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Really, they have the best of both worlds right now. Statehood would not be in their best interests. They need to fix up their education, promote business growth, entice investment from the mainland, and grow their tax revenue.
When PR is a rich territory that is contributing, that is a desirable low-cost place to live, and that is pro-business, then it will be more favorably viewed as a potential state.
If you've never been there, Puerto Ricans are nice people. Let's not trash them. It's just that their government is a bit of a basket case.
As a US territory they are subject to US laws which they have no say in the matter. As mentioned before even DC has a vote in Congress (House) and electorally while Puerto Rico does not.
If a people want to join their country to ours, forego independence and live under our laws you would think we would be flattered rather than pissed. If Puerto Rico votes for statehood I say welcome to the show, glad to have you along for the ride. If they vote for independence I say best of luck to you, health and happiness, we'll even visit to help you keep the party going.
But...
That should be the real choice, statehood or independence. No third choice. No cop out 'we want what you have but on our terms' nonsense as all of the prior referendums have had.
You got it backwards, it's been american companies mooching off of Puerto Rico via tax loopholes made by Strom Thurmond.
You have it just the opposite - the tax loopholes BENIFITED Puerto Rico by bringing in corporations along with it's jobs, infrastructure, and local spending. These policies didn't "mooch off" PR, in contrast it subsidized it and kept it afloat. This is supported by your own link you provided earlier.
In the 1990s these tax loopholes were phased out over a 20 years span since, rightfully so, we couldn't let PR mooch off the US forever (although it continues to be the "roach motel" of American taxpayer money - funds go in but don't go out). Corporations left, but PR had 20 years to prepare and develop it's economy and infrastructure.
They did not use that time wisely.
There are serious problems in the government structure of PR - mismanagement, corruption, inefficiency, and incompetence. It operates like a 3rd world country - taxes are not collected, bills are not paid, they complete fiscal plans a year late, the government had to sell the international airport because they couldn't pay to keep the light on. It's just sad.
If a people want to join their country to ours, forego independence and live under our laws you would think we would be flattered rather than pissed. If Puerto Rico votes for statehood I say welcome to the show, glad to have you along for the ride. If they vote for independence I say best of luck to you, health and happiness, we'll even visit to help you keep the party going.
But...
That should be the real choice, statehood or independence. No third choice. No cop out 'we want what you have but on our terms' nonsense as all of the prior referendums have had.
Dude, what world do you live in?
The people who voted for statehood just want Puerto Rico to be bailed out of their economic mess. But in order to get, you have to give. So no, it will have to be on our terms because we have enough problems in this country without adding to them. The Congress has already started working towards a potential solution to the PR economic problems. If they can use that to fix their issues, then maybe we might consider accepting them. But otherwise, they don't bring anything to the table that we don't already have.
I think most Puerto Ricans do want to become full fledged American citizens and part of the United States of America. If they want that, than the opportunity should be extended. If they can't or won't meet the conditions it may be time for a discussion about granting them independence.
they are full us citizens, they have to be in the US to get all the rights because the island itself is not part of the US.
like how americans do not enjoy all the rights of the US while they live in another countey because they have to follow the laws there first. IE, 2nd ammendment does not follow the citizen when they leave country
In answer to the anticipated question, yes, if a majority of Puerto Ricans vote to become a state I would support that. There are all kinds of reasons for people here to oppose that, but since the United States irrevocably altered their status, including all kinds of structural socioeconomic factors, by conquering the island I don't think we have the moral standing to refuse a request for statehood.
I think most Puerto Ricans do want to become full fledged American citizens and part of the United States of America. If they want that, than the opportunity should be extended. If they can't or won't meet the conditions it may be time for a discussion about granting them independence.
The citizens of Puerto Rico are American Citizens as well as being granted Spanish citizenship by virtue of their Puerto Rican citizenship.
Puerto Rican citizenship
Puerto Rican citizenship was first legislated by the United States Congress in Article 7 of the Foraker Act of 1900 and later recognized in the Constitution of Puerto Rico. Puerto Rican citizenship existed before the U.S. takeover of the islands of Puerto Rico and continued afterwards. Its affirmative standing was also recognized before and after the creation of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in 1952. Puerto Rican citizenship was recognized by the United States Congress in the early twentieth century and continues unchanged after the creation of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The United States government also continues to recognize a Puerto Rican nationality. Puerto Rican citizenship is also recognized by the Spanish Government, which recognizes Puerto Ricans as a people with Puerto Rican, and not "American" citizenship. It also grants Spanish citizenship to Puerto Ricans on the basis of their Puerto Rican, not American, citizenship.
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