Well, without being argumentative, that’s kind of my point, and I might not have expressed what I wanted with my short comment.
The “US” (as we probably think of the US, which includes PR in some ways and in some ways does not) can supply wire and cable and insulators and switchgear and can send teams of people skilled in infrastructure rebuild (it’s not like rewiring a lamp) with bucket trucks etc; but as soon as the “US” takes over the effort as director, not only does it have to displace the local utility company (known to be thoroughly corrupt) but it has to develop the mgmt and rent and secure the warehouses and all that. As is, even if the locals were told to stand down and stay home they would never accept not being paid. Despite the horrific waste and the tragedy of having all the affected people without power for months and months, it’s cheaper to dump all the gear and supplies in a warehouse and let the local util co deal with it as they will. It’s stupid and wasteful but it would undoubtedly be more costly if we were to actually take over the entire effort. And the locals would vandalize whatever was built out of standard leftist protest and/or steal the parts and sell them as scrap. Or both. Right?
” Despite the horrific waste and the tragedy of having all the affected people without power for months and months, it’s cheaper to dump all the gear and supplies in a warehouse and let the local util co deal with it as they will. “
Completely WRONG in my view! You can’t continue to countenance the government corruption there. Personally, I’d create a GITMO look alike there, and then cut them loose. Revoke their citizenship and let them sink or swim on their own. If they want to become a Ch*nk or Cuban satellite, let them try. If the PR’s hate white people, and trust me, I’ve gone there on business, and they truly hate the US Mainland citizens, let’s see how they fare being lead around by the nose by the Red Chinese. PR today is no different than Mexico in the way it’s governed. Your idea is simply doing what we’ve done for a century or more, expecting somehow it will resolve itself? Get serious. Trump is President because he’s intent upon not doing the same things over, but rather seeking new solutions.