Should Puerto Rico be allowed Statehood?

Care to PROVE that?

 

Cuba wanted statehood at one time. It their wisdom, our leaders thought Cuba would be too expensive to Americanize. It was also too black and too non-English speaking. They also thought Cuba could be more easily exploited without statehood. All that probably applies to Puerto Rico as well.

 

There might have been a possibility of statehood as soon as the islanders were assimilated into English like Hawaii did. However by 1915 that was not to be. In fact forced English instruction fueled insurrection and violence and once Spanish was reinstalled in schools everything quieted down.
Nonetheless the island was needed for strategic purposes and was not going to be let go by the Navy, the real power until the end of the Cold War.
As the economy began to tank in the 70's welfare soared to 60% of the population and a desire for statehood skyrocketed. Pro statehood leaders sold the 51'st state as a bonanza for the poor thus it's increasing rise in the polls and elections.
The GOP at first backed statehood but when they looked at the details of such a move they were appalled.
As a state PR would have more representatives than 26 states, most likely democrats.
Spanish language was not negotiable according to statehood big wigs.
Puerto Rico's Olympic team was not negotiable either !
As a state the island would have 6 or 7 electoral votes enough to decide a close election.
According to the recent CBO study (2014) the island will be entitled to receive billions more in federal welfare funds , fueling the notion among many on the island that nobody will work! Obama care, Pell grants and Medicaid will skyrocket with a less than average intake in federal taxes.
Therefore Congress hasn't offered statehood because , at the moment or in the foreseeable future, it's not in the best interests of the United States.

 

The GOP still officially supports statehood for Puerto Rico, if Puerto Ricans and Congress support that, but I don't see Puerto Ricans ever voting for statehood if it means making English the primary language.

 

The so called Republican party here goes by New Progressive Party (NPP). Does that sound like a conservative party to you? If and when PRico becomes a state the vast majority would end up in the Democratic party making PRico another true blue state. I certainly hope the GOP understands that and is secretly against making PRico the 51st state.

 

If they meet the requirements for becoming a State, I don't see why Americans can't have representation. Personally I would have it so there would be representatives from all US territories.

 

I am Canadian with an Ecuadorian wife so my opinion is a little different than the usual.... but.........a Puerto Rican Dollar.............. that is linked to the USA dollar to some degree...... while the legal process goes on and on and on and on...... could play a significant role in acting as insurance in the event of a major devaluation of the USA dollar????!!!!



http://www.examiner.com/article/geo...aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582

 

The establishment Republicans are anxious to amnesty 11 million illegals who will vote Democratic, so no they don't understand it.

 

Uncle Ferd hopes Rosie Perez is one o' dem Puerto Rican girls dats just dyin' to meet him...

Divided Puerto Ricans head to polls to vote on U.S. statehood
Sun Jun 11, 2017 | Puerto Ricans head to the polls on Sunday to decide whether they want their struggling U.S. territory to become the 51st U.S. state, although a vote in favor would likely face an uphill battle in Congress and with President Donald Trump.

 

Again? They have these referendums every couple of years.

 

1. 2.5 million people added to welfare, food stamps, social security, medicare and disability benefits
2. Falling under US labor, regulatory and environmental laws. The little industry and jobs in P.R. would vanish
3. The huge P.R. national debt

For Republicans it would mean 2 more Democratic Senators and more Democratic House members.

 

Yes, the more people on welfare the more people there are to vote to increase welfare payments, plus the greater then nation debt the more free interest money to the super rich. That is what you meant by "strength in numbers," isn't it?

 

The poll does not give the option of setting P.R. free, the exact opposite of statehood.

 

If anything, they should become independent. They offer virtually no benefit to the United States and there is no legitimate reason for them to be anything but independent. Regardless of their vote, they will not get Congress to back statehood...

 

I agree they should be independent. Puerto Rico is one of the last vestiges of 19th Century American imperialism, so let's clear our conscious and protect our wallets and allow independence.

 

The Dems hope to pick up 2 seats in the senate, I'm sure.

 

Ultimately it's up to the voters which political party, if any, picks up 2 seats in the Senate.

 

Not exactly.
We still have Guam, Siapan and Tinian.

 

Sure if they pay off all their debts, get their economy to match the USA and get their governmental infrastructures to average norms with the USA average norms (such as funded schools and medical care system) I would say we can consider it.

 

PR either needs to be admitted to the Union or set free.

A little, but we would get used to it. Here's one set of possible designs. I like the top- one

 

Most times the PR vote is to stay the way they are currently. This time 97% wanted statehood.

 

They're only going for statehood now that they're bankrupt.

 

So what? It's not like bankrupt states have been assisted by the feds. I say let them become a state, so that they have to pay FICA, etc., just like the rest of us.

 

The New Progressive Party which has controlled PR since the economic crisis began is the equivalent of the Republican Party. Governor Roselló is as Republican as anyone can get. Small wonder why everything is so screwed there.

 

Here is a good video on this topic:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=469084980169770