Should Puerto Rico be admitted as the 51st state of these united states of america?

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Humuhumunukunukuapuaa

I think it is not a matter of "If", but a matter of "when".

I am no big fan of statehood, however the reality is that given that we have been US Citizens for almost a century and most puerto ricans do want to have some sort of relationship with the USA, it will be inevitable that when the time comes to decide the ultimate fate of the island, the people will choose statehood.

Congress will have to comply because it will not be long before the sham that is the current status becomes obvious: America is a country based on the principle of equality and at some point the notion of having a territory with four million citizens that do not enjoy full privileges and representation under the Constitution will not be able to be justified.

Call it "commonwealth" or call it "territory", Puerto Rico is a de facto colony of the United States and having citizens living in colonial status is contrary to the core principles behind the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

For better or for worse, Puerto Rico will become the next Hawaii: People will choose statehood, relative prosperity and security. In exchange, there will be droves of rich mainland gringos flocking to the island to buy every square foot of real state near the ocean or with ocean views and seeking the good weather and the cheap labor for their businesses.

Home prices will sky rocket and - just like Hawaii - the locals will be priced out of their own land and forced to move to the mainland or live in cramped homes. In time, Puerto Ricans will trade their own homeland for the privilege of being a state. Is it worth it?

Peace.

The "L" Word

No, not at all! Puerto is a distinct nation with a 500 year old national identity that won't be erased. Statehood for Puerto Rico has about the same chances as Roman Polanski returning to U.S. to visit DisneyWorld: It ain't going to happen.

Congress is the only one that can admit a state. A popular vote doesn't mean Puerto Rico will become a state. Say for example, Haiti voted this very night in favor of joining the U.S. as a state, it can conduct such a vote, but since Congress has consent of the people, they are the only body that can admit a new state. Therefore, Haiti will remain independent and U.S. will not recognize any statehood claims So if the majority of Puerto Ricans vote for statehood and Congress say no, then no it will not be granted statehood. No = No. Plain and simple.

First they would have to have an overwhelming plural majority (like 80% in favor of statehood) before Congress acts on such a request. Second, there will have to be a first to decide between the two permanent options, which are statehood or independence. The older generation (pre 1960) prefer statehood, especially the elderly who live off social programs such as Social Security and Medicare. Their generation is dying and there has been a great void in the statehood party for younger party members. The universities are controlled by the Indepedence movement and leftists (this is typical throughout Latin America) and therefore the intellectual elites tend to be Independence followers. The economic elite (merchants, importers, bankers) tend to be statehooders for their interests are at stake if there is a political change for independence.

DC will never become a state also due to the fact that no state can claim the national capital. That is the main reason DC was created: to serve as an autonomous political entity and buffer zone between the North and the South. Also with DC's large African-American population, Southern whites will see a predominately black state as a threat.

Puerto Rico is a Spanish-speaking nation, with a Roman Catholic (not Protestant) majority who has a strong national identity and will not give up vestiges of that even with statehood. It is poorer than Mississippi (the poorest state in the Union). Furthermore, states that will gain seats in the house after the next census will lose their seats in order to give them to Puerto Rico. Seats = Money, and no state is stupid to vote away their seats to a new state.

The Statehood party is very divided in Puerto Rico. The two main leaders at each other's throats to become the sole voice of the movement. A divided house will not stand and with their tactics in scaring the poorly educated populations with the removal of benefits if it doesn't become a state and trying to force statehood down the throats of all Puerto Ricans, their days are numbered.

The U.S. will grant independence one way or another. Either full independence of Free Associated Republic (such as former colonies Micronesia, Marshall Islands, and Palau). There really is no other way the U.S. will go on this dilmena.

La Flaca

I am originally from NC.I moved to PR over a year ago. As an American, there is no way that I would want PR to become a state. Why??? Sure some people say "oh but PR isn't a state but the government gives them welfare and section 8 and even social security"... Well, this is my answer to those who say that:

You're right, Puerto Ricans get social security but they also pay in just like any other American.
And about the welfare and section 8 and stuff like that.. tell that to the wives and children of the thousands of Puerto Ricans fighting for the US....

Just a thought to think about

InquisitiveMind

No way....Never....Uh Uh....If its not broke dont fix it!

siegie s

after the way the U.S. has manipulated oppressed and exploited the Island, Hell no they should seek reparations is what they should do, I mean "hey you have to pay us taxes and die for our country, but no you cant vote"?!?! Screw that man. Im not Puerto rican , and im pissed off my self!!

shinningstarofthecarribean

That Will ONLY happens when Washington Decides IT Benefits Them....

It's NOT a Choice of the Puerto Ricans NOR the Puerto Rican Goverment..

Led*Zep*Babe

I really don't think Puerto Ricans would like that. I know I wouldn't if I was them....not saying nothing bad about the US or Americans, because I am one, but they are their own country. I wouldn't want to be the one to take that away from them...

CuriousOne

No way - look what happenned to Hawaii where regular people can't afford to live there!

Lost. at. Sea.

I agree with Luis.
The decision to make P.R. a state is on the hands of the USA.
We are living in a bubble with the day by day fallacies of our politicians who are happy with the two heads monster island created by the ELA. The fear to the State and the fear to the independent Republic are the legacy of the "Pan, Tierra y Libertad". What an irony: No economy (Pan), No land and No liberty.
We are Americans or we are Puerto Ricans? This is the only question that all Puerto Ricans need to answer to themselves. Simple as that. Unless we have consensus or future will be the same limbo of the past 500 years.
For me the only path to follow is the freedom.

~*Berry Me*~

to my opinion yes it should be but to other puerto ricans opinion im not sure they want it to be , im a puerto rican but i left years ago and this whole 51st state has been disputed for years and i dont see it any where close , puertoricans like the commodity of being a state but im sure they dont like the responsibility of being a state they wouldnt know how to choose a president because they like the drama of the politics in puerto rico , once its a state the drama is over

Jenny

yes puerto rico should be part of the u.s. because it's a nice place and then all the fine puerto rican boys can come to florida any time they want LOL!

castaspella0183

Well, In my opinion yes it should be. But, whenever it comes to a vote the people of Puerto Rico say no they don't want to be a state. Eventualy it might make it's way to statehood. My guess would be around the same time Cuba becomes part of the U.S.A

Crystal

Yes it should

My message wasn't complete, I don't know why, so that's why I'm editing. Yes, it should be a state, because, a lot of puertorricans leave their families to fight US wars, , they had one of the biggest bases in PR, even thou they say that they are not working, the are working at the base of Roosevelt Road, (I know, my parents live near it, and I know people that are working right now there) and in PR, they have a lot of industry that helps the US economy (not PR). We produce for them.

I'll dream for PR freedom, but reality is, PR is not prepared for freedom, because we don't know the values of our nature, and our rich island, and people only want and are used to office work, and they don't want to sweat to eat. And thats because they are part of USA. If PR is free, we will end being poor, with hunger, and missing. That's why I think, that if PR works for USA, then it should be treated and be admitted as a state.

And yes, you are right, only USA can admit PR as a state

maxhound

It already is a welfare state and the United States pays them all every month. We should just get away from them and let them fend for themselves. I'm sick of supporting Puerto Rico, We have enough people here to take care of.

Just a friend.

No, it will become nothing more than a welfare state. Better to cut them loose and let them become their own nation.

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