Why should or shouldn't Puerto Rico become our 51st state?

2015-05-11T07:58:19-04:00

They vote in the primaries but not general election. They receive our protection. Many of their citizenry want to official join the United States but many still don't. What are some excellent reasons for or against Puerto Riico finally becoming the 51st state? Better yet, what do the Puerto Ricans on RallyPoint say?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 8:01 AM

2015-05-11T08:01:47-04:00

They get all the benefits without the bs. why would they wanna be a state?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 8:01 AM

2015-05-11T08:01:40-04:00

All of our territories should become states

Response by PO1 John Miller made May 11 at 2015 8:03 AM

2015-05-11T08:03:14-04:00

If they become a state they would get the full benefits that come along with it. Yes, they're already American citizens but statehood in my opinion would open up many doors not just for the citizens but for Puerto Rico itself!

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made May 11 at 2015 8:07 AM

2015-05-11T08:07:00-04:00

Why not they already receive benefits from the US.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 8:09 AM

2015-05-11T08:09:22-04:00

Our government can't manage the financial situation, the wars, and can't even agree on a single issue related to our country. They sure as hell couldn't agree to legislation concerning what the flag would look like with another star?

Response by SGT Michael Corujo made May 11 at 2015 8:23 AM

2015-05-11T08:23:01-04:00

Well, I am Puerto Rican, born in NY and raised in the island. This question has always been controversial. Yes, they receive benefits from the U.S. but the U.S. had gotten their money's worth from the island since it landed there in 1898.

From the doughboys of WW1, GI's of WW2, 65th Inf Div in Korea, Vietnam, Granada, Somalia, Yugoslavia, Gulf 1 & 2, etc. Puerto Ricans have always answered the call to defend "their country!" Most of us are Puerto Ricans in our soul but Have the United States deep in our hearts.

As to socio-economic and political reasons, it is a mess. Replicants are pro-statehood and Liberals support the Commonwealth. For the first time ever, the island recently choose Statehood as the winning choice in a referendum.

So God knows what will happen next...

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 8:25 AM

2015-05-11T08:25:32-04:00

We do not need another state guaranteed to vote for only ONE party - regardless of which party it is.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made May 11 at 2015 8:43 AM

2015-05-11T08:43:49-04:00

Keeping territories without full rights as states is contrary to our founding principles, it unnecessarily complicates legal codes and places citizens and 'persons' of the United States in unequal statuses. And it's intrinsically based on deep racism.

http://www.salon.com/2015/03/09/john_oliver_eviscerates_the_condescending_treatment_of_u_s_territories/

John Oliver reveals the stunningly racist history behind why some U.S. territories can’t vote

In Guam and American Samoa, you can serve in the U.S. military but cannot vote. Here's why VIDEO

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 9:05 AM

2015-05-11T09:05:48-04:00

Although I welcome the opportunity for Puerto Rico to become fully recognized. I do accept them retaining their independence.

Our political system here needs to seriously get unfucked first! It's like a disfunctional family adopting a kid out of a stabilized environment. Not a very rational decision.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 9:10 AM

2015-05-11T09:10:36-04:00

I believe that they are given the option every 4 years or so & they continuously vote to remain a protectorate.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 11 at 2015 9:30 AM

2015-05-11T09:30:18-04:00

Let's take this to an "extreme" macro level.

The world receives our protection. Does that mean every other country should have to forfeit their sovereignty to become states, and adhere to our social contract?

We have a great Constitution. We do, however, it has failings like any other document. Demanding that anyone under our wing become a state and give up self governance is actually counter to what our Constitution is about. That's anti Freedom.

Statehood is about voluntarily joining the Union. That's what really separates us from the Commonwealth states. We're Citizens, not Subjects. Puerto Ricans have the advantage of being both Puerto Rican Citizens and American Citizens.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made May 11 at 2015 10:48 AM

2015-05-11T10:48:03-04:00

As much as I want it to, I hate odd numbers. My OCD is kicking in.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made May 11 at 2015 10:59 AM

2015-05-11T10:59:40-04:00

PR held referendum in 2012 on becoming a state. 54% of the 800K who voted said PR needed to change its status. Of that 54%, about 60% voted to become the 51st State. This was the fourth referendum on statehood in PR history.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made May 11 at 2015 11:22 AM

2015-05-11T11:22:58-04:00

Better talk American Marianas if you're weighing it all out. The locals will stay away from statehood unless it's better for them. So far having more Federal dollars coming in than going out makes statehood unlikely. Interesting that with the population count, the net gain in DC would be 4 Senators to 2 Representatives, i.e. the Alaska configuration, with something busting somewhere due to the 435 cap unless that law gets tweaked.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made May 11 at 2015 12:09 PM

2015-05-11T12:09:03-04:00

No. It'll screw up the symmetry of the flag..... ;o)

Seriously though, I think PR needs to poo or get off the pot.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 12:10 PM

2015-05-11T12:10:29-04:00

My vote on this is partly based on the re-design of a flag with a 51st star.

Response by Sgt John Skibenes made Jun 14 at 2016 9:12 PM

2016-06-14T21:12:54-04:00

Because 50 is a nice round number of stars.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Jun 29 at 2016 1:35 PM

2016-06-29T13:35:30-04:00

How would that benefit the taxpayer? What would be the gain for adding another welfare state that is seriously flawed when it comes to managing a state/territory? Altruism is a good thing when you are not broke and paying for debt that goes to private financiers of the regime in PR. Their debt will be managed and funded by our debt placed on our children and grandchildren.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jan 25 at 2018 9:26 PM

2018-01-25T21:26:56-05:00

Do we need to add that much debt to ours?