Do U think Puertorico and Mexico should be added as two additional States of USA?

Question

There are so many illegal mexicans and legal Puertoricans in the USA.....why dont we make 51 and 52nd state of USA. Then everybody will stay happily ever after. Geroge Bush and Lou Dobbs of CNN both wll be happy. Peace to you all.

Answer 1

Puerto Rico makes sense because 1) It was ceded to the United States in the Treaty of Paris in 1898, so it's technically American soil anyway, 2) as a commonwealth, Puerto Rico has all the benefits of statehood without the responsibilities, and 3) each vote for statehood has pushed Puerto Rico further toward statehood anyway. But it's not up to Washington to force the issue. Unless an American territory or a foreign "sovereign" nation (in the case of Mexico) votes to become a state, it's not worth it in terms of manpower and resources to force the issue.

Puerto Rico would work as a state, but Mexico wouldn't. Besides becoming the largest state if I remember my geography correctly, Mexico's official title -- United Mexican States -- implies that it would be akin to annexing more than a dozen states at one blow. It's a standing rule to not expand beyond your ability as a nation to defend yourself. A likelier candidate (also ceded to the U.S. under the Treaty of Paris) is Cuba, probably after Fidel's death, due to its proximity and need for ready trade, which won't come without major concessions.

Forget history for a moment and study geography. I'd like to think the United States learned from the Mexican War and Pancho Villa that annexing Mexico would be hazardous at best and disastrous at worst, all "North American Union" talk aside. But the two I've mentioned as prospective states 51 and 52 sound like they make the most sense in like of current geopolitics.

Peace to you too.

Answer 2

Neither has shown interest in doing so. I think I remember a recent referendum in Puerto Rico on the subject, in which the outcome was a narrow victory for the status quo. I am firmly of the belief that Mexicans would be better off if Mexico joined the US, as Mexican administrations of late have been quite inept at dealing with the country's problems. But if they did, then the problems would become the US's problems, and that is a burden I think I'd rather not take on.

Answer 3

Well, PR is a Commonwealth of the USA and are given American citizenship by birth. They don't get to vote for President or Congress, although they have a Resident Commissioner who sits in committee with Representatives and can't vote. They don't pay any federal income taxes but all trade is highly taxed by the U.S. They pay federal and social security taxes but have limited access to the programs. During the last years, there have been referendums where people have to choose whether they want to continue being a Commonwealth, want to become a state or be an independent country. Surprisingly, a large majority of people favor the status quo. PR is a Commonwealth but Mexico is a country.

Answer 4

Puerto Rico has been given the opportunity to become a state. They keep voting not to. This is probably related to the fact they currently have all the benefits, but not all of the responsibilities of US citizens. As for Mexico, the changes in government that would be required to be accepted are not acceptable to the Mexican people.

Answer 5

The Puerto Ricans have voted to NOT become a state. Mexico is a country, not a territory of the US, it can not be switched over to become a state.

Answer 6

Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States. Last I heard they had rejected becoming the 51st state. We do not want Mexico they are too poor most of them are coming here anyway.

Answer 7

that is a great ideal,or perhaps let the puertoricans be just that.iam a native of anasco puerto rico and of course i will defend this great nation of many races.and of course iam a proud puerto rican too.

Answer 8

I would say no to Mexico... yes to the brilliant puerto ricans who seized an oppurtunity that Mexicans were too stupid to recognize [since they believe that they work jobs that not even Blacks (Americans) will work]...!

Answer 9

Good idea to strengthen the military force of the USA.

Answer 10

that wouldn't work at all. not every country wants to be a part of the u.s. if that possible why have different cultures, religious colors,etc... it like saying why don't everybody just take the " u.s" cultures. god wouldn't create us differently if he wants everyone to be the same...