This is quite hard to explain as it requirs you to understand the culture of the island. As a Puerto Rican I understand it better...Before I go into details note that first
1. PR is a US territory
2. Residents born in the island are US citizens
3. PR Residents dont have representation in Congress - just a non-voting member
4. They cant vote for the president
5. They dont pay federal taxers
6. The are unincorpaorated territory
7. They are under Cabot laws - these require that cargo to the isalnd must be done on US flag ships, which are most expensive, and good are mostly taken to US land then to PR
8. All federal laws apply in the island - including minimum wage
9. Income per capita is $16,560 vs the Mississippi’s $31,186 ( a teacher earns 1,500 a month a polcie officer about 1,750.00)
For many years ( since the 1070’s) the Goverment lived beyond the means. Instead of cutting costs they borrowed to balance the budget. Now they cant borrow anymore and have to cut expenses.
Many are leaving the island as a rate to 30K a year, population in 2010 was 3.5 million, is estimated that in 2014 is about 3.1...
The Goverment is not efficient, they own most of the utilities companies except for Telephone and Wireless services. ( The Goverment owned the telephone Compnay but it was sold to GTE ( Now Verizon) who sold it to Claro a Mexican Enterprise)
There is more but I dont want to bore you w this...As a Puerto Rican I agree is a great place to visit.. Which I do every year to visit family ( I am heading there this week) but I wont leave there unless the Army send me...PM is you want more details