Puerto Rico Statehood

[Andsed]

I believe in the recent referendum the pro statehood side won. In that cases we should make Puerto Rico a state. Or let it go and let them out of the limbo then currently trapped in.

[A-Series-Of-Tubes]

I believe in the recent referendum the pro statehood side won. In that cases we should make Puerto Rico a state. Or let it go and let them out of the limbo then currently trapped in.

Statehood won 52%/47% (in 2020). It's hard to say that's a shift of opinion though, because the previous "referenda" tended to have more than two options. You really can't do that, it has to be a simple question with a Yes/No answer.

Particularly since turnout is never high, I'd like to see a more decisive result.

The cynical but smart approach by mainland Dems would be to further reduce the tax benefits Puerto Rico gets. The less attractive the status quo is, the more PR's will polarize to Statehood/Independence. Even if that split evenly, Statehood would go up over 60% and it would be hard for Congress to ignore. Even an increase in the Independence vote would serve as a threat to the status quo'ers in Congress who have no interest in the people there, just like the US having territory.

[A-Series-Of-Tubes]

Oh another thing. If the President proposes it and Congress agrees, the next step would be a binding referendum in PR. That would have higher turnout and not be predictable, hence why it would be good to have a decent margin (more than 2%) in a non-binding referendum.

[Shrillland]

Oh another thing. If the President proposes it and Congress agrees, the next step would be a binding referendum in PR. That would have higher turnout and not be predictable, hence why it would be good to have a decent margin (more than 2%) in a non-binding referendum.

No such thing as a binding referendum. Only Congress gets to decide who becomes a state. The actual next step, following the normal procedure, is that Congress passes a Territorial Enabling Act that enables PR to draft a proper state constitution. It goes to Congress, Congress approves it and votes to make PR a state.

[Major-Tom]

I've been to Puerto Rico and it was completely unlike (The United States of) America in every possible, concievable way. It didn't feel like the US at all and as an American I felt very much like an alien. Completely different culture, different language (most of them don't speak English and nothing is written in English outside of San Juan, was very hard to get around without an interpreter). Hell they even use the Metric system!

For the cultural reasons alone I say no to PR statehood. They're just too different from us and do not assimilate well (look at certain parts of NYC...)
For what it's worth, I met a few people there who also opposed statehood and were native Puerto Ricans. They wanted independence.

Although on the flip side, they'd probably have better infrastructure if they were a state. The electricity hardly works there most of the time. Spending time there made me glad to be an American and grateful that at least I have running water and electricity.

Well, you kind of just summed up why they should be a state, then. You're grateful to be an American and to have water and electricity. They are full American citizens as well, but many of them lack a lot of things you and I take for granted (not all, certainly, but there are many dirt poor parts of San Juan and Bayamon).

I'd posit that if they became a state, assimilation would kind of be inevitable. Before I moved away years ago, I lived on the East Coast as well, and the Puerto Ricans I knew seemed to be pretty well integrated. They had their cultural traditions and heritage but still spoke great English. Isn't that all we should be asking for? Why not let them keep their cultural heritage?

[Shrillland]

I've been to Puerto Rico and it was completely unlike (The United States of) America in every possible, concievable way. It didn't feel like the US at all and as an American I felt very much like an alien. Completely different culture, different language (most of them don't speak English and nothing is written in English outside of San Juan, was very hard to get around without an interpreter). Hell they even use the Metric system!

For the cultural reasons alone I say no to PR statehood. They're just too different from us and do not assimilate well (look at certain parts of NYC...)
For what it's worth, I met a few people there who also opposed statehood and were native Puerto Ricans. They wanted independence.

Although on the flip side, they'd probably have better infrastructure if they were a state. The electricity hardly works there most of the time. Spending time there made me glad to be an American and grateful that at least I have running water and electricity.

Well, you kind of just summed up why they should be a state, then. You're grateful to be an American and to have water and electricity. They are full American citizens as well, but many of them lack a lot of things you and I take for granted (not all, certainly, but there are many dirt poor parts of San Juan and Bayamon).

I'd posit that if they became a state, assimilation would kind of be inevitable. Before I moved away years ago, I lived on the East Coast as well, and the Puerto Ricans I knew seemed to be pretty well integrated. They had their cultural traditions and heritage but still spoke great English. Isn't that all we should be asking for? Why not let them keep their cultural heritage?

Moreover, I don't think we need to force them to speak English. We have plenty of other Spanish-speakers already, we should take the opportunity of PR statehood to become a properly bilingual nation.

[Major-Tom]

Well, you kind of just summed up why they should be a state, then. You're grateful to be an American and to have water and electricity. They are full American citizens as well, but many of them lack a lot of things you and I take for granted (not all, certainly, but there are many dirt poor parts of San Juan and Bayamon).

I'd posit that if they became a state, assimilation would kind of be inevitable. Before I moved away years ago, I lived on the East Coast as well, and the Puerto Ricans I knew seemed to be pretty well integrated. They had their cultural traditions and heritage but still spoke great English. Isn't that all we should be asking for? Why not let them keep their cultural heritage?

Moreover, I don't think we need to force them to speak English. We have plenty of other Spanish-speakers already, we should take the opportunity of PR statehood to become a properly bilingual nation.

Agreed, although with statehood will likely come a more bilingual Puerto Rico. The government doesn't have to mandate it, but it would be in the economic interest of both the mainland US and a PR state to encourage it.

[Garkland]

So behind all the Presidential drama of Trump v Biden another vote took place recently and 52.3% of Puerto RIcans voted in favour of asking to change the island’s status from unincorporated territory to U.S. State.
This is the sixth time the PR statehood referendum has occurred, the past two votes being in favour and the 2012 vote being uncertain.

While Puerto Ricans based in America tend to vote Democrat, those on the Island are a lot more conservative and the current representative in Congress is a Republican.

The main Political Parties on the Island are essentially the Pro-Statehood New Progressives, the Pro-Status quo Popular Democrats and a third Pro-Independence party. Notably the Progressives lost support in the recent elections if thats relevant.

But only Congress can admit States to the Union, so the question is should Puerto Rico be admitted as the 51st State of the USA?

I strongly disagree with Puerto Rico becoming a US State. I think Puerto Rico can be an independent nation and belong to all the Hispanic and Latin American economic unions of nations there are. GMS.

The same goes for my native Cuba under a capitalist economy with multi political parties. The same goes for Hispanic and Latin American nations.

I have Cuban and Puerto Rican Friends in Puerto Rico and I have visited Puerto Rico 3 times.

GMS.

PR would never be able to exist and sustain itself as a independent nation. America has abused Puerto Rico and it's citizens, plundered it's people, and drained it's money. I mean America bombed Puerto Rico, so how bad can the mistreatment get? Before the U.S took over, I think PR would have been better off as a independent nation, although with the US screwing things up Statehood would be better now.

[Rusozak]

According to the arguments against statehood, secession movements and cultural differences seem to be a disqualifying factor. If that's the case, can we lop off the whole South and be done with it?

[Arisyan]

You know, this thread would be really great with a poll. Should PR become a state? Yes, no, and independent.

[The Archregimancy]

I see no reason not too, they basically are the unofficial 51st state anyway

Nope, that's Britain.

No, we're the 51st, 52nd, 53rd, and - depending on resolution of the status of Northern Ireland - possibly the 54th.

Statehood for Scotland and Wales alongside England, or I'm voting no.

[Dominioan]

I would say yes, but ruining the flag by adding another star...I'm not sure if its worth it

[Major-Tom]

I would say yes, but ruining the flag by adding another star...I'm not sure if its worth it

Just, like, throw a tasteful palm tree on the flag or something idk.

[Atheris]

I would say yes, but ruining the flag by adding another star...I'm not sure if its worth it

Just, like, throw a tasteful palm tree on the flag or something idk.

Palm Trees ruin American flags. See: South Carolina.

[Borderlands of Rojava]

Would Puerto Rico be the first majority Spanish speaking state? I think it would.

[No State Here]

Would Puerto Rico be the first majority Spanish speaking state? I think it would.

Eh, one could argue that when California became a state, it was also quite Spanish speaking, not necessarily majority, along with the other territories of the Mexican cession

[Insaanistan]

Would Puerto Rico be the first majority Spanish speaking state? I think it would.

California already exists.
(This is a joke, btw.)

[Atheris]

Would Puerto Rico be the first majority Spanish speaking state? I think it would.

When California was first admitted it was primarily Spanish-speaking. It didn't become majority English until around 1870.

[Old Tyrannia]

Puerto Rico should be returned to the Spanish Crown. Given the unlikelihood of that, however, statehood seems like a fair demand.

[Atheris]

Puerto Rico should be returned to the Spanish Crown. Given the unlikelihood of that, however, statehood seems like a fair demand.

Unbased and purplepilled.

[Rio Cana]

I strongly disagree with Puerto Rico becoming a US State. I think Puerto Rico can be an independent nation and belong to all the Hispanic and Latin American economic unions of nations there are. GMS.

The same goes for my native Cuba under a capitalist economy with multi political parties. The same goes for Hispanic and Latin American nations.

I have Cuban and Puerto Rican Friends in Puerto Rico and I have visited Puerto Rico 3 times.

GMS.

PR would never be able to exist and sustain itself as a independent nation. America has abused Puerto Rico and it's citizens, plundered it's people, and drained it's money. I mean America bombed Puerto Rico, so how bad can the mistreatment get? Before the U.S took over, I think PR would have been better off as a independent nation, although with the US screwing things up Statehood would be better now.

If the US did not get anything out of PR. you know that PR. would have been cut loose a long time ago. What the US pours into PR. they get back many times over. That means they can survive if they should decide to became an independent Republic. Think the formula that the people in PR. and US would more likely support is a compact of free association with the US which is what the US has with certain Pacific island nations.

[The Huskar Social Union]

Well it seems most people in Puerto Rico want their home to become a state, might as well get to it.

[Garkland]

PR would never be able to exist and sustain itself as a independent nation. America has abused Puerto Rico and it's citizens, plundered it's people, and drained it's money. I mean America bombed Puerto Rico, so how bad can the mistreatment get? Before the U.S took over, I think PR would have been better off as a independent nation, although with the US screwing things up Statehood would be better now.

If the US did not get anything out of PR. you know that PR. would have been cut loose a long time ago. What the US pours into PR. they get back many times over. If it was just the US pouring money into PR. and not getting much back then you know PR. would have been cut loose a long time ago. That means they can survive if they should decide to became an independent Republic. Think the formula that the people in PR. and US would more likely support is a compact of free association with the US.

that's why PR is so poor, Because America keeps taking so much it can't sustain itself. I recommend not just Puerto Ricans but everybody to read War Against All Puerto Ricans (link to the book here https://waragainstallpuertoricans.com/t ... this%20day.). Being a American citizen by birth, but a person with Puerto Rican blood in me I was disgusted on the terrible things America did to PR... really changes how you look at the US.

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

Problem is that they ran into the same issue as last time with mixing elections with referendum. Not a large turnout for referendum.

Not sure if Congress then would even consider the results of the process. I mean, if in the end Puerto Rico wanted incorporation as a state, it should be at the very least heard and considered.

[Forsher]

Nope, that's Britain.

No, we're the 51st, 52nd, 53rd, and - depending on resolution of the status of Northern Ireland - possibly the 54th.

Statehood for Scotland and Wales alongside England, or I'm voting no.

But, for real, would the Monarch then continue as the Governor?