Puerto Rico is already a US terrortory and trips to PR from the mainland is considered domestic. It has US postal mail and has US Zip codes with phone & electrical system are the same as in the U.S.
2007-03-12 04:56:13 · 14 answers · asked by dropping_k 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
I used to sit at the Post Office in Isabel Segunda waiting for the bus to take me to base, watching all these people with brown government envelopes leaving the post office. (This was before direct deposit was widely used.) They get all the benefits without paying any income tax, so why would they be stupid enough to vote themselves a state? I would love to see them either become a state or go independent!
2007-03-12 05:11:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am for whatever fits and contents Puerto Rico, however I think it is better they stay this way, they can keep their identity instead of being just Americans (I hope that didn't come out wrong). What I mean is, Puerto Rico does have it's own culture, customs, and language so it isn't just like 'any other state'. Puerto Rico already decided it wants to stay how it is and if it makes the people happy, I'm okay with it.
And to the other answer above, nobody is making the U.S. do all of that for the island. In fact, the U.S. has too because it is U.S. territory which means they use the land. You use it, you pay for it somehow.
2007-03-12 12:52:11 · answer #2 · answered by Kunggpao 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Puerto Rico is a poor area.
Over time, I think most of the poor people in Puerto Rico would as a result of conjoining with the US become better off.
That's wonderful.
But the immediate effect would be to skew the numbers. If they become the 51st state, that will increase the poverty rate within the United States.
The Liberals and the mainstream media will report this "increase in poverty" outside of the context of its cause - much like they do now, reporting poverty numbers as far away from stories about the immigration issue as much as possible - even though we don't have more poor Americans, rather more poor Mexicans living in America, the increase in poor people is reported as the former or in a context that makes it appear like the former. There are fewer in the middle class and more poor people but there are also more rich people and immigration sources have shifted from Europe to Latin American countries that are desperately poor - the increase in poor people is a result of poor people coming here, and most of the formerly-middle class people are now rich, unless you think these illegals coming in from Mexico, the DR and Brazil are making millions cutting your lawn, cleaning your toilets and watching your kids....
I guess what I want to avoid is the quantitative effect of poor Puerto Ricans becoming Americans being reported by the NY Times as an "increase in poverty among Americans" and leaving the reader to conclude that it means Americans are getting poorer.
Let them in? Sure, why not. It would improve our Olympic basketball team.
2007-03-12 11:59:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
That's up to the Puerto Ricans. The voted some years back and decided to leave the status quo. They could become a state if they wished. The could have become an independent country if the wished.
2007-03-12 12:05:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't mind one way or the other. The question should be directed to the citizens of PR. Last I heard, they weren't all that crazy about the idea - they love being considered independent and "The Shining Star of the Caribbean".
2007-03-12 12:20:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am against this, and I believe Puerto Rico should be granted full independence with the liberties, rights, and responsibilities thereof.
2007-03-12 12:00:12 · answer #6 · answered by BDOLE 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd welcome PR as a state or let them go independent but every time a vote comes up, they vote to remain a dependent territory because it affords them special privileges they would lose upon becoming a state or nation. I'd prefer that they be forced to make a choice between the two but they seem content as they are.
2007-03-12 12:10:08 · answer #7 · answered by Crusader1189 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Puerto Rico is, for intents and purposes the 51st state.
2007-03-12 11:59:54 · answer #8 · answered by lumpy r 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I remember right, a few years back they voted on this issue and it was very narrowly defeated. I'd like to see them join us, but it really is up to them. As I understand it, we already have a 51-star flag ready just in case. At first glance I didn't even notice it was different.
2007-03-12 12:06:34 · answer #9 · answered by Robert 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they want to join, let's take them in. I love Puerto Rico.
2007-03-12 12:03:20 · answer #10 · answered by Josh K 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋