should puerto rico become a state in america?

Question

they pay our taxes should they join us?

Answer 1

They are mixed up about this...a little over half want to remain associated, while about 43% want to be independent.

Right now they are a commonwealth. They are subject to military duty, but cannot vote. They are not full beneficiaries of federal social service programs.

If they decide to join, they should pay taxes so that they can benefit fully from social services, etc.

Having them be a commonwealth has had bad consequences, though. Mainlanders (us) have harbored racist sentiments(just like us), and now the darkest skinned tend to be the poorest.

I'd suggest freedom from the US for them.

Answer 2

Yes, Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States. The citizens enjoy all the benefits of our constitution, but for the right to vote on the President of the US. Their political figurehead has no real power. However, I personally don't think that the people of Puerto Rico would vote to join the union, but would prefer to maintain what little autonomy they have.

Answer 3

It would be fair for Puerto Rico to have rights equal to US states, but the US (like other gov'ts) has capitalistic motives.

I believe cultural and mostly financial pressures keep P.R. from statehood now and in the near future.
The cultural differences between much of the U.S. and P.R. are clear.

As for money:
The US government does lose considerable tax money from American corporations due to tax breaks in P. R.; but more federal dollars would go into P.R. if it was a state. It would probabaly be a net finanacial loss for the US Federal gov't if P.R. became a state. Due to transportation costs, islands make better strategic military installations than investments. I doubt Hawaii would become a state now if it had been in the same class as P.R. until now.

Answer 4

No one can seem to make up their mind over there. Maybe the US should join Puerto Rico instead?

Answer 5

NO. Puerto Ricans have an sizeable satisfaction for his or her nationality as somebody not as one greater state. we are proud to be electorate of the united statesbut even prouder to be electorate of Puerto Rico.

Answer 6

At first I was gonna say yeah but after reading all the stupid negative responses here I say NO. Leave Puerto Rico alone.They are a strong culture and from my understanding most boriquenos prefer their own cultural identity. We'd only ruin it based on what I read here today.

Answer 7

We should make Puerto Rico a holding pen for all of the illegals

Answer 8

In his farewell address to the nation, President Ford called for Statehood for Puerto Rico.

That was in January 1977. That was thirty years ago.
I don't think it will happen.

Answer 9

As a state, Puerto Rico would have the 25th highest population of any state and would send six or seven Congressmen to Washington as well as two Senators.

The House is limited to 435 Members, so a state of Puerto Rico would cost at least six states one Congressman each.

Language

Fully 90% of Puerto Rico's high school graduates do not speak English well.

As a state, Puerto Rico could make Spanish its only official language (as it did in 1990) and require the rest of the United States to adapt to them. That could cost $2-3 billion each year in language translation costs alone based on the costs Quebec imposes on Canada.

Income

Puerto Rico's per capita income of $8,509 is less than one third of the US average, and about one half that of Mississippi, the poorest state.

The average monthly per capita income in Puerto Rico would be $709 per month.

Social Security Disability payments are at least $790 per month.

Rank of a state of Puerto Rico as a state among states based on population: 25th

Rank of Puerto Rico currently if included among states based on persons receiving disability income: 16th

In Puerto Rico, 50% of families have incomes of less than $10,000.

In the United States, 67% of families have incomes of $25,000 or more.

Earned Income Credit: maximum benefit of $3,556 applies to workers earning between $8,900 and $11,610.
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Amount of expected income to the U.S. Treasury from individuals in Puerto Rico because of the Earned Income Credit: $0.
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Percentage of Puerto Ricans on the island who receive food stamps in 1989: 43.5%

Amount of expected increase in welfare payments annually to Puerto Rico as a state: $3 billion.


Make sure you read the starred section...

Answer 10

yes, but only Puerto Rican have the vote on that to become a State.