USA certainly must think that certain types of default are permissible. Puerto Rico’s problems are one more sign that the USA itself is subject to debt crises.

The world financial situation is not truly tranquil, though it appears that way to many. The USA will likely do something to try to reduce some of the issues associated with Puerto Rico as it may face unrest there otherwise. But its hesitation thus far is not reassuring to creditors.

Notice one ‘solution’ for Puerto Rico’s economy that was offered yesterday:

August 5, 2015

Puerto Rico is in a debt crisis because the government has overspent for years while the island’s economy has shrank. The commonwealth borrowed too much money trying to offset declining government revenue, and bonds were gobbled up by U.S. investors because the interest is often “triple tax exempt,” or the holder does not have to pay city, state or federal income taxes.

Puerto Rico won’t be able to seek protection under municipal-bankruptcy statutes, and a bailout of any kind from the U.S. is highly unlikely. Could marijuana legalization save the Puerto Rican economy? …

Legalized pot is a win-win for everyone. It stimulates the economy while giving the people what they want. Let’s face reality: the United States government, for example, like other countries, continues spending money every year trying to stop American’s from getting high, but the drug war hasn’t stopped Americans from doing drugs. You can buy any drug you want in any city in America without knowing anyone by simply approaching a few people. Finding a drug dealer is easier than buying beer at 7/11, and they don’t even ask for ID.

Legalized pot is big time business that could bring in millions of dollars to the Puerto Rican government, pay off the debt and give the people what they want…

Let’s be clear: I’m not advocating drug use. Drugs scare me. What I’m suggesting is applying critical thinking on an issue where none exists. There is a serious problem facing Puerto Rico and many other economies around the world, and legalized marijuana is a very viable solution. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-siebold/legalized-pot-can-help-so_b_7935048.html

Let’s be clear–the above author is encouraging drug use when he claims that legalizing marijuana is a ‘win-win’ situation.

People in Puerto Rico and elsewhere need the Kingdom of God. Encouraging the production and consumption of marijuana is not good for people in general or Puerto Ricans in particular.

That being said, there is another point to make.

Puerto Rico is in debt, taxes are being raised, lenders are beginning to flee, and drought has been hitting the land. It is part of what could be considered to be a ‘perfect storm’ that may push Puerto Rico further from the USA if the USA does not assist.

But what about the USA itself?

Well it is in massive debt and could face a worse ‘perfect storm’ itself:

Here is something I wrote about that in my latest book Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States:

The Bible warns against the type of moral decline that is occurring in the U.S.A.:

12 Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel: “Because you despise this word, And trust in oppression and perversity, And rely on them, 13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you Like a breach ready to fall, A bulge in a high wall, Whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant. (Isaiah 30:12-13)

But how can this happen to the USA? It will likely happen with a combination of events. Notice:

5 “Moreover the multitude of your foes Shall be like fine dust, And the multitude of the terrible ones Like chaff that passes away; Yes, it shall be in an instant, suddenly. 6 You will be punished by the Lord of hosts With thunder and earthquake and great noise, With storm and tempest And the flame of devouring fire. (Isaiah 29:5-6)

The debt situation of the USA is putting it at risk of being unable to recover should it be hit by weather problems, terrorist acts, war, riots, solar flares, severe earthquakes, civil unrest, devastation of their genetically-modified food supplies, food shortages, and/or various pestilences–an intensity of “sorrows” such as Jesus discussed in Matthew 24:4-8 leading up to the time of the Great Tribulation. Disasters, especially if there is an ElectroMagnetic Pulse (EMP) attack or a severe solar flare storm, could be part of a so-called “perfect storm” of events that could set the USA for destruction. (Thiel B. Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States. Nazarene Books, 2015, pp. 96-97)

During the coming time of more crises, the government of the USA will also likely increase taxes and place more burdens on its citizens and residents.

Yet, the time will come when the USA will have no one who will lend to it or restructure its debts. Creditors will conclude that if the USA could not pay them back when times were relatively good, how could a USA affected by major disasters hope to pay the debts back. Creditors will conclude that it is NOT possible and will takeover the USA per Habakkuk 2:6-8.

What is happening in Puerto Rico now is but a small taste of what will happen to the USA.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Marijuana: Should a Christian Get High? There is increasing acceptance of the use of marijuana. How should Christians view this? Here is a related video titled How Should a Christian View Marijuana?
Mexico, Central America, South America, Brazil, and the Caribbean in Prophecy [Español: México, América central, Suramérica, Brasil y el Caribe en la profecía] [Português: México, América Central, Ámérica do Sul, e Brasil na profecia] What will happen to those of Latin America? Will they have prosperity? Will they cooperate with Europe? Will they suffer in the future? What role might the various Caribbean nations/territories play?
Weather Blessings and Sorrows Are weather problems a warning? What should be done? What does the Bible teach about weather? What about floods, droughts, heat, earthquakes, tornadoes, and solar storms? Here is a related YouTube video Does God Use Weather? A related item in the Spanish language would be Bendiciones y maldiciones del clima.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? You can also see a YouTube video sermon The Gospel of the Kingdom.
Is the USA now an Evil Empire? Dr. Thiel gives many reasons to consider. A related video is also available: Is the USA an Evil Empire?
Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States This is a 188 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Hillary Clinton and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also discusses Republicans. The physical book can be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Hillary Clinton Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Hopi, and other America-Related Prophecies? $11.99.
Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version of the 188 page print edition is available for only US$3.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Amazon Kindle edition.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter? and British are the Covenant People. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be Barack Obama and the State of the Apocalypse.
Will the Anglo-Saxon Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Serán divididas las naciones anglosajonas?