http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/Latin-America-Monitor/2012/1108/Does-Puerto-Rico-really-want-to-become-the-51st-US-state
On the first of two ballot questions yesterday, 54 percent voted to change its current status from a United States commonwealth. The problem is that those 54 percent are divided among statehood, independence, and a third option. Those who want statehood and those who want independence are on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to Puerto Rico's sovereignty, yet both vote "yes" when asked to change the current status.
On the second question about what alternative should be chosen, 61 percent chose statehood, 33 percent chose "sovereign free association" and 6 percent chose independence.
...but based on recent development and problems that stem from us not confirming statehood.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/26/puerto-rico-debt-crisis_n_4862032.html
Puerto Rico's debt crisis results from the island's status as a United States territory lacking the benefits of statehood, according to Puerto Rico's representative in Congress.
"I'd say that this debt that has piled up for decades in Puerto Rico is directly related to our status," Pedro Pierluisi said on Huffpost Live Wednesday, arguing for a fundamental policy shift. “We're talking about two or three billion dollars that we're losing every year because of our territorial status.”
The island has been a U.S. territory for 115 years, and its people have been U.S. citizens since 1917. Still, Puerto Ricans cannot vote in U.S. presidential elections, have no representation in the Senate and only limited representation in the House of Representatives. More than 10,000 Puerto Ricans are active-duty members of the U.S. military, and the island is home to more than 120,000 veterans. Although Pierluisi has a seat in Congress, he can't vote on legislation, much like Eleanor Holmes Norton, the District of Columbia delegate.
"When you look at our status, the main economic development strategy was to give tax breaks to companies doing business in Puerto Rico," Pierluisi said. "On the one hand, what we did was benefit from that strategy. But that got old. On the other side of the equation, Puerto Rico is not fully funded in many federal programs."
So, in light of their disadvantages as a territory, should the US grant statehood to Puerto Rico?
I would say yes, especially in light of these disadvantages. The only qualifier I would put on that is that I think there should be one more referendum just to be more sure.
So, NSG, should the US grant statehood to Puerto Rico?
