Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Blog #40 Puerto Rico statehood?





In less than two weeks, the territory of Puerto Rico will decide on a ballot issue that determines their future. On the ballot, there are two choices:
1. Should Puerto Rico stay as a commonwealth of the United States (its current status)?
2. a. Should Puerto Rico become an American state (something which hasn't happened in over fifty years - adding a new state to the Union);
   b. should Puerto Rico become an independent nation and break political ties with the U.S.;
   c. or should PR become a free nation with an association with the U.S.? 

The territory's residents have voted on this issue three times previously and all attempts to become a state have failed.  The latest vote, in 1998, saw a majority of voters (50.3%) vote for "none of the above" while 46.5% picked statehood and only 2.5% picked independence. 

An argument for independence points to the fact that Puerto Rico is a Latin American nation and that it is culturally, linguistically, and socially different than the U.S.  An advocate for independence stated the following:

"There's no reason for the United States to try to incorporate a Latin American country," he said. "If they want a country, why not Jamaica? They speak English there. It doesn't make sense." 5


Puerto Rico would become the poorest state in the nation, with a GDP of $16,000 and an unemployment rate of 13.7%.  Mississippi is currently the poorest state in the nation with a GDP of $21,000, and Nevada's unemployment is the worst w/ 11.8%.  3 4  By becoming a state, Puerto Ricans would be required to pay federal income taxes, even though the territory currently receives $4 billion in federal aid.  3  If Puerto Rico decides against statehood, they'd still receive federal aid.  Nearly half the island's 3.7 million inhabitants live below the poverty line, but the island is still currently big on tourism.  5

An advocate for statehood feels that the island would get more federal aid than it's currently receiving, especially because of the relative poverty:

"People are getting tired here of having to beg for things states automatically get," said Secretary of State Kenneth McClintock. "Many people who support statehood have moved to the States to enjoy the benefits of statehood. Some people are getting impatient." 5
Benefits for PR statehood would include gaining three representatives in Congress (a representative and two senators). Plus, though Puerto Ricans have been US citizens since 1917, they cannot vote in presidential elections. 1.  The island's residents are allowed to vote in presidential primaries and send delegates to both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions.  Puerto Ricans living in the United States, however, can vote in presidential elections. 

Senator Obama in 2008 promised to let the Puerto Ricans decide the issue of their statehood and is therefore in support of this referendum.  He became the first president to visit the island in 50 years when he went in 2011, since JFK went in 1961.  Former governor Mitt Romney has also supported this vote.  What statehood would mean for American politics is unclear: Luis Fortuna, the state's governor, is a Republican, and the state tends to be socially conservative but economically liberal.  Also, the people of the District of Columbia are looking to become a state as a way of balancing out the statehood issue. 


One big thing to remember is that even if a majority of Puerto Ricans vote to become a state on Tuesday, November 6, that does not mean they automatically become a state.  Congress would have to approve of their application for statehood, just like it had done with previous states. 

Your questions:
1. Should Puerto Rico become a state?  Why or why not? 
2. Does the U.S. want or need another state?  What benefits could Puerto Rico bring with it?

Your answer should be a minimum of 200 words and are due Friday, October 26 by 11:59 p.m. 


Sources:
1. http://news.yahoo.com/puerto-rico-statehood-vote-could-election-day-wildcard-100210615.html
2. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-14/obama-wants-puerto-rico-to-decide-statehood-or-independence-1-.html
3. http://cornellsun.com/node/52606 Cornell Sun, "Puerto Rico Moving Towards Statehood." 9/13/12.
4. http://www.bls.gov/lau/  Bureau of Labor Statistics.
5. http://www.ibtimes.com/puerto-rico-statehood-bad-business-us-or-next-swing-state-754173  International Business Times, "Puerto Rico Statehood: Bad Business For The U.S. Or The Next Swing State?"  8/23/12.
6. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/sep/6/new-dc-statehood-plan-strategize-puerto-rico/  The Washington Times. "New D.C. statehood plan: strategize with Puerto Rico?" 9/6/2012. 


19 comments:

Anonymous said...

I do not think that Puerto Rico should become a state. By joining our country, they would become the poorest state which does not benefit our economy. They also have many drug and crime problems. In our recovering economy, we should not be adding states that will not bring a huge benefit to our economy. Not to mention the language and cultural barrier there would be. We do not know rather or not the Puerto Rican community would be willing to merge their own unique culture with ours. Currently, we give Puerto Rico four billion dollars is federal aid. The arrangement we have seems to be keeping the majority of The United States and Puerto Rico happy. Half of Puerto Rico’s population did not have a say when it came to voting on rather or not to become a state. With that many people undecided about the future of their land, they should not become a state until they are sure. I do not think we should be adding a country, like Puerto Rico that has little natural resources of use to us. If we add Puerto Rico as a state we will be helping Puerto Ricans more than they are helping Americans.

-Laura G. 4th hour

Anonymous said...

Puerto Rico should not become a state. However, they should not become independence (even though it’s our decision) because they would become an even poorer nation. The situation we are currently in seems to be working well for the both of us. We give protection and four billion dollars of financial aid for the Puerto Ricans and they don’t have to pay taxes. Also, if Puerto Rico becomes a state it would not help our economy. They would become the poorest nation with a GDP of 16,000 dollars and an unemployment rate of 13.7 percent. This GDP would be significantly lower than Mississippi (currently lowest GDP) by 5,000 dollars. However, they would be required to pay federal income tax and they are big on tourism. If Puerto Rico did become a state it would shift the balance of power in congress. I don’t know how the balance would turn out because the Puerto Rico’s political parties may not match up with the Democrat/ Republican parties. I think most Americans, like me, don’t want Puerto Rico to become a state. We would be helping Puerto Rico more than they would be helping us. Puerto Rico doesn’t have much to offer America besides a high unemployment rate and poverty.

Lexi K.

Anonymous said...

I think that Puerto Rico should become a state, though I don’t think that we should make that decision for them. If they become a state then they would have all the same rights as a state and the country. They would be given citizenship at birth, be able to vote, get government aid, they would have power to help our votes. We should take it as a state because it will help us raise our economics, help us in resources, help us in a war and give us more power. It will give us more places to take taxes form so we don’t have cut money from important places where we need it. They have stuff that we need and won’t have to import that much from other nations. If we get in to another war they will send troops and not have to waste money that could go to our debt on keeping an army. They would also be able to help us make more jobs and lower our debt. With the men and women that they give us our armed forces will grow stronger. With them as a state we would be able to lower (if needed) a draft in times of a great war. There would be a faster production of arms and armor so we won’t be under staffed or protected. These are some of the reasons to let be a state.

Nico Romano

Anonymous said...

Bella Adelman
4th hour
In Novemeber Puerto Rico will be faced with deciding wheather they should become a state. This is the third time Poeple will be asked to vote on this issue. I feel like there is a reason that te people of Puerto Rico have voted agains this proposition in the past. As a territory in the United States Puerto Rico has recieves many benifits. Puerto Rico currently reiceved 4 billion dollars anually in fedaral subsides from the United States goverment. With this benifit also comes the laxuary of not having to pay income tax. If peurto Rico votes to become our 51st state they will be required to pay income tax. In a country with 13.7 percent unenployment and a 16.000 GDP per capita this could become very diffiucult. This would make them the pourest state in the country, lagging behind Mississippi with its 21 thousand dollar per capita. Admitting Peurta Rico as a state would cost american tax payers alot of money. Evan thoughe some politicians belived that having Peurto Rico as a state would improve relations with latic amaerica, its still seems that the neggitives out weigh the positives. Peurto Rico would do well to remain a united states territory rather then 51st state. These are few of the reasons as to why i belive Peurto Rico should remain a territory.

Anonymous said...

Bella Hourdakis


I believe Puerto Rico should become a state. It may seem like there is nothing that we would gain from a new state but we actually would. The last two states, Hawaii and Alaska; their economies have grown substantially after being admitted into the Union and became net contributors to the U.S. treasury. Puerto Rico has been waiting over 100 years for equal treatment in the United States. This would allow them the right to vote in election and they would pay taxes like everyone else. With statehood, Puerto Rico can be economically viable and a contributor to our nation’s wealth. With economic growth there are more jobs, fewer unemployed, and less of a public assistance burden. Also we already help aid Puerto Rico, whether they are a state or not. There is a lot that would have to be done if they would like to become a state. They don’t just vote yes and then become a state. Also students would have to be able to speak English through high school and they have a very different culture in Puerto Rico. This is not a bad thing, but some of the things we would have to consider before adding them as a state.

Anonymous said...

I do not think that Puerto Rico should become a state. They should just be part of the United States commonwealth as they are now. They still get financial aid from the United States even if they aren't a state so why should things change. Puerto Rico is a Latin American country and is not like the United States. They do not speak English in Puerto Rico so they aren't like the rest of the states. Also Puerto Rico is very poor and if it became a state it would be the poorest state with a GDP of $16,000 and an unemployment rate of 13.7%. That would not be beneficial for the United States because we are already in financial trouble There isn't really a point for Puerto Rico to become a state it would be different if it was an English speaking country connected to the United States. It would be beneficial because they would have to pay income taxes which could help us with some of our financial troubles but I just don't believe that it is worth converting Puerto Rico from a country to a state. So I don't think that we should convert Puerto Rico into a state.

Patrick Mason
4th hour

Anonymous said...

I think that Puerto Rico should be a state for a couple of reasons. Even though they are very poor we could bring jobs there and and make transporting goods a lot cheaper then it is now. Also if they become a state they can help pay taxes and help our economy get back into shape not by much but any little bit we can get will help. Another reason we should get them is because it would be cool to have another state a great story to tell my grandchildren how Puerto Rico became a state.Another thing is that they would be put below the poverty line. Some reasons why they shouldnt is because they would be the poorest state and it would be hard to get them back up from there big downfall and would cost us a lot of money but we've spent money on stupider stuff. We could put out troops there and build a port for our american troops just in case the US and Cuba have any promblems we can show them who's boss. These are some resons why i think that Puerto Rico should become The United States of America's 51st state
Jason C.

Anonymous said...

Connor Biondo

I think that Puerto Rico should remain as a commonwealth of the United States. Unless they could be economically or militarily vital to United States then I think they shouldn’t be a state. If Puerto Rico were to become a state they would be the poorest state in America and the rest of us would have to pay higher taxes to support them and improve their infrastructure. Also, Puerto Rico doesn’t have any really useful natural resources to contribute. Puerto Rico, if it were a state, would have the highest unemployment rate, so yeah more money to support them and more debt added to our nation’s current debt. Puerto Rico has a per capita GDP of 16,000 which is one third of what it is in the U.S. In the end the Cons of making Puerto Rico a state greatly out way the pros (which are very few). So in my opinion, Puerto Rico should not become a state.

Anonymous said...

I don’t think that Porte Rico should become a state, by joining this country; they would be the poorest state of all. I don’t think that benefits us. They also have some security problems, there are a lot of crimes there and there are a lot of druggies there. The other problem is the language and the different culture. We do not know if the Puerto Rico culture would merge with our culture. I just think that the idea of Puerto Rico becoming a state is a bad idea. A lot of people from Puerto Rico don’t even know if they want to become a state of America. I think that we should give them some time to decide whether they want to be a part of America or not. I don’t think that adding Puerto Rico is going to benefit us at all. They should not be helping us; I don’t think that they have much to offer beside a high unemployment rate and poverty. I mean, in Puerto Rico people don’t even speak English! I honestly don’t even know how that would work. Anyways, this is my opinion about the whole situation and some people might think something else..

Dina Kadadi
4th hour

Anonymous said...

Currently, I am not really sure if Puerto Rico should become a state. I think that they should because we support them so much, but they don’t really support us. We give them things like money, health benefits, and military services. They don’t give us anything back in return, so if they become a state they could pay us back with taxes. I don’t want them to become a state though because I like just having 50 states. I know it sounds stupid but 50 is a good, even number and I sort of like it that way. I feel that if we had 51 states something would just be off about it. I do think that America does need Puerto Rico though, just for their support of money and just because of what I said before about us helping them, but they don’t really give anything back in return. I’m sure most other Americans don’t really want PR to become a state because of the same reason I do. 51 is just such an odd number, it makes thing feel uneven and not right. PR can help with our debt a little bit though with the taxes that they would be paying for, but there is so little of them that I am not sure if it would really make a difference so I don’t know if it’s even worth having them as a state. Those are my thoughts on Puerto Rico becoming a state.

Elise S.
4th Hour

Anonymous said...

I feel that Puerto Rico should stay how it is now as a commonwealth of the United States. I don’t think that Puerto Rico should become a part of the United States because this has not been done in 50 years. Also Puerto Rico speaks another language and most Americans speak English. Most Puerto Ricans speak Hispanic. If Puerto Rico were without the U.S. they would not be receiving money from us. Also in Puerto Rico, there is starting to be a lot more drug problems going on. The U.S.’s economy is trying to bounce back from their economy dropping. If Puerto Rico joined the U.S., this could affect the economy. If they become an independent, they won’t get any of our help. Then Puerto Rico won’t be able to get any of our money or support. On average, the U.S. gives Puerto Rico around 4 billion dollars. Also, Puerto Rico does not have a good economy. They have a high unemployment rate, which can bring the U.S. economy down more than it is. Too many people are getting laid off. This won’t benefit anything for the United States. There is nothing that Puerto Rico is offering that is very helpful to the United States. So I feel that they should stay how they are now. Puerto Rico should stay as a commonwealth of the United States instead of a 51st state or independent.

Jaime E. 5th Hour

Anonymous said...

No I think we should not make puerto rico a state because the is not that big of a population. Why should the american people have to go through a hard process to make one area a state. And one of the man reason why puerto rico wanted to become a state is because they wanted to feel like they have there rights like every one else in american. The United states doesn't want to have another state. Some people think it would be dumb and others think its because of the number of states. They would think that 51 states would sound weird and 50 or any other even number would sound fine. The benefits that puerto rico gets for become at state is that they would get help to improve there city. And also they would have to at lest get 2 centers and 1 person to represent the state.

Zacharias Egziabher

Anonymous said...

Puerto Rico such not become a state because they have no resore that we can use and Puerto Rice has no population and has no job force or things that could help this counrty move forward and help the counrty more then we are now they may be more of a henderate then a helping couse of the United States getting back on its feet Jordan B

Nicai Sorrell 4 said...

In a broad view, the action Puerto Rico chooses to make will be a pinnacle of this generation no doubt; however, what the effects are afterward could make the stability of America better or worst. I don’t favor Puerto Rico being an American state since it’s pretty far off – I feel the same about Hawaii but hey – and I feel America is good with the land we have as of now. I believe America already has enough land and should think about reevaluating the providences we have today. Puerto Rico being a state could bring a better chance of a Latin president, which would be interesting, or a wider reach across the globe for the US. However there could be citizens not completely with the addition of Puerto Rico as an America state or illegal immigrants who once had trouble coming to the US might have an easier time blending in or reaching Puerto Rico than North America. In the end, I still think Puerto Rico shouldn’t join America as a state because I feel that the U.S. has been trying to get new places they don’t need and in the end put limits and rulings that mess up the simple life styles there were before.

Anonymous said...

I do not think that Puerto Rico should join be added on as a state to the United States of America. I say this for two reason, one being that they are very poor as of now and that wouldn't be any help to our economic status. The second reason I don't think that Puerto Rico should be added on is because of all the violence and drugs problems that they already have. This would bring security issues that we do not need. The US does not need and added on problems. I do think that in a way Puerto Rico could benefit the US which is a reason why we might "want" them to be added on. Some of these benefits include an enormous shift in Congress toward the Democratic Party, easy access for businesses and an increase in tax revenue. A couple more reasons they should not be added on is because we would have to revise the American Flag, and more regulation of enviromental issues. All of these reasonings I have stated all say why Puerto rico should not become a part of the United States. The benefits they would bring to the US are not worth all the disadvantages that they would bring along as well.

Johne' Dogan
4th hour.

Anonymous said...

Jessica White
4th Hour

I think that Puerto Rico should become a state becuase it will give them more independence. I mean the U.S. doesn't really NEED another state but we do want one. The benefits that Puerto Rico could bring are "Puerto Rico statehood would include gaining three representatives in Congress (a representative and two senators). Plus, though Puerto Ricans have been US citizens since 1917, they cannot vote in presidential elections. 1. The island's residents are allowed to vote in presidential primaries and send delegates to both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. Puerto Ricans living in the United States, however, can vote in presidential elections."

Anonymous said...

I don’t think that Puerto Rico should become state because, if they become a state with us then they would most likely to be the poorest state and that isn’t really benefitting the United States, but I also think they shouldn’t become an independent state because its working out for both of us the situation that we are in semms that we give them 4 billion dollars for finical aid and we also give them protection. Also if Puerto Rico became a state then it would NOT help our economy. And with a GDP of $16,000 and unemployment rate of 13.7% and that would be non beneficial for the United States because we are already in finical problems / troubles which in this case would be the lowest GDP even lower than Mississippi which is currently the lowest in GDP, they would also be required to pay the federal income tax, and if Puerto rico did become a state then the balance of power in congress would shift. And then another reason for them not become a state with Puerto Rico is because there not even speaking the most common language which would be English so then there kids would have to learn the ways we speak but still also know the ways they speak.

-Davion Curry
4th hour

Anonymous said...

Puerto Rico should become a state considering their overall poverty. Receiving $4 billion in federal is not enough to benefit their economy. Becoming a state would help them in 3 ways: 1. They would be able to generate their own state funds from taxes, fees, fines, etc. If there were a deficit, they would also be able to borrow from the federal government. 2. Since all states get representatives in Congress, Puerto Rico would get a representative and two senators that could benefit their economy. Also they then would be allowed to vote in presidential elections. 3. Although they would be the poorest and smallest state, they would have a larger population because more people from the United States would go there because they would have the same benefits. The United States should also want to make Puerto Rico a state because it would cost us less money and benefit us all in the end. Under the current system, Puerto Rico costs the U.S. over $9.7 billion yearly because of federal taxes together with aid and transfer payments to the island. Puerto Rico gets significant amounts of federal grants and transfer payments to individuals, such as veterans benefits, and welfare payments, which are not off-set by taxes collected on the island. If they were a state they could pay for that on their own instead of by the federal government relinquishing that to them.

-Ronald Goldsberry

Anonymous said...

i think puerto rico should become a state because of their poverty. being a state would help them generate their own state funds from taxes and other things. also i think they would also benefit by they would have representatives and congressmen to help make descsions. also puerto rico would get aid from its poverty from the goverenment. compaines could also benfit by having plants in puerto rico because people would need jobs. puerto rico gets significant amounts of federal grants and transfer payments to individuals, such as veterans benefits, and welfare payments, which are not off set by taxes collected on the island. also i think puerto rico could benfit the econmoy because people want to work and companies dont have to pay them much. lastly puerto rico should become a state because the would have out protection. lenny trotta