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Statehood. I prefer to directly integrate all 5 US territories directly into the US proper. The 1998 referendum was almost evenly split between those who wanted statehood and those who wanted to keep the part colony/part state "Commonwealth/Estado Libre Associado" status.
Only about 5% of the Puerto Rican population wants independence. None of the world's 30 or so remaining colonies desire independence, why should they when they have the best of both worlds?
From what I understand it's not what the rest of the US wants to do with Puerto Rico, but what Puerto Rico wants to do with Puerto Rico. They've held votes many times to see if they should move for independence, statehood, or remain a commonwealth of the US. They've voted mostly to remain a colony because they get a fair few benefits without the drawbacks of being a state.
I'd vote for them to stay where they are, if they want to become a state then that'll happen eventually.
From what I understand it's not what the rest of the US wants to do with Puerto Rico, but what Puerto Rico wants to do with Puerto Rico. They've held votes many times to see if they should move for independence, statehood, or remain a commonwealth of the US. They've voted mostly to remain a colony because they get a fair few benefits without the drawbacks of being a state.
I'd vote for them to stay where they are, if they want to become a state then that'll happen eventually.
While its been sometime since I've talked to a native, my understanding is that most Puerto Ricans want statehood.
The main reason I've heard that they've had issues is that they don't have enough year around residents to apply for full statehood.
From what I understand it's not what the rest of the US wants to do with Puerto Rico, but what Puerto Rico wants to do with Puerto Rico. They've held votes many times to see if they should move for independence, statehood, or remain a commonwealth of the US. They've voted mostly to remain a colony because they get a fair few benefits without the drawbacks of being a state.
I'd vote for them to stay where they are, if they want to become a state then that'll happen eventually.
The US does not have colonies, but the US does have territories. Unlike with colonies, Puerto Ricans were made US citizens. Puerto Ricans also elect their own territorial Governor and created their own constitution (which Congress ratified).
Puerto Rico falls under Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 of the US Constitution:
Quote:
The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.
That puts the disposition of Puerto Rico in the hands of Congress, not in the hands of Puerto Ricans.
The US does not have colonies, but the US does have territories. Unlike with colonies, Puerto Ricans were made US citizens. Puerto Ricans also elect their own territorial Governor and created their own constitution (which Congress ratified).
Puerto Rico falls under Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 of the US Constitution:
That puts the disposition of Puerto Rico in the hands of Congress, not in the hands of Puerto Ricans.
Territory is a PC term for colony ex. the 14 remaining British colonies are now called "British overseas territories" since 2002. They may be self governing to a degree but they are basically colonies in all but name. The difference is that the British are much more "hands on" with theirs than we are with Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the US Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. We basically let them do whatever they please over domestic matters as long as it adheres to the US Constitution. The British colonies still have appointed governors in silly uniforms who have the final say on all government matters despite the local elected legislative bodies.
The US and the UK (aka the British) are the only countries that still have colonies in the traditional sense. France, Denmark, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands have external areas but they have all been directly integrated into the ruling country.
The US does not have colonies, but the US does have territories. Unlike with colonies, Puerto Ricans were made US citizens. Puerto Ricans also elect their own territorial Governor and created their own constitution (which Congress ratified).
Puerto Rico falls under Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 of the US Constitution:
That puts the disposition of Puerto Rico in the hands of Congress, not in the hands of Puerto Ricans.
My bad. I didn't mean to address Puerto Rico as a colony, I really did mean to say "territory"
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