What do you think about Puerto Rico?

Question

Puerto Rico is having a referendum on voting for statehood this week, I believe on Saturday. If they approve it, and there for get 2 Senators and at least 1 Representative, what will happen with DC? DC will have to be included because it would be dumb to give an island representation and not the capital.

By the way, I saw this on Fox News and CNN.

Answer 1

First of all there will be there no referendum this week or next week or anytime soon. There has simply been talk about who can vote in a referendum once approved by Congress. Some politicians want to include Puerto Ricans living on the mainland, while others don't.

Second, Congress is the only one that can admit a state. A popular vote doesn't mean Puerto Rico will become a state. Say for example, Haiti voted this very night in favor of joining the U.S. as a state, it can conduct such a vote, but since Congress has consent of the people, they are the only body that can admit a new state. Therefore, Haiti will remain independent and U.S. will not recognize any statehood claims So if the majority of Puerto Ricans vote for statehood and Congress say no, then no it will not be granted statehood. No = No. Plain and simple.


First they would have to have an overwhelming plural majority (like 80% in favor of statehood) before Congress acts on such a request. Second, there will have to be a first to decide between the two permanent options, which are statehood or independence. The older generation (pre 1960) prefer statehood, especially the elderly who live off social programs such as Social Security and Medicare. Their generation is dying and there has been a great void in the statehood party for younger party members. The universities are controlled by the Indepedence movement and leftists (this is typical throughout Latin America) and therefore the intellectual elites tend to be Independence followers. The economic elite (merchants, importers, bankers) tend to be statehooders for their interests are at stake if there is a political change for independence.

DC will never become a state also due to the fact that no state can claim the national capital. That is the main reason DC was created: to serve as an autonomous political entity and buffer zone between the North and the South. Also with DC's large African-American population, Southern whites will see a predominately black state as a threat.

Puerto Rico is a Spanish-speaking nation, with a Roman Catholic (not Protestant) majority who has a strong national identity and will not give up vestiges of that even with statehood. It is poorer than Mississippi (the poorest state in the Union). Furthermore, states that will gain seats in the house after the next census will lose their seats in order to give them to Puerto Rico. Seats = Money, and no state is stupid to vote away their seats to a new state.

The Statehood party is very divided in Puerto Rico. The two main leaders at each other's throats to become the sole voice of the movement. A divided house will not stand and with their tactics in scaring the poorly educated populations with the removal of benefits if it doesn't become a state and trying to force statehood down the throats of all Puerto Ricans, their days are numbered.

The U.S. will grant independence one way or another. Either full independence of Free Associated Republic (such as former colonies Micronesia, Marshall Islands, and Palau). There really is no other way the U.S. will go on this dilmena.

Answer 2

Great island. the best with living standards over all the Caribbean, from Mexico to Argentina. Its political status is old, but i think its the best that has been for PR. ever. big criminality, but is between drug dealers. People are friendly, open. not too much poverty. People say its a colony of USA, so what, as long as they live well. People cant believe that USA has not taken so much from Puerto Rico. They have given a lot too. If USA wanted, they would throw P:R: in the trash can.
A referendum, so... as i said before, stay as you are, because to be a state, all USA has to have a referendum also, and they can send us to the trash can. be careful

Answer 3

Yeah the Island vote would just say if the US wants us as a state we will accept it is up to Washington to decide if they want Puerto Rico as a state in the Union.

Answer 4

Puerto Rico is already a defacto state. So it is about time it becomes official. It is apart of the United States charter to give access to allow additional states.

Answer 5

why would that want that the get everything now Oh the would be able to vote for present it that what they want good for them.

Answer 6

I find you Q difficult to understand.

Answer 7

There is a reason why DC has remained a federal district for a few hundred of years... and it isn't "dumb".

To Luis, here is a fact that you might find it interesting:"That Puerto Rico ranks 6th in the world when it comes to college graduates?"

Other facts about this great island:

Did You Know - Puerto Rico is a list that contains interesting but little known facts about Puerto Rico and its people.

That the first shot fired by the United States in World War I was in Puerto Rico and not in Europe? It was fired by Lt. Teofilo Marxuach.
That the first opera in history to be recorded was Pagliacci by Ruggiero Leoncavallo and that the recording was made by tenor Antonio Paoli in 1907?
That Puerto Rico once had declared a President? His name was Francisco Ramirez Medina Medina who participated in "El Grito de Lares" was named President of the "Republic of Puerto Rico" on September 28, 1868.
That the largest single-aperture telescope ever to be constructed is the Arecibo Observatory located near the city by the same name in Puerto Rico?
That Major General Luis R. Esteves, the first Puerto Rican to graduate from West Point, graduated first in his class, a class that included Dwight D. Eisenhower and Omar Bradley?
That Puerto Ricans fought alongside the Continental Army during the American Revolution, under the command of General Bernardo de Gálvez?
That "Why Do Fools Fall in Love", considered one of the greatest Rock and Roll songs, was written by Herman Santiago?
That along with Generals Eisenhower, Bradley, Patton and MacArthur, Lt. General Pedro del Valle played an important role during World War II?
That the Father of Black History was Arturo Schomburg?
That Café Rico is the Official Coffee of the Vatican?
That Telemundo, the second largest Spanish language television station in the United States, was founded by Angel Ramos in Puerto Rico?
That the island of Puerto Rico was originally christened as San Juan Bautista (St. John the Baptist), whose capital was called Puerto Rico? That over the years, the names of the island and the capital were exchanged, and San Juan Bautista became the name of the capital while Puerto Rico became the name of the island?
That the Commander of the Cuban Liberation Army, General Juan Rius Rivera, was a Puerto Rican who also participated in the Grito de Lares revolt?
That the 65th Infantry Regiment was recognized as a World War II liberating unit by the U.S. Army's Center of Military History and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1994?
That in 1596, Sir Francis Drake, the famed British Admiral who defeated the Spanish Armada, was defeated twice in his attempts to take San Juan and that he died of dysentry while attacking the island?
That the old lighthouse at Isla de Mona was designed by Gustave Eiffel?
That the world famous drink, the Piña Colada was invented in a house on Fortaleza Street in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico and that its main ingredient Coco Lopez was invented by Ramon Lopez Irizarry?
That youngest person ever to have won a world boxing championship is Wilfred Benitez?
That Rafael Hernandez airport in Aguadilla used to be the Ramey Air Force Base and that it has the Caribbean's longest runway?
That John Ruiz, a Puerto Rican, was the first Hispanic world Heavyweight boxing champion?
That Sergeant Alexander Joseph Foley (U.S.M.C.), born in Hackersville, Pa. in 1866 and recipient of the Medal of Honor during the Boxer Rebellion is buried in the island municipality of Culebra?
That the Cathedral of San Juan, Puerto Rico, built in the 1520s, is one of the oldest Cathedrals in the Western Hemisphere, and that it contains the marble tomb of the island's first governor and discoverer of Florida Juan Ponce de León?
That Brigadier General Antonio Valero de Bernabe, who fought against Napoleon Bonaparte in Spain and later for Mexico's independence against Spain, helped liberate South America from Spanish Colonial rule alongside Simon Bolivar?
That Fort San Felipe del Morro was designated a World Heritage Site (a list that includes sites such as the Taj Mahal) by the United Nations in 1983, and a National Historical site by the United States?
That San Juan is the largest home-based cruise port in the world?
That La Fortaleza in San Juan is the oldest executive mansion in the New World?
That the Puerto Rican Coat of Arms is the oldest official national seal still used in the Americas?
That the Camuy River is the third longest underwater river in the world?

Statue of Juan Ponce de LeonThat the bronze statue of Juan Ponce de León in the center of the Plaza de San Juan was made from British cannons captured during Sir Ralph Abercromby's attack in 1797?
That in 2003 José Miguel Agrelot's radio show, Alegre Despertar (Joyful Awakening), held the world's record for the longest running still active radio show, running non-stop for 53 years?
That in 1919, Luisa Capetillo was the first woman to publicly wear pants in Puerto Rico and that she was sent to jail for it?
That the Puerto Rican Spindalis is the national bird of Puerto Rico and often participates in mobbing, a behavior in which it attacks predators to defend hatchlings?
That Puerto Rico ranks 6th in the world when it comes to college graduates?
That Puerto Rico's beaches come in every size, color, and form, from the pure white dunes of Isabela to the black volcanic sands near Punta Santiago?
That Old San Juan has more than four hundred carefully restored 16th and 17th century Spanish colonial buildings?
That the worlds highest concentrations of Bioluminescent waters are in Puerto Rico?
That the medical term "Menuditis", a diagnosis for girls who need medical attention after attending a concert, came about after Menudo (considered as Puerto Rico's most popular boy band) gave a concert?
That Gothic churches are rare in the New World, but that Puerto Rico has two: Porta Coeli, built in 1606 in San German, and Iglesia San Jose, built in the 1530's in Old San Juan?
That El Yunque Rainforest, is the only rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System and that more than a billion gallons of precipitation fall each year?
That the Elfin-woods Warbler, an endemic bird of Puerto Rico first observed in 1968, is the last New World warbler species to be discovered?
That the Plaza Las Americas mall in San Juan is the most profitable mall per square foot in the world?
That the busiest and highest grossing Radio Shack store in the world is in Puerto Rico, located in the Plaza Las Americas mall?
That the biggest JC Penney in the world is located in Plaza Las Americas mall in Puerto Rico?
That after the United States, Puerto Rico is tied with Mexico in hosting the most Miss Universe contests and has the second most titleholders following the United States?
That the Mita Religion is the first Protestant religion of Puerto Rican origin and that it was founded by Juanita Garcia Peraza?
That Puerto Rico is the World Capital of Rum, and more than 80 percent[citation needed] of the rum consumed in the United States comes from Puerto Rico?
That Puerto Rico ranks third in the world with the most boxing champions in history, after the United States and Mexico?
Iglesia Santísima Trinidad of PonceThat the first non-Roman Catholic Church established in the Spanish Colonies was the Anglican Church "Iglesia Santisima Trinidad" founded in 1872 by German settlers in Ponce?
That world renowned religious minister and member of the Honorary Committee of The Presidential Prayer Team, Rev. Nicky Cruz was once the leader of a notorious New York City street gang called The Mau Maus?
That in the classic film West Side Story, an epic Romeo and Juliet tale about the rivalry between a Puerto Rican and Anglo-American gang, the only actual Puerto Rican casted was Rita Moreno?

(Courtesy of Wikipedia.com)