U.S. Treasury official: Puerto Rico's survival at stake

I will re-iterate what SSG Ed Mikus and SMSgt Tony Barnes have already stated: Puerto Rico needs to be number 51. I think that the Caribbean U.S. Territories should be one state incorporating the USVI, Puerto Rico, and any other carribbean islands that I have missed should be one state. The way the United States treats our territories is like that of the wicked stepsisters in Cinderella. American Samoa needs Statehood Number 52. Guam needs Statehood Number 53. That or incorporate all of the U.S. Pacific territories into one state. Any way you slice it, the people residing in these places are not treated fairly. Why? Because they are Americans by ownership. They do not have REAL representation in Washington, just a token person with no real ability to effect change for those they represent. I know people from Samoa. They are the biggest hearted people you can ever hope to meet. We need to treat them like they are a real part of our nation, or set them free. Which is a sad thing to feel the need to say in "the land of the free."

Make it a state

The problem with becoming a state is that then they have to go through all the legal red tape that comes with statehood. For example many citizens make a living just by selling food. If they became a state then there would be licensing fees and inspections and all the things required by the government. Also residents don't pay federal taxes. So for many that are low income families you can understand why they are hesitant. When all they will see is what will come out of their pocket. In the long run statehood definitely benefits the country and the people but it will take a while for them to adjust to the changes.