Do most Puerto Ricans want to be independent...?

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Tito

There are 3 political parties in Puerto Rico. The New Progressive Party, which is pro-statehood, the Popular Democratic Party, which is pro-commonwealth status, and the Independence Party of Puerto Rico which is pro-independence. The two major parties being the NPP and the PDP. Most people are either in favor of statehood or a continuation of the Commonwealth status. Supporters of reaching independence are limited, though they do certainly exist.

I'm a supporter of Statehood, and I think that in the future we should be fully integrated to the United States. Assuming that the new administration does comply with it's promise to resolve Puerto Rico's status both democratically and as soon as possible, I have a feeling that there could be a possible change, though that all depends on what the options are. If Puerto Rico is granted self determination, and the only options(which seem to be the only valid options) are Independence, Associated Republic, and Statehood, I'm pretty sure that Statehood would be the favorable option. When I say that those 3 are the only valid options I base my statement on the fact that Puerto Rico's current commonwealth status was established temporarily until we decided on integration via statehood or separation via independence.

But anyway, that's a pretty in depth response to your question; No, most Puerto Ricans do not want Puerto Rico to reach independence. The problem is that Puerto Rico has always voted against Statehood and in favor of the current commonwealth status. However, I would hope that if we do get a plebiscite and the majority votes in favor of statehood, that the US would grant us Statehood. Puerto Rico has earned it. It isn't fair that Puerto Ricans fight in American wars to defend our liberty as Americans and the concept of democracy, yet does not reserve the right to participate in the general national elections if you're living on the island. Aside from that, we don't have appropriate representation in Congress, so although the federal laws that are proposed and established in Congress do apply to Puerto Rico, we have absolutely no say. We have a Resident Commissioner who can participate in the debates but doesn't have a vote, which is what I mean by appropriate representation. It's really humiliating actually. I'm a firm supporter of statehood, because I consider that Puerto Rico would be on better terms if we were to reach statehood, but if we choose statehood and congress denies it, depending on the reasons that they provide, I'll support Independence. Puerto Rico deserves much more than a colonial status.

I'd just like to clear up to the "gentleman" that referred to Puerto Ricans as Mexicans that he is clearly confused. Puerto Rico and Mexico are two completely different places. Mexico is a country, and Puerto Rico is a US Territory and has been since 1898 when the US INVADED the Island. If Puerto Rico doesn't in your opinion deserve Statehood, then we should be granted Independence. I don't care what you have to say, if we can die for OUR(because it isn't YOUR country, it is also ours) country, then we should be able to decide who's in power of it. We should also have appropriate representation in Congress. The only similarity between Mexico and Puerto Rico that I can think of is that we speak the same language. The dialect is different, the foods are different, the music is different. The entire LIFESTYLE is different. You are a lazy person, and I hope that one day you grow a brain or develop some sort of determination to classify people individually, not an entire sector of society based upon your LAZINESS. Read a little more about Puerto Rico and you'll understand what I am saying.

rssawyer

let PR remain

Bebe

Some puerto ricans want to be Independent, some want to be a state & some just want to stay as a territory. There are political parties for each of these & it is the main political issue. But since most people dont agree on one choice, then it ends up staying as is. But really the US govt can decide to do whatever they want, whenever they want. I dont see PR becoming a state unless majority of the island fights for that. I really hope not because I dont see any good for PR out of becoming a state. I would like to see independence but I guess I am scared like many people so I usually just agree to stay a territory. But yes anything is possible.

Darth Eugene Vader

No.
* most puertorricans (42 to 45%) wants to stay as is (or slightly better)
* a similar quantity (42 to 45%) want PR to becaome a state,
* only 3 to 5% of us want to be independent.
* whatever % are left are undecided and shift from one side to the other from time to time.

Not sure about the future. If America was capable to elect a black president, grant statehood in 50 years seems possible.

ghost

They voted against becoming a state.

a_juiiicy

ACTUALLY, whats happening is that puerto rico would love to be a part of the united states, but we are afraid that we will loose our culture and specialties that make us, us. United states willl probly leave it as is ..

see_ya

no. PR does not want to be independent and it should because we would all die of hunger. Im puerto rican, but I must say we are so spoiled by the US that PR couldnt survive in a heart beat. People here complain about everything but they never move a finger to change things. I wouldnt mind PR independence if I was certain we would be brave enough to reach out our hands and help each other. Right now lots of people would like PR to become a state and the other half to stay a common wealth like it has been for the last 50 something years. in the next 20-50 years PR is more likely to become a permanent US state.

Mr. Vitamin C

Only those whom are willing to move foward and work I suppose.
I wouldnt want those Mexicans in the Union any how..if they are let in- then the USVI, Guam, Marianas, Samoa will want in. Besides, we can't afford it now, wait another 100 years:p

Mia

Don't have much to add to Tito V's answer other than to nod in agreement; most Puerto Ricans do not want independence and are quite content to be affiliated to the United States. I support statehood personally.

And just to clarify to the person who made the first comment, we are not 'given free citizenship', we're not given anything, we are born Americans just like any other person born in the United States, social security and all. Just like our fellow Americans born in Washington, D.C. Or are they also "given free citizenship"?

Fallen One

Well not really, a lot of Puerto Ricans tell me they love being a part of America since they are given a free US citizenship without having to work themselves at both ends for it like most immigrants do (like Asians and other Hispanics). Also, I don't know but if we lean Democrat then I am sure Puerto Rico will be granted full independence.

By free citizenship I mean Puerto Ricans do not have to worry about screwing up and being deported like other Hispanics and Asians have to. Puerto Ricans are given a citizenship unlike other Hispanics.

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