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Do you think Puerto Rico should be allowed to vote for it's Independence? Think any remaining US territories should have an option vote for Independence or become a US State.
What's your thoughts?
I believe they have voted NO SEVERAL times.
I have been to PR several times and as an American I wish they WOULD vote for independence and quit sucking from the rest of us taxpayers.
I agree with all but Hawaii - as they have official statehood status. But all territories/commonwealths should have that right. That being said, economically and financially, it wouldn't make sense for them to sever ties to the most financial/politically stable country in the world.
"But all territories/commonwealths should have that right."
What are the perceived benefits to Puerto Rico? What are the perceived benefits for the USA? We know their economy is in the crapper, the per capita income is low, so how would PR statehood benefit us?
For those Puerto Ricans who are in favor of statehood, why? I was just there, and the people seem healthy and happy the way things are. As messed up as they are politically and economically, at least they get left alone and not dictated to by the US government.
"at least they get left alone and not dictated to by the US government."
The get billions in U.S tax dollars so they should be "dictated" just as any state.
All U.S. territories or Commonwealths ....plus Hawaii, should have every right to go their own way.
I agree with this but as far as voting to become a state, unless invited to do so, I would say no. As we know Puerto Rico has gotten themselves in a financial bind and I don't want to take on anymore financial burden which is what I suppose we would be doing. We need to bail out what we are working with now.
I agree with all but Hawaii - as they have official statehood status. But all territories/commonwealths should have that right. That being said, economically and financially, it wouldn't make sense for them to sever ties to the most financial/politically stable country in the world.
OK...we disagree on Hawaii.
But we aren't the most financial/politically stable country in the world. Our government is totally dysfunctional and we're basically broke. There are lots of good reasons for them to go their own way. But i do agree with you that they're in no position RIGHT NOW to strike out on their own.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gentlearts
What are the perceived benefits to Puerto Rico? What are the perceived benefits for the USA? We know their economy is in the crapper, the per capita income is low, so how would PR statehood benefit us?
For those Puerto Ricans who are in favor of statehood, why? I was just there, and the people seem healthy and happy the way things are. As messed up as they are politically and economically, at least they get left alone and not dictated to by the US government.
Well, i believe in that "poop or get off the pot" principle. They're U.S. citizens, and as such they need to grab oars and start rowing like the rest of us. This territory/commonwealth stuff is far too nebulous of a status for my taste.
For me, it's become a state or go out on your own. It's been more than a century now. Puerto Ricans have fought for this country and have earned their right to statehood as far as i'm concerned. Or perhaps we can join the country to the state of Florida.
Quote:
Originally Posted by r small
Puerto Rico needs the U.S. more than the U.S. needs Puerto Rico.
Is that basis of how we should treat American citizens? They never asked to join us. We wrestled it away from the Spanish. Obviously, we saw some value in having the territory under our aegis at the time. So why scream about how they need us so badly when the relationship started out on the premise that we NEEDED THEM?
That comes off as mean spirited. This isn't the Taliban...these are our fellow citizens.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Quick Enough
I believe they have voted NO SEVERAL times.
I have been to PR several times and as an American I wish they WOULD vote for independence and quit sucking from the rest of us taxpayers.
Well, i'm not gonna go along with the "sucking" comment, but i agree with your overall sentiment.
Look, they're an island with limited resources. What do you expect them to do financially? There's only so much room for growth. You think West Indians would live in this country if they had a choice? LMAO...no way. They'd stay on those nice, warm beautiful islands. They come here because on islands, opportunities are limited. It's tough to make a living.
Hell, in Puerto Rico, a job with the Post Office is damn near like being a lawyer. It's THAT tight.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AnywhereElse
I agree with this but as far as voting to become a state, unless invited to do so, I would say no. As we know Puerto Rico has gotten themselves in a financial bind and I don't want to take on anymore financial burden which is what I suppose we would be doing. We need to bail out what we are working with now.
I think it is fine if they want to be independent. I would agree to cut them all loose!
You're already taking on the financial burden. We're still responsible for the island. That's why we need to end this vague ass relationship and bring Puerto Rico into the family of states where they become full participatory citizens.
I agree with this but as far as voting to become a state, unless invited to do so, I would say no. As we know Puerto Rico has gotten themselves in a financial bind and I don't want to take on anymore financial burden which is what I suppose we would be doing. We need to bail out what we are working with now.
I think it is fine if they want to be independent. I would agree to cut them all loose!
I would rather see our dollars helping a Commonwealth of the United States rather then some third world whatever who would just a soon kill us after they take our money.
As I said somewhere else, I just got to spend some time there as more than just a tourist. Even though they are considered Americans, the PR culture is their own and the language is Spanish. This is not a culture that would assimilate into the USA, any more than making France a state or Mexico a state would be.
The Puerto Ricans have their own way of doing things. To us, their political system is totally f***ed. If they became a state, would they be required to have a few manageable political boundaries, or would they be able to keep things the way they are?
My feeling is the mainland has enough to worry about without trying to change PR, which manages to chug along just fine. Maybe we'd just spoil it.
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