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Puerto Rico has major economic and social problems, that are getting worse and worse every year. Poverty and Crime is much much higher than any US state. Obviously, Commonwealth status has not worked. A tighter relationship with the US, like statehood, would create a better economy but a vanishing culture. Independence, would preserve a rich culture but about an undecided future.
Me personally, I feel that many Puerto Ricans many not actually want statehood, they just feel dissatisfied with the territory status, and afraid of the uncertainty independence may bring. But I dont think many Puerto Ricans would like the idea of having to give up their culture and identity. Many do got a colonial mindset, and if independence does happen its because of dissatisfaction with the US and no desire to let go of Hispanic identity. I think if independence happens, there would be a 70% chance that they would form another relationship with another country, like annexing itself to Spain as an autonomous region (basically a spanish state), or uniting with another country, particularly Dominican Republic (think Trinidad and Tobago), because of very similar culture, geographic proximity, and having a stronger military & economy than a solely independent Puerto Rico.
So, I'm asking you City-Data users, Puerto Rican, non-PR US citizens, and all other Humans of the world. What do you think is the best option for Puerto Rico and why? Thoughts
Thank you for posting this poll.
I voted "Other."
Maybe it would be best for PR to become a county of Florida and to be declared a Disaster Area (not trying to be funny). In so doing, it could possibly declare itself bankrupt and thus alleviate itself from some of its massive debt.
Other than that, maybe PR could be taken in by a country with money, stature and structure; a country who capable of paying off PR's debt and establishing strict governmental structures to eradicate corruption and foment behaviors conducive to a sound society.
Which countries come to mind? Germany and Iceland. PR could become those countries Caribbean paradises.
Lastly, in the 1800's, Ramón Emeterio Betances once promoted the idea that PR, Cuba and The Dominican Republic form into one nation. That is yet another option.
I prefer statehood. But an independent Puerto Rico is the second option (and only other realistic option). Yes Puerto Rico has its fair share of problems, but it does bring benefits to the US. The Jones Act really hurts their economy and should be ended immediately, it forces all imports and exports to go through a mainland US port. Foreign ships can not unload at Puerto Rican ports and that's ridiculous.
If it is granted statehood their tourism will likely skyrocket and hopefully that will help them improve their infrastructure. Puerto Rico (like most of the Caribbean) is already very Americanized.
People talk like Puerto Rico is some backwater third world country, but it really isn't. They have a higher per capita GDP then any other Latin American country. Grant them statehood and their economy will improve. There is no reason Puerto Rico can't become the Hawaii of the Caribbean.
I prefer statehood. But an independent Puerto Rico is the second option (and only other realistic option). Yes Puerto Rico has its fair share of problems, but it does bring benefits to the US. The Jones Act really hurts their economy and should be ended immediately, it forces all imports and exports to go through a mainland US port. Foreign ships can not unload at Puerto Rican ports and that's ridiculous.
If it is granted statehood their tourism will likely skyrocket and hopefully that will help them improve their infrastructure. Puerto Rico (like most of the Caribbean) is already very Americanized.
People talk like Puerto Rico is some backwater third world country, but it really isn't. They have a higher per capita GDP then any other Latin American country. Grant them statehood and their economy will improve. There is no reason Puerto Rico can't become the Hawaii of the Caribbean.
Thanks for posting your opinion.
I invite you and others to an open/civil discussion (not an argument) regarding this topic.
Questions:
Given the current political climate, is it feasible/fathomable that the US would grant Statehood to PR?
Given that there are no known natural resources in PR, if it were to become an independent country, other than tourism, what would PR's economy be based on?
The problem with Puerto Rico is that they must abide by the same minimum wages as America.So, no American company wants to go over there to pay Puerto Ricans the same as an American worker, thus the lack of jobs.
People talk like Puerto Rico is some backwater third world country, but it really isn't. They have a higher per capita GDP then any other Latin American country. Grant them statehood and their economy will improve. There is no reason Puerto Rico can't become the Hawaii of the Caribbean.
Puerto Rico isn't going to be a state. I suggest that folks look at other options.
No way that the GOP are going to allow what will be a relatively large state to join, given that most of the new seats will be for the Democrats. Despite this I also don't see any evidence that the Dems want to fight for this either. In fact the worse PR is the more will migrate to FL, pushing that state further into the Dem column.
Given that there are no known natural resources in PR, if it were to become an independent country, other than tourism, what would PR's economy be based on?
They'll figure something out. Independence will motivate them as a people.
As long as their on the dole, PR will continue to worsen.
I must say Puerto Rico gettin practically destroyed by Catergory 5 Hurricane maria and the Trump administration not caring and throwing paper towels at people like hes playing hoops at Dave & Busters, made me think about this topic again. Puerto Rico definetly needs a change. Ill give you my opinion.
I personally love Puerto Rico, but I dont like the commonwealth status,Its like we're being used and the only thing we getting in return is military protection.
Im kinda iffy on statehood, we will lose our nationhood and culture almost entirely. I mean I love the US but I also love my Puerto Rican culture. We will become another Hawaii. If you dont know about Hawaii, before it became a state Native Hawaiians were the absolute majority and their culture was really practiced. Now, immigrants from East Asia make up a plurality. Whites, Hispanics, & Blacks also are larger in number than Native Hawaiians who are only like 5% now. And their culture is merely recreational and used for tourist reasons. Im afraid if Puerto Rico becomes a state it will suffer the same fate. I mean now most our immigrants come from Dominican Republic, who have the same culture and ancestry as us so no big deal. But once PR becomes a state, immigration will pick up tremendously, not just from DR, but from Haiti, Cuba, Mexico, Jamaica, Colombia, Central America, the Eastern Caribbean, Africa, & Europe, as well as tons of wealthy White Americans moving in. And PR just had this Catergory 5 Hurricane that practically destroyed the island, excellerating the exodus, so there will be room to grow. Right now Puerto Rico is 95% ethnic Puerto Rican, 50 years after becoming a state it will be 30% Puerto Rican.
As for Independence, it would be cool to see a independent PR, but that shipped has sailed. Right now Puerto Rico is waaaaaay too heavily reliant on the US and most on the island have a colonised mindset, on top of that the Puerto Rican government is very corrupt. To put it bluntly, an independent Puerto Rico would be like a chicken with its head cut off. And many Puerto Ricans who support independence are very socialist/communist, they would try to turn it into Cuba or Venzuela, we dont need that. You think PR is poor now? If it becomes solely independent, theres a high chance it will be much much poorer, a more mulatto/triracial hispanic version of Haiti.
I think Puerto Rico's best bet is to leave the US, BUT later unite with the Dominican Republic, similar to Trinidad & Tobago or England/Scotland. Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic are neighboring islands with almost identical cultures and ancestries, theyre the closest to us culturally and geographically. Everybody thinks DR is super poor but its actually not that poor, i mean ofcoarse its not as rich as the US, but its doing ok. Puerto Rico is only slightly richer, its almost identical despite being a US territory. Dominican Republic would have a much stronger military and exonomy than a solely independent Puerto Rico. DR's economy is growing and PR's declining. And to be honest, many other parts of the US is on the decline, as China is now the new "Head huncho of the world", to top that off many in the US dont even want us aprt of the country or even like us, out of all the Puerto Ricans who died for the US in wars, and the US government continues to do us dirty plenty of times. Now Im not denying the US hasnt done any good for Puerto Rico, cuz they did plenty good but alot more bad. We were like "adopted children they only took care of cuz they had to", our people were treated like lab rats very similar to Black Americans and Native Americans, fertilizing our women, test bombing our islands, and keeping majority of us in poverty, they care far more about our land than our people, before it was becuase of the strategic position of the island straight shot from the Panama Canal but now they just want to turn it into a playground for the rich. Anyway, I think Puerto Rico's best bet is to unite with the Dominican Republic. Anybody got any better ideas???
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