What exactly is the arrangement Puerto Rico has with the United States?

Question

I realize that they are a commonwealth, but what does that entitle?

Answer 1

First of all, Puerto Rico is a war treasure, the US take us from the Spanish in July 25, 1898, when the Spanish armada lost the Hispanoamerican War. Then PR became a colony (territory) of the US, from that date until1948 all our governors was named by the Secretary of the Interior. Then the US president in that time (around 1951) gave permission to our elected governor Luis Muñoz Marín to write a Constitution, but that need to be approve by the US government. We have US citizenship thanks to the Jones Act Law of 1917. From that date until now, our status not have any change. Our men are part of the US Army (they need to inscribe at age of 18 like you). Really, we don't have any arrangement's with the US government, we most follow the US rules. Our governor no have permission to make political or financial arrangement's with any nation. We receive US funds the same way the US government and the Army use our land to make experiments and install bases, the same way we make our products and we can't sell directly to other nations, that product need to go first to US continental and then is move to the other place and in the same way the same products come back to our land with the doble price (that the Cabotash Law). All the american industries that was establish in the past in PR don't pay local contributions (936 law)rigth now this law was change to the 30-A law that establish that in a period of 10 years all this american companies most begins to pay our taxes.

Answer 2

A colony, plain and simple. Puertorricans have no say on whom becomes the President of the United States. We are 2nd class citizens, even though we are American citizens. (My passport is proof of that). When there was a draft, we were eligible for it, there are many puertorricans in the armed forces today (it is their choice though). The can say whatever they want about the Commonwealth, but the fact is simple, it is still a colony. We are not involved in the American democracy in voting for President, Congress (even though there is a delegate to the House, he gets no vote on the floor on legislation and there is no Senators). The U. S. Supreme Court has ruled that Congress has the ultimate authority over the territory of Puerto Rico, meaning that if the decide to sell Puerto Rico to some other country they can do it (does not mean that they will do it, but they have that authority to do so). Federal programs can be applied unevenly to Puerto Rico (and they often are). The problem is that the people of Puerto Rico are afraid of becoming a state because they think that their culture is going to be assimilated. Guess what, it has already happened, go to Puerto Rico and what do you see, WalMart, KMart, Target, Burger King, McDonald's, Domino's Pizza, Pizza Hut, etc., etc., etc. So put as much lipstick as you want in that pig, it is still a pig.

Answer 3

It Means that we are a Territory..we are US citizens by birth...we don't pay Federal taxes but We Get Federal Aid...
We only have a Representative in Washington..No Senator or Congreess member.

We can't vote for the President living in Puerto Rico...If You Work for the Federal Goverment in Puerto Rico..You're Required to file a Federal Tax Return.

We have our own Olimpic team and Miss.universe Representative

We Join the US Armed Forces and We are the biggest Latin Presence there.

Been a Commonwealth has Pro's and Con's.

You can read about it @ http://topuertorico.org/government.shtml

Answer 4

Puerto Rico is self governing. External affairs (international banking, economic trades, defense) are controlled by the US according to the compact of association between both nations since 1952. This compact is not permanent ( that is why Puerto Ricans have self determination elections and have chosen in all elections to remain a commonwealth )
The official name of Puerto Rico is : Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico (literal translation: Free associated country of Puerto Rico)

Answer 5

It means that the residents of Puerto Rico are American citizens who govern themselves on most matters much like a State but who have no voting member in congress and who do not vote for President.

The "Commonwealth" is a compromise between Independence and statehood.

Answer 6

Good question. The same are the puertorican asking the last 6 decades. An a official consensus answer is not found.

Answer 7

Here is a link.
http://en.wkipedia.org/wki/Puerto_Rico#Politica_status_within_the_United_States

Answer 8

It means they take the USA's money, and then complain about it.