They have already proven that they can't run a solvent government. That would be like marrying someone who is bankrupt. I don't need any more dependents. The kinder and more helpful thing to do would be to surrender our territorial claim altogether. Tough love,
6
Louisiana? Well, there's a state that's NEVER needed flood disaster assistance from the Federal Government. Strong reputation for honest government and protection of its natural resources, too. No wonder people from that State would be fervently opposed to Puerto Rico statehood.
11
Statehood maybe better for Puerto Rico but it would take several generations for Puerto Ricans to be considered American, if ever.
This could finally break the logjam related to Senate inequalities. Need to keep the political balance in place? Time to split Texas into East Texas and West Texas - poof, two more republican senators.
Of course, then there are a number of states that should have more Senate representation. NY, CA, PA, etc. Make it work out, but time to move past Wyoming having as many senators as California.
1
I understand Puerto Rico's push for statehood. In the short term, it would be a good thing, both for the island and the country as a whole.
The long term picture, however, is not nearly so rosy. The reasons they have for joining are the same that Quebec had for joining the Canadian confederation; they simply want the same rights as other subjects of the flag they live under, even if they don't share the same language or culture. But if we don't nurture that relationship, if we don't treat with them equally and give their traditions their proper due, decades down the line we may find ourselves in the very embarrassing position of having to remove a star from our flag, because the people it represents no longer have any faith in their majority English speaking compatriots to hear their voices.
With the republicans in charge of the federal government and most state governments the chances of Puerto Rico ever becoming a state are slim and none. Their skin color is just a little to dark for right wing America and oh yeah they do speak Spanish. Another sticking point for so many white Americans who forget that their antecedents came from somewhere else and didn't speak English
3
This would present a massive challenge on so many levels.
In education, for instance--90% of 4th graders in Puerto Rico score below basic on math. The next lowest level is the District of Columbia where 31% score below basic.
Only 10% of 4th graders in Puerto Rico score at the basic level, and none at proficient or higher. In the District of Columbia, 38% score at the basic level, 24% at proficient, and 7% at advanced.
Just taking on schooling--now taught in Spanish--would be a mammoth undertaking.
I'm not saying it can't or shouldn't be done. But it will be a monumental challenge.
1
Good points. When I visited Puerto Rico a few years ago, I was surprised by the number of people who didn't speak English. Very surprised. I expected them to be more bilingual. Which raises the question: how important is language to our shared cultural identity? Test scores can be improved, but what does it really mean to be an American? That's a conversation worth having.
1
They need to ask Cuba how to survive these hurricanes and tropical storms. They must decentralize their power grid for a start.
“a successful statehood referendum last year” - misleading. Turnout was under 23%. PR has *zero* chance of statehood until referendums are overwhelmingly successful, with turnout and Yes’s both in excess of at least 70%.
How do say not happening in Spanish? Thank you Google. No esta pasando gentlemen, definitivamente no sucediendo.
Furthermore, in addition to no chance for statehood, PR also doesn’t have funds to fly seven members business class, to Florida and DC, for a pitch that in current form is a joke.
Yes, they should go, but only to obtain at least 7 gensets free of cost, baggage charges waived. If they’re work it right, they might even get 100. I hope they do. Good luck.
2
Condescending posts like this, along with the current president's attitude, reflect the growing antipathy Americans have toward Puerto Ricans. It's a great reason to desire and advocate and fight for independence.
5
And while we're at it, let's make DC a state as well.
6
Why not just give D.C. back to Maryland instead. The federal government doesn't need to represent itself.
3
Time for statehood, for Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia. Plain and simple, it is time. These are full US Citizens and they deserve all of the rights and privileges of citizenship.
7
Becoming a sovereign nation is what they should be thinking of instead. Puerto Rico is a Latin American and Hispanic nation which was put under American control, after it was invaded in 1898. The US is not Canada and does not tolerate a Puerto Rico with its own language and identity. Puerto Rico is not Quebec. Puerto Ricans were granted citizenship in 1917 so that they could be drafted as soldiers and that is the way it has been ever since. It was a crime to even fly a Puerto Rican flag until 1952. I think it's time Puerto Rico starts broadening its horizons and cutting down on US dependence, while on the way to officially become what they already are de facto: a country, a nation.
7
Or perhaps they should join Spain again.
2
dream on
there is no way the GOP would allow this - it would amount to two more dem senators - look at DC - no senators - how do you think this would ever play out but of course somehow small republican states like Wyoming w/ few people - have senators - sure VT does too - but most of the small states are red -
the best that could happen would be PR turns FL blue -
6
This is headed in the wrong direction. Puerto Rico should not be a state, it should be it's own country.
6
Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands should have been made the combined 51st state long ago.
It is unconscionable that a third of a year after the hurricane, 1.5 million Americans on Puerto Rico, and at least another half million in US Virgin Islands still lack power and access to safe running water.
4
That is why they should not be States. Those are local, not federal responsibilities and they can't carry them out. They are not self-sufficient enough to pull their load as states.
3
If I were governor of Florida, I'd see about bringing Puerto Rico along for the ride. First, we'd pick up at least 4 representatives in the house, to 31. Second, we'd get the benefit of the payroll taxes (FICA and Medicare) Puerto Ricans already pay the US (yes, the DO pay taxes, but the Federal tax revenues from individuals are given to Puerto Rico). Third, what we're really good at is tourism, so Puerto Rico would get a shot in the arm there.
Alternatively, the time may have come to cut them loose. We annexed Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the USVI for military reasons that are now (with the exception of Guam) long in the past.
Either fish or cut bait, but it is a disgrace that these Americans have been treated like second class citizens just because "they don't speak English" or their personal income tax doesn't go to Washington.
4
There could be another solution: incorporate Puerto Rico into Florida. If it only becomes a state on its own, it may not solve some of its governance issues, or Washington may use those issues to justify not making PR a state. But Florida would add to its political clout, work to ensure that the island's governance improves, and will have more localized oversight of the rebuild of the island in every way.
1
Real political power is the key to Puerto Rico's bid for statehood.
For that to happen, Puerto Ricans on the island and on the mainland must unite to overcome the cynical political calculations in Washington. It will require a Democratic Congress, because Republicans believe they have nothing to gain from making Puerto Rico the 51st state. But unlike the past, the 2017 combination of Hurricane Maria and Donald Trump's indifference to their well-being and subtle racism may just bring all the stars into alignment.
Puerto ricans have been fighting and dying in our wars since WW I. If statehood is what a solid majority of them want, then it should be made so.
7
Puerto Rico only wants Americans' money. They have rejected America for generations. They even reject the English language, insisting on their schools teaching in Spanish (they used to teach in English until 1948 when they rejected English and chose Spanish). Puerto Ricans are exempt from US income tax but receive nearly all federal government services and welfare programs.
Instead of extending statehood to Puerto Rico we should kick Puerto Rico out of the nation. We should force independence on them.
9
We should also close Guantanamo and return the land to its rightful Cuban owners.
However, bigoted white supremacists cannot force anything on Puerto Rico.
For better or for worth (regardless of which viewpoint one holds), Puerto Rico is a part of the U.S. by U.S. law.
3
Good luck, Puerto Ricans! Having a vote for President and voting representation in Congress won’t solve every problem, but it sure helps with a lot of things. As a state, it will be much harder to ignore you and to throw rolls of paper towels at you after hurricanes instead of pitching in to help. So best of luck in your endeavors!
26
It's long overdue and a travesty that PR isn't part of the union. Awaiting the announcement when PR is finally the 51st state.
24
Are you for real? You actually believe that it's "long overdue and a tragedy" that Puerto Rico isn't a state? If you had done some research before posting, you would have learned Puerto Ricans have rejected statehood initiatives in 5 seperate national initiatives, most recently in 2012. They have a well documented dislike of America. Of course, now they need $$$ from Uncle Sam, so their loud mouth politicians have changed their old tune, but that is no reason for you to fall for their phony hoo-haw about always wanting to be a state.
4
Between independence, statehood and the current territorial status, statehood makes the most sense...for Puerto Ricans and for the rest of the U.S. Why would the U.S. not want a strategic outpost in the middle of the Caribbean Basin?
However, Puerto Rico would add two Democratic senators to the U.S. Senate.
Republicans will NEVER let that happen.
Independence isn't a good option for Puerto Ricans either as maintaining ones own borders is very expensive, even if some Puerto Ricans (like Scots and Catalunyans) might find this possibility exciting.
2
"Why would the U.S. not want a strategic outpost in the middle of the Caribbean Basin?"
It was at one time. That's before we decided we didn't need one and closed Ramey AIr Force Base in Aguadilla, Fort Allen in Ponce, Roosevelt Roads Naval Base, closed the 10th Naval District command in San Juan and all the little naval radio stations scattered about the island. The natives threw us out from the firing range on Culebra.
The majority of the population doesn't really like us it's the political elites who want our money that keep talking about statehood.
1
Folks born in Puerto Rico are US citizens. They have voted in multiple referenda about independence, statehood or retaining the current status. There has never been any substantial move to change their current status.
After the island is restored to something approaching normal, they can vote again. Should a 'citizen' of Florida, who was born in Puerto Rico, get to vote in that referendum?
Until the citizens of Puerto Rico (however that is defined) indicate that they want to change their status, by say a 2/3 majority, their leaders should stick to the job at hand, rebuilding the island.
1
No statehood should be extended to Puerto Rico.
The US has subsidized Puerto Rico for decades (e.g. Puerto Ricans are exempt from the US income tax and they receive far more benefits from Social Security and Medicare than they pay in payroll taxes for those programs). In the past, even businesses in Puerto Rico were exempted from US income tax in order to encourage manufacturing companies to move plants there. Yet Puerto Rico receives nearly all the benefits of federal services and welfare programs. Puerto Rico has been and is more than ever a parasite on US taxpayers.
It was Puerto Rico's leaders and Puerto Rican voters who chose such a substantial amount of true socialism where the government owns the businesses including, most notably, the electric utility which has been incompetently managed for decades and riddled with corruption that no doubt is growing massively now due to the huge amounts of US taxpayer money being shoveled to the Puerto Rico politicians as hurricane relief. It is Puerto Rico's leaders elected by Puerto Rico's voters who have carried corruption to extreme and raised it to an art form (some of them recently finally indicted by the Justice Department). The degree of socialism that Puerto Rico chose made the perpetuation of corruption, waste, and mismanagement almost inevitable. There is such a high percentage of the population on the government payroll that they plus their spouses effectively determine the outcome of elections.
5
There are several inaccuracies in your statements. Puerto Rico does not receive more benefits from Social Security or Medicare; in fact, Puerto Ricans contribute the same amount than other states yet receive fewer benefits because our benefits are capped by the Federal government. English education is mandatory and the fact that Puerto Ricans speak Spanish is no different than people in Hawaii speaking Hawaiian or states such as Louisiana, Maine or New Mexico having de facto bilingual policies. The US government does not have an official language because our country was founded as a multilingual nation. By the way, the independence party in Puerto Rico does not have enough following to be even inscribed as a political party.
These benefits and welfare programs you are so quick to denounce are in place because the United States government have strangled economic development in Puerto Rico. For example, using the US Merchant Marines costs us $537 billion dollars each year and that is just one example of many. That was the reason why companies in Puerto Rico were exempted from paying taxes in the first place, a benefit that is no longer in place.
And yes, there are many problems with corruption in Puerto Rico, but they are comparable to what many states in the US experience with governmental and corporate cronyism, not socialism. While I don't believe in statehood, I do believe the US needs to assume responsibility for all its citizens. You don't get the easy way out.
Of course Puerto Rico should be admitted as a state.
One wonders why the territories acquired from Spain after the Spanish American War were treated in such disparate ways.
Cuba, having been promised its independence, was granted it.
The Phillipines, having been promised ITS independence, was not.
Guam, who knows what was promised to the sparsely populated island.
And Puerto Rico? Well, no one knew quite what to do with this precious jewel.
But the time for contemplation is long over. It’s abundantly clear that this netherworld of Commonwealth status only benefits a minority of the population.
Let’s bring Puerto Rico into statehood. We can have a competition to redesign our flag with 51 stars. Yes, islanders will have to pay federal taxes. So what? That is a PRIVILEGE, not a burden.
19
I would be against any addition to the country if there is no balance to the political system. Puerto Rico wold add two more Democrat Senators and more Democrat Representatives. Alaska and Hawaii were added only because one territory was predominately Democrat and the other Republican. I've lived there and seen the poverty and decrepit infrastructure and the island would be a permanent welfare basket case costing more than it could possibly bring in in tax revenue. Just look at the present situation with $70 Billion in debt that they want someone to pay off or write off.
In addition its school statistics would drag down our already deplorable failing schools. Plus, do we need a state where the predominant language is Spanish?Puerto Rico needs to become an independent nation and not a ward of Washington's largess. It will only come to resent US interference in its governance more than it does now.
9
They are American's as much as any one in the States. Are we going to kick out Mississippi because of low test scores? Or are we going to help our fellow citizens? Plus, I think being trapped in their state-but-not-a-state limbo has contributed to a lot of their problems.
24
"Just look at the present situation with $70 Billion in debt that they want someone to pay off or write off."?
And WHO made those loans? And WHO profited big-time from them? And WHO set the harsh terms and high rates?
Why, the SAME Big Banks who don't want to allow any restructuring of the debt. And who did the SAME thing in Greece and other countries. And who're calling the shots, since they also gave big-time to Trump, inhabit his "administration," and expect 'pay back' in the form of protection from the risks of lending.
When debtors are allowed to restructure debt, they can get back on their feet and resume functioning. When this is refused, the economic and political situation deteriorates.
Or are Big Banks the ONLY ones who get protected in terms of debt and government intervention, a la 2008? These SAME banks are the ones now demanding that no similar deals be given to PR, Greece, etc. The hypocrisy is galling!
3
One is reminded of Republicans' successful endeavors on the mainland to prevent members of certain groups favoring Democratic candidates from voting.
Puerto Rico wants to become the 51 state so they can hold us up for more money. It would join all the other southern states that receive more money from the federal government than they send in. If I get to vote on this, I vote no. We don't need another state joining to get more money from the Federal government. They already get welfare.
7
I agree. This will only become a burden to the other states. They had their opportunity many years ago and they remained in their current status to continue the rampant and disgusting corruption that they have become so accustomed to. I lived in PR for many years and I cannot support their statehood for so many reasons. They need to be independent and fix their mistakes.
4
Can we find a way to also jettison the swamps state of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama?
No one is draining the swamp down south.
Actually, having visited all four places, if I had to choose one place to live, I'd pick Puerto Rico.
2
Those Southern states are not bankrupt as is Puerto Rico. We pay our bills. It is the liberal blue states that vote for the welfare benefits that flow to the poor of the southern states who who originally resisted this erosion of the work ethic of the poor.
1