Should We Seriously Consider Statehood for Puerto Rico ?

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   RJ Schwartzposted 5 years ago

   Puerto Rico is making its biggest push for statehood in years, filing legislation in Congress that would make the island the 51st state by 2021.  But the push for statehood has not been wholeheartedly received on the island, where it is seen as a stable option that blends both sovereignty and federal support. In a referendum last year, 97 percent of those who voted chose statehood, but just 23 percent of registered voters cast ballots. The vote was seen as flawed and opposition parties boycotted.
   
   What are your thoughts either for or against adding a 51st state ?

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      Credence2posted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, I am for it, we will have to redesign the flag to evenly accommodate 51 stars.

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      MizBejabbersposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      I'm for it also because if we don't, someday somebody may make another push to give Puerto Rico its independence. I was only a child when we gave independence to Cuba, but somehow I had a feeling that it was the wrong thing to do. Today you can look back and see the tragedy that happened with Cuba. I would rather see Puerto Rico firmly ensconced in the U.S. as a state than to have that happen to them.

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         IslandBitesposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         Huh? Cuban independence was recognized in the Treaty of Paris in 1898.

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            MizBejabbersposted 5 years agoin reply to this

            Sorry, but I wasn't around in 1898 but I was when we finally released our hold on it in the 1950s. The U.S. was so prominent and influential in Cuba that most of the U.S. didn't recognize that Cuba was independent. Kind of like Trump's recognizing Jerusalem the capital of Israel today.
            
            "Cuba slowly and saucily made its way to the mid-20th century under continued American dominance."
            
            http://remezcla.com/culture/cuban-indep … explained/

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               IslandBitesposted 5 years agoin reply to this

               Believe me, I know.
               
               (After Cuba made them.)

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                  GA Andersonposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                  Okay, explain yourself young lady!
                  
                  I enjoyed that linked article's writing style. The information was basic, (at least to me, as I was/am unfamiliar with Coo-bah's history), but entertainingly presented. An enjoyable read. I am jealous of that author's abilities.
                  
                  So ... what does your comment mean?
                  
                  GA

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                     IslandBitesposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                     (I dont know why but I can't edit quotes.)
                     
                     "when we finally released our hold on it"
                     After Cuba made them. (Cuban Revolution)

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                        GA Andersonposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                        ... and the "believe me I know" part?
                        
                        ps. Do you import the quote first, before you type any reply? For me, the imported quote is right there for editing - as long as I import it first - before typing anything.
                        
                        GA

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                           IslandBitesposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                           Yes, I know how to do it. Thanks. But the page changed yesterday and no longer have that option.
                           
                           "Believe me, I know" because that's my MA, Caribbean History. Plus, as a Puerto Rican, I know about the kind of US "hold".

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                              GA Andersonposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                              Got it. Thanks.
                              
                              (I guess I can see the name linkage too)
                              
                              GA

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                           GA Andersonposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                           Oops ... that import function isn't around in the new format. I will miss it.
                           
                           GA

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                     MizBejabbersposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                     I don't think Cuba made the U.S. do anything. Batista had become so corrupt and also stolen U.S. dollars that the U.S. no longer supported him. Castro won the revolution and built his own army. The U.S. and the Soviet Union were involved in the Cold War. The next thing we knew, we had Soviet missiles 90 miles off our coast pointed at us. President Kennedy announced a blockade to prevent any more missiles from entering Cuba. We were at a standoff, and people here began building bomb shelters in anticipation of nuclear war. (and teaching their kids to "duck and cover")  The whole thing really wasn't that simple, especially to those of us who lived through those scary days. Decades later it was announced that we had been within about 3 hours of nuclear war. Certain U.S. agencies wanted the war, but Kennedy bluffed (not sure that is the right word) the Soviets into backing down.
                     
                     https://www.history.com/this-day-in-his … ile-crisis
                     
                     This is a very simplistic synopsis and I've left out a lot, but there are some other good articles on this time in our history. Yes, the U.S. had "holds" on some less powerful countries, but if we had not, then the other superpower, the Soviet Union would have held them as they did Çuba. I've known some Cuban boat people who fled to this country, and do they have some stories to tell!
                     This is exactly why I am for keeping Puerto Rico and allowing them to become a state.

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      Live to Learnposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Several months ago I said give it to them. I assumed our relationship implied that we had an obligation, if they so chose. But, finding that the courts do not consider that relationship a harbinger of statehood, I'm inclined to say no.
      
      What does Puerto Rico have to offer the other 50 states? What will they bring to the table to offset costs involved with their inclusion?

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         RJ Schwartzposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         The infrastructure is in shambles and the government seems incapable of handling even the smallest social tasks.  Many people point toward the recent hurricane as a catch-all excuse, but remember that the island's water and power systems were both "broken" before any weather issue hit.  Also, the island's economy is heavily controlled by a black market that only deals in cash or barter.  My vote at this point would be no.

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            MizBejabbersposted 5 years agoin reply to this

            I realize that Puerto Rico has a broken infrastructure, but I believe that we should protect any interests we have in this hemisphere. Cuba and the Panama Canal are some good arguments for this. Even Bill Clinton who argued tooth and toenail to get rid of the Panama Canal, when President Carter was in favor of getting rid of it, publicly admitted that giving it up was a mistake. His arguments to get rid of the canal were very similar to the arguments you are making about Puerto Rico today, i.e. it was a money pit of an albatross.

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               RJ Schwartzposted 5 years agoin reply to this

               I believe we should keep it as a territory, but not elevate it to a state.

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      GA Andersonposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Hi RJ, I have an emotional response for you.
      
      Yes. we should, but, I think that grant should be conditional - as in ahorseback's comment.
      
      I say it is an emotional response because I can see no economic or social benefits to doing so, but ...
      
      We used Puerto Ricans, and their island nation, when it benefited us, and we did it under the implication of future statehood.
      
      It's time to pay the piper. If we are to be a nation of its word, then statehood must be an opportunity for Puerto Ricans because we led them to believe it was.
      
      GA

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   ahorsebackposted 5 years ago

   RJ.    I believe that Porto- Rico has to be fully brought up from being a third world country  at least to a majority extent before the US government assumes the awesome responsibility of  paying their way into statehood .   I'm talking mostly about their political corruption  , what happened to all of the aid money that went there?      Allegations of government corruption abound there .   It has for some time.
   
   No statehood until some major" Americanization "occurs in their leadership . Otherwise we watch , monitor and listen .

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      MizBejabbersposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Puerto Rico, like many countries south of us is a study in mismanagement. Apparently, it's debt crisis goes back much farther than I had thought. This article (link below)  is a very good explanation of it. If I'm reading it right, a lot of U.S. investors could be in deep doo doo if the country goes belly up. I had the misimpression that a lot of their crisis was caused by the infrastructure devastation. It goes back much farther as to why the electrical grid and other infrastructure was so weak in the first place.
      
      http://theweek.com/articles/614667/puer … -explained
      
      However, that article seems to be wrong about Puerto Rico's not being eligible for bankruptcy, according to this one below, but it agrees that Wall Street investors will be hurt, and trickle down to the little guy via reduced or wiped out pensions, etc.:
      
      https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/20 … 731091001/
      
      Both articles, among others, do bring out what one calls a "massive" emigration" of Puerto Ricans to Florida. These people are U.S. citizens who can't vote for president as residents of Puerto Rico, but they can vote in presidential elections when they reside in the U.S. That could have an effect on our future national elections. Perhaps Republicans should consider that because it is likely they will vote for the candidate most concerned with giving welfare to them. I could be wrong about that, but who knows where they stand politically?
      I still worry about the idea of a country hostile to the U.S. moving in and taking over a chaotic country if we don't keep them in some form. A dictatorship or drug lord-run country would be likely. Their residents are quick to consider the U.S. "controlling", but when U.S. territories like them behave irresponsibly and are corrupted yet expect us to pick up their tabs, this country has no choice but to try to control them. If they were a state, they would have to obey our laws and would be subject to U.S. auditing practices and courts. There is no doubt that we have corruption in the U.S., but not on that grand scale.
      I'm not sure where my feelings on statehood for Puerto Rico stand anymore.

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   ahorsebackposted 5 years ago

   Every state , country,  territory , every sovereign nation in the western hemisphere that reaches out to the US for help will eventually get that help .  including legal or illegal immigration from these nations , Somehow the "two party" conscience of America always demands  action , we will pay dearly for the disasters that arise when they do arise , just by humanitarian standards ;  And these corrupted governments know this very well, including Puerto Rico's.

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