Puerto Rico Statehood

[Postauthoritarian America]

And what about citizenship? Would you grant current US citizens born in PR an second citizenship (ie a privilege most US citizens don't have). Or would you extinguish their US citizenship (making 5 million PR's stateside into legal residents at best). Or make them individually choose one of the citizenships (extinguishing the stateside US citizens' right-of-return to PR).

Or something else you thought of?

Out of those the last one makes the most sense to me honestly. Those who want to stay in the US permanently can choose the be American citizens, the rest can go back to PR.

No reason they can't be citizens of both the US and a newly-independent PR, absent some legal bar to dual citizenship; the US has none. If for no other reason than it's generally a bad idea to make anyone stateless, my working assumption would be that Puerto Ricans with US citizenship wouldn't lose it simply because PR acquired its own national government. I'll admit I have no idea what the experience of other newly-independent colonies has been.

Edit: it turns out Puerto Rico has its own citizenship, somewhat different from the US citizenship Puerto Ricans also enjoy. For example, PR citizens have certain privileges under Spanish law; also, attempts by Puerto Ricans to renounce their US citizenship while retaining their Puerto Rican citizenship and continuing to reside in Puerto Rico have been denied.

[Postauthoritarian America]

It should be an independent country. Puertorican are unfortunately easily invited by the Democrats to hate Whites.

I've been acquainted with several Puerto Ricans. None of them in my experience has hated me or any other white person, at least not just for being white.

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

We strongly agree.

GMS.

Whoa whoa whoa whoa. You think PR should have independence?

Not really an uncommon idea, actually. It’s often discussed during Latin American summits. In fact, PR’s status is often a key topic of discussion in such summits. Many Latin American nations find it dismaying that PR is considered little more than a colony and want the Island to decide. Either it’s incorporated as a state or is given full independence.

[Evacillian]

Usually, the voter turnout on the topic is dismal, and 'remain as a territory' is usually the most popular choice. However, in an interesting turn of events, the 2020 vote took away the 'remain as a territory' option, and the voter turnout rate skyrocketed to around 55%. That compares with the Average American voter turnout rate which is roughly the same.
So, while this bodes well for residents who wish for PR to join the Union, the lack of 'remain as a territory' may be the reason the results are as they are.
I would want to have another vote, but the whole statehood, remain as territory, or become independent vote has been overdone at this point.
I say, obviously, those who wished for PR to remain as a territory probably voted for PR to become a state as the 2nd best option. Therefore, accept Puerto Rico to become the 51st state of America(a ghastly number but what can you do)- but leave Washington DC out of this. The capital should not become part of or be enveloped by a state.

[Postauthoritarian America]

Usually, the voter turnout on the topic is dismal, and 'remain as a territory' is usually the most popular choice. However, in an interesting turn of events, the 2020 vote took away the 'remain as a territory' option, and the voter turnout rate skyrocketed to around 55%. That compares with the Average American voter turnout rate which is roughly the same.
So, while this bodes well for residents who wish for PR to join the Union, the lack of 'remain as a territory' may be the reason the results are as they are.
I would want to have another vote, but the whole statehood, remain as territory, or become independent vote has been overdone at this point.
I say, obviously, those who wished for PR to remain as a territory probably voted for PR to become a state as the 2nd best option. Therefore, accept Puerto Rico to become the 51st state of America(a ghastly number but what can you do)- but leave Washington DC out of this. The capital should not become part of or be enveloped by a state.

We can get to 52 by making DC a state as well, then we can sell souvenier packs of cards with the 52 states on them. Or we could just replace the Dakotas (why are there two?) with PR and DC and stay at 50. Coin flip imo.

[Atheris]

Usually, the voter turnout on the topic is dismal, and 'remain as a territory' is usually the most popular choice. However, in an interesting turn of events, the 2020 vote took away the 'remain as a territory' option, and the voter turnout rate skyrocketed to around 55%. That compares with the Average American voter turnout rate which is roughly the same.
So, while this bodes well for residents who wish for PR to join the Union, the lack of 'remain as a territory' may be the reason the results are as they are.
I would want to have another vote, but the whole statehood, remain as territory, or become independent vote has been overdone at this point.
I say, obviously, those who wished for PR to remain as a territory probably voted for PR to become a state as the 2nd best option. Therefore, accept Puerto Rico to become the 51st state of America(a ghastly number but what can you do)- but leave Washington DC out of this. The capital should not become part of or be enveloped by a state.

We can get to 52 by making DC a state as well, then we can sell souvenier packs of cards with the 52 states on them. Or we could just replace the Dakotas (why are there two?) with PR and DC and stay at 50. Coin flip imo.

There are two Dakotas because they couldn't decide on a capital for the Dakota territory.

[Shrillland]

We can get to 52 by making DC a state as well, then we can sell souvenier packs of cards with the 52 states on them. Or we could just replace the Dakotas (why are there two?) with PR and DC and stay at 50. Coin flip imo.

There are two Dakotas because they couldn't decide on a capital for the Dakota territory.

This. The northern and southern population centres wanted it for themselves, and since they couldn't agree, and more importantly since there wasn't any suitable compromise location between them, the federal government just decided to split the territory in two.

[A-Series-Of-Tubes]

Usually, the voter turnout on the topic is dismal, and 'remain as a territory' is usually the most popular choice. However, in an interesting turn of events, the 2020 vote took away the 'remain as a territory' option, and the voter turnout rate skyrocketed to around 55%. That compares with the Average American voter turnout rate which is roughly the same.
So, while this bodes well for residents who wish for PR to join the Union, the lack of 'remain as a territory' may be the reason the results are as they are.
I would want to have another vote, but the whole statehood, remain as territory, or become independent vote has been overdone at this point.
I say, obviously, those who wished for PR to remain as a territory probably voted for PR to become a state as the 2nd best option. Therefore, accept Puerto Rico to become the 51st state of America(a ghastly number but what can you do)- but leave Washington DC out of this. The capital should not become part of or be enveloped by a state.

We can get to 52 by making DC a state as well, then we can sell souvenier packs of cards with the 52 states on them. Or we could just replace the Dakotas (why are there two?) with PR and DC and stay at 50. Coin flip imo.

You can't sell a pack of cards with only 52 cards. You need two Jokers. And a blank card to write on in case you lose one.

That's 55.

The existing 50. The new Pacific Island State. Puerto Rico + Virgins. Washy DC. That's 53.

I offer Tasmania. Amazing forests. Hydro power out the wazoo. People ... some people, I must admit. But they're most white so they'll integrate just fine.

One more ... an island please ...

[-Palestine-]

We can get to 52 by making DC a state as well, then we can sell souvenier packs of cards with the 52 states on them. Or we could just replace the Dakotas (why are there two?) with PR and DC and stay at 50. Coin flip imo.

You can't sell a pack of cards with only 52 cards. You need two Jokers. And a blank card to write on in case you lose one.

That's 55.

The existing 50. The new Pacific Island State. Puerto Rico + Virgins. Washy DC. That's 53.

I offer Tasmania. Amazing forests. Hydro power out the wazoo. People ... some people, I must admit. But they're most white so they'll integrate just fine.

One more ... an island please ...

As a representative of the Australian people... we’d like to reject your request in purchasing the island of Tasmania, that is firmly part of the Commonwealth of Australia... We’d like to offer you to look somewhere else.

What about the U.S. Virgin Islands? It’d be interesting whether the U.S. would’ve purchased the island of Taiwan back in 1880s... But hey, that’s for another topic... as for Peurto Rico... I’m quite unsure whether they should remain: as a territory, become a state, or gain independence.

I’d like to think that gaining an independence is near probable due to sheer size of reconstruction and the process it will need to do so... I believe by becoming a state, it’d be more feasible option.

[A-Series-Of-Tubes]

You can't sell a pack of cards with only 52 cards. You need two Jokers. And a blank card to write on in case you lose one.

That's 55.

The existing 50. The new Pacific Island State. Puerto Rico + Virgins. Washy DC. That's 53.

I offer Tasmania. Amazing forests. Hydro power out the wazoo. People ... some people, I must admit. But they're most white so they'll integrate just fine.

One more ... an island please ...

As a representative of the Australian people... we’d like to reject your request in purchasing the island of Tasmania, that is firmly part of the Commonwealth of Australia... We’d like to offer you to look somewhere else.

"Firmly part of the Commonwealth of Australia" yet when I look at a map it appears to be an island. Do you have some explanation for that?

Perhaps you're speaking politically. In which case I will point out that Australia's three most populous states would gain enormously from losing the runt the secession of Tasmania, as their Senators would hold a near majority. Which considering those three states have 80% of the population, is at least a bit fair.

The vital role Tasmania has played in the history of the Commonwealth ... actually I won't go into that, considering my intention to spruik Tassie to the Americans.

What about the U.S. Virgin Islands? It’d be interesting whether the U.S. would’ve purchased the island of Taiwan back in 1880s... But hey, that’s for another topic... as for Peurto Rico... I’m quite unsure whether they should remain: as a territory, become a state, or gain independence.

I’d like to think that gaining an independence is near probable due to sheer size of reconstruction and the process it will need to do so... I believe by becoming a state, it’d be more feasible option.

Puerto Rico? Certainly. They have enough population to fit somewhere in the lower half of states, and besides the fact that previous agrarian potential largely drove the population of US states, I think the modern trend is population moving to where it's nice. (Exact definition of nice being contentious: previously cities, now suburbs, but maybe spreading back out). Puerto Rico is nice, maybe a bit hot and muggy some times of year, but they have agrarian land and could pull their weight in that regard. If they were already a state, their maritime zone and population would rank them above 25 I am sure.

But Tassie is quite nice too. Huge maritime resources, if their claim down to Antarctica were to be separated from the Commonwealth of Australia's. I mentioned the hydro power, but imagine how much more they could have with proper State's Rights as part of the US.

Don't make me mention the oil. Tasmania sells itself, with or without oil ...

[The South Appalachian Region]

It should be an independent country. Puertorican are unfortunately easily invited by the Democrats to hate Whites.

I've been acquainted with several Puerto Ricans. None of them in my experience has hated me or any other white person, at least not just for being white.

My experience of Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico is that hes right, they're extremely racist.

People like to say the Deep South is racist (wrong) but we've got nothing on them. Never been to a place where I've been called simultaneously "chink" and "gringo", been given dirty looks for speaking English.. don't stop with whites and Asians, they say the N word so much you'd think it was the 40s. I've heard em say they hate Americans quite a bit too.

Definitely a place I don't want to return to.

[Salus Maior]

I've been acquainted with several Puerto Ricans. None of them in my experience has hated me or any other white person, at least not just for being white.

My experience of Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico is that hes right, they're extremely racist.

People like to say the Deep South is racist (wrong) but we've got nothing on them. Never been to a place where I've been called simultaneously "chink" and "gringo", been given dirty looks for speaking English.. don't stop with whites and Asians, they say the N word so much you'd think it was the 40s. I've heard em say they hate Americans quite a bit too.

Definitely a place I don't want to return to.

I mean, anecdotes are anecdotes.

Sure, that might have been your experience. But t hat's not exactly a comprehensive survey on how the population feels. Same with the guy who had a good experience in Puerto Rico.

[The South Appalachian Region]

I think people who visit the capital where they're used to tourists probably have a different experience to people who visit other towns and cities.

I was in the Rincon area, other guy probably was in San Juan if I had to guess. San Juan is more Americanized, the rest might as well be Costa Rica or something.

The fact that they often say they hate Americans is pretty worrying honestly if we're to make them a state, anyways.

[Salus Maior]

I think people who visit the capital where they're used to tourists probably have a different experience to people who visit other towns and cities.

I was in the Rincon area, other guy probably was in San Juan if I had to guess. San Juan is more Americanized, the rest might as well be Costa Rica or something.

The fact that they often say they hate Americans is pretty worrying honestly if we're to make them a state, anyways.

We have plenty of people here already who say they hate America.

I mean, if they're voting by majority to become a state, I imagine their supposed hate is overexaggerated.

[A-Series-Of-Tubes]

The fact that they often say they hate Americans is pretty worrying honestly if we're to make them a state, anyways.

Bear in mind a sizeable number of Puerto Ricans who loved America so much they moved there. Also that those migrants left behind their share of Puerto Rico's debt. Which is owed mostly to American banks.

[Unstoppable Empire of Doom]

States are always admitted in pairs, one left, one right, usually with similar populations so as not to upset the congressional balance. Neither Republicans nor Democrats currently seem interested.

IMO admit them both.

[Greater Kopmakia]

Washington D.C and Puerto Rico should be US states.

DC is a federal territory for a reason.

[Kedri]

Given the way that "democracy" works in the US, it's disgusting that Puerto Rico, Washington DC, American Samoa and the rest aren't states or aren't part of states.

In American Samoa's case, they don't want to be a state, but don't want independence, either. They have a more traditional society, and some things they do wouldn't fly if they were a state. However, independence would mean they would no longer have some of the benefits of being a US territory.

[Shrillland]

Washington D.C and Puerto Rico should be US states.

DC is a federal territory for a reason.

Was a federal territory for a reason. A reason that, if DC were to be its own state, would not be compromised.

[Arisyan]

Washington D.C and Puerto Rico should be US states.

DC is a federal territory for a reason.

Actually, many federal countries have their capitals be their own states. Mexico, South Africa, Russia, Brazil, Nigeria, etc.

[Kedri]

DC is a federal territory for a reason.

Was a federal territory for a reason. A reason that, if DC were to be its own state, would not be compromised.

We could have the residential parts of D.C. join Maryland or Virginia, while the federal parts remain its own thing.

[Greater Kopmakia]

DC is a federal territory for a reason.

Was a federal territory for a reason. A reason that, if DC were to be its own state, would not be compromised.

One of the big reasons they decided not to have DC be a state was because they didn't want a single state to have so much power. Giving a state authority over the capital city itself sounds like it violates that reason.

[Shrillland]

Was a federal territory for a reason. A reason that, if DC were to be its own state, would not be compromised.

One of the big reasons they decided not to have DC be a state was because they didn't want a single state to have so much power. Giving a state authority over the capital city itself sounds like it violates that reason.

No, they didn't want DC to be just a city in one of the states. If DC were its own city-state, with most of the essential governing buildings removed into a new federal district as is the plan, there would be no trouble.

[Greater Cesnica]

Making them a state ultimately gives the people more power. So I support it.

[Australian rePublic]

I'd focus on making American Samoans citizenship first, but yes, PR should be a state. DC shouldn't be a state, as it's a conflict of interests to locate the capital in a state, but they should be given far more rights