Should the US make Puerto Rico a state?

[Gamma Male]

I think so. It isn't right that we control them but don't give them full representation.

[Vlerchan]

Where's the option for independence?

[Camazotz]

Most Puerto Ricans have never wanted to become a state. It's only been recent (last few years) where they voted in the majority to become a state. I think they'd have to pay more taxes, etc. if they did become an official state. I have no preference as long as we do what is in their and our best interest.

[pjones]

i don't think we should "make" Puerto Rico a state. they should decide for themselves

[StoppingTime]

i don't think we should "make" Puerto Rico a state. they should decide for themselves

That's not really how the US government works...Puerto Rico can't simply start an independence movement against the US and expect to just gain it, see the problem there?

[Camazotz]

That's not really how the US government works...Puerto Rico can't simply start an independence movement against the US and expect to just gain it, see the problem there?

Puerto Rico is a US territory and is not considered a state based on the laws they follow vs. the ones we follow, etc. I think he meant that if Puerto Ricans wanted to remain a US territory, they should be able to, or if they want to become a state (which would change certain laws regarding taxes and such), they should be able to vote on it.

I don't think he meant that they should be allowed to secede from the US.

[phuckphace]

I can't see any advantages to statehood. I mean sure they could vote in presidential elections (top lel) and pay more taxes. a majority of Puerto Ricans don't speak English so there's that hurdle as well. seems like it'd be better for both sides if we just cut them loose.

[Perfectly Flawed]

Puerto Rico has on many occasions voted against being a state to keep their native language and avoid losing their culture. I don't think Puerto Rico should be a state until they want to become a state.

[Canadian Dream]

Puerto Rico shouldn't even be US territory in my opinion. These people have the right to be free and are able to make decisions for themselves.

[Jean Poutine]

Ask Puerto Ricans and they'll decide themselves.

Union as well as secession should always be put to a democratic referendum, except in the case of Quebec. I'd fully support the FLQ coming back and making the feds pay for the theft of our referendum until they are so tired of pea soups blowing up McGill University buildings that they kick us out.

[Southside]

Puerto Rico shouldn't even be US territory in my opinion. These people have the right to be free and are able to make decisions for themselves.

Im half Puerto Rican, still have relatives down there

We didn't choose to be a US territory, we were forcibly taken over. It was a time when we couldn't even fly our own flag without being arrested. Speaking of independence or singing a patriotic song was a caoffense .

A lot of the older generations are satisfied with the status of Puerto Rico as a commonwealth/U.S. territory though the younger generations tend to lean toward statehood.

I don't know what my stance is, I fear if we become a independent nation that we will fall into poverty and a drug war like most of Latin America. It's already a high unemployment rate and a growing drug trade market fueled by central & south American cartels. So even though I haven't made up my stance yet completely in leaning toward staying In our current status

[sqishy]

Why in the hell take their independence from them?

[tovaris]

Puerto Rico should be granted independance

[Danny_boi 16]

Puerto Rico should be granted independance
That's not even an option. That it'd not the current relationship between the United States and Puerto Rico. The people of Puerto Rico what to be part of the United States. Their current status as a territory damages their freedom. This can be seen, since they can't vote for president or have any representation in the Senate. That's why the people of Puerto Rico want to be a state; so they can have more rights and freedoms.

[Harry Smith]

Puerto Rico should be granted independance

why is your only opinion in these matters to make a country independent no matter what?

[Ethe14]

While I voted no, I've changed my mind. I think they should become a state so that way they might become more prosperous.

[tovaris]

That's not even an option. That it'd not the current relationship between the United States and Puerto Rico. The people of Puerto Rico what to be part of the United States. Their current status as a territory damages their freedom. This can be seen, since they can't vote for president or have any representation in the Senate. That's why the people of Puerto Rico want to be a state; so they can have more rights and freedoms.

That is one part pf the people pf puerto rico the jther part wants to be an independant country.

why is your only opinion in these matters to make a country independent no matter what?

1 because they want it
2 because they deserve it
3 because they should not be a CIA playground

[Cygnus]

1 because they want it
2 because they deserve it
3 because they should not be a CIA playground

Actually, and I'm no US supporter, but actually a minority of Puerto Ricans actually desire independence. They could deserve it whatever, but if only the minority wants it one can't argue with that.

[carolinae]

I'm from Puerto Rico; born, raised, and I'm currently living here.

I can't see any advantages to statehood. I mean sure they could vote in presidential elections (top lel) and pay more taxes. a majority of Puerto Ricans don't speak English so there's that hurdle as well. seems like it'd be better for both sides if we just cut them loose.

Now, becoming a state of the United States does mean taxes will increase, but if you compare, say, a U.S. teacher's annual income (from 33K to 54K depending on the state) to a P.R. teacher's annual income (22K) you can clearly see a great difference, so it kind of equals out.

The Puerto Rican public school system is horrible. Our education system is below the majority of states of the United States. There are very few English teachers, and most of them do a lousy job at teaching (they give the same lessons throughout all of elementary school and in high school students finally learn the difference between 'then' and 'than'). Lately there have been american teachers working here and students' English-speaking rate has increased,probably because they are forced to speak it, otherwise the teacher and students wouldn't understand each other.
There is little motivation-do to anything- due to the bad administration of the government. If you have a legal problem it will take months to get the government involved.
Health/medical care has minimal services compared to the U.S.
It would be fair to all of Puerto Rico's citizens to become a state since the vast majority of the laws that we still come from the United States, but they are not enforced properly, so some american intervention in our government (e.g. an american governor) would help this little country.

Puerto Rico has on many occasions voted against being a state to keep their native language and avoid losing their culture. I don't think Puerto Rico should be a state until they want to become a state.

On 2012's elections more than 50% Puerto Ricans voted for statehood, but also more than 50% voted for the commonwealth party (which makes no sense). People here are highly influenced by their families to vote; e.g. if my family followed the independent party I would have to vote for them on the next elections. That is so wrong. People here just don't know how to vote.
The English language already influences our vocabulary. In Puerto Rico, we say things like 'parking' instead of 'estacionamiento' which is the correct Spanish word for a parking lot. We also say 'closet' instead of 'armario' and much more. These are called 'anglicismos' which, whether we like it or not, are a common thing happening in our everyday vocabulary.

Puerto Rico should be granted independance

If Puerto Rico was 'granted' independence, this country would be one of the poorest in Latin America. There is little food production to sustain the people, and we are much too influenced by the U.S. now to back down. If Puerto Rico doesn't become a state, I'm pretty sure it would stay as a territory.


I, personally, think becoming a state would benefit Puerto Rico in a lot more ways than those I exposed. People think it's a right to be a U.S. citizen, but it really is a privilege, and most of us don't understand that.

[Danny_boi 16]

That is one part pf the people pf puerto rico the jther part wants to be an independant country.



1 because they want it
2 because they deserve it
3 because they should not be a CIA playground

You have no idea what you are talking about. Puerto Rico does not want to be a county. No one in Puerto Rico wants to have Puerto Rico to become a country. What the people want is to be a state. Right now they are a territory with limited rights. They want to have the same rights as the other states. Where on earth did you get the idea about the CIA? I hope you haven't confused Puerto Rico with Cuba from the 60s. You obviously have no idea what Puerto Rico is, or what the people want.

[tovaris]

Actually, and I'm no US supporter, but actually a minority of Puerto Ricans actually desire independence. They could deserve it whatever, but if only the minority wants it one can't argue with that.

Statistics show zhat minorety is abput half of the population.

You have no idea what you are talking about. Puerto Rico does not want to be a county. No one in Puerto Rico wants to have Puerto Rico to become a country. What the people want is to be a state. Right now they are a territory with limited rights. They want to have the same rights as the other states. Where on earth did you get the idea about the CIA? I hope you haven't confused Puerto Rico with Cuba from the 60s. You obviously have no idea what Puerto Rico is, or what the people want.

There is in fact a stron mkvement for puerto rico to become independnt.
You realy should read more, since puerto rico is a colony of the us it is not us soill, therefore cia can do stuf there. Stuf like test out highly expsrimental birth control pils (not a conspirecy they admotex this one) and maybe test out agent orange.... etc

Please do not double post. -Cygnus David

[Vlerchan]

Statistics show zhat minorety is abput half of the population.
No.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Rican_status_referendum,_2012

[tovaris]

No.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Rican_status_referendum,_2012

Iven thos unreljable source states that cca 50 per cent do not agre with becoming a state

[Vlerchan]

Iven thos unreljable source states that cca 50 per cent do not agre with becoming a state
Unreliable? It was a legitimate referendum.

You original claim was also that a majority wanted independence not that "50 per cent do not agre with becoming a state".

[tovaris]

Unreliable? It was a legitimate referendum.

You original claim was also that a majority wanted independence not that "50 per cent do not agre with becoming a state".

Wikepedia is not a reliabe source

And my original cmale was tnat not a minorety(which is not the same as majorety) a ninprety is undet 10 per cent while a third is stil auite a part

[Vlerchan]

Wikepedia is not a reliabe source.
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/11/07/politics/election-puerto-rico/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/07/puerto-rico-statehood-vote_n_2088254.html

http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2012/11/07/despite-referendum-puerto-rican-statehood-unlikely-until-at-least-2015

http://www.latinodecisions.com/blog/2012/12/28/the-results-of-the-2012-plebiscite-on-puerto-ricos-political-status/

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/11/07/puerto-rico-referendum/1689097/

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/nov/09/puerto-rico-vote-us-statehood

Wikipedia is also a reliable source when it's a direct reference to a referendum that you can actually go and doublecheck yourself took place.

And my original cmale was tnat not a minorety(which is not the same as majorety) a ninprety is undet 10 per cent while a third is stil auite a part
You claimed that Peurto Rican's 'wanted' independence, which implies a majority.

You later claimed that the numbers who want independence are 'about half' and that there was a 'strong' movement for independence in Peurto Rico.

A minority is also defined as "the smaller number or part, especially a number or part representing less than half of the whole."