Puerto Rico Statehood and General Discussion

[erod10]

Puerto Ricans pay Commonwealth, social security, medicare and sales taxes. I remember back in the 50's and 60's my parents sent in federal and local income tax returns because one of them was a Federal employee on the Island. Back in the 1970's local taxes (la vampirita) were higher than the federal income tax in Florida. Considering the per capita income is half that of Mississippi do you really expect them to pay more taxes?
If it becomes a state, current local Commomwealth taxes would be converted to Federal taxes and the 8 Congressmen would really have to fight to get our fair share. However we're not getting a free ride. We've been drafted to U.S. wars since 1917 and we purchase over 21 billion a year from U.S. businesses and can only use American transportation companies to import/export which makes everything cost more. Our territory has been used for strategic U.S. bases during most of the 20th century causing extensive environmental contamination in areas such as Vieques. Don't get me wrong I'm for statehood but don't tell me we've been getting all those benefits for free.

[davsot]

Agree 100% with erod's post!

[Born Slippy]

Facts of Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico, officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is a self-governing, unincorporated territory of the United States.

On 1898, during the Spanish-American War, Puerto Rico was invaded by the United States, as an outcome of the war, Spain ceded Puerto Rico

In 1917, "Puerto Ricans were collectively made U.S. citizens'' via the Jones Act. Since then, people born in Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens

In 1947, the U.S. granted Puerto Ricans the right to elect democratically their own governor.

Puerto Rico has a republican form of government, subject to U.S. jurisdiction and sovereignty. Its current powers are all delegated by the United States Congress and lack full protection under the United States Constitution. Puerto Rico's head of state is the President of the United States.

Population: today, May 2010 estimate 4,000,000 people born and living in Puerto Rico.

Taxes: US Government classifies Puerto Rico as an independent taxation authority by Federal Law. Puerto Rico residents are required to pay U.S. federal taxes, import/export taxes, federal commodity taxes, social security taxes . The only exemption is federal income taxes since residents pay federal payroll taxes (Social Security and Medicare),as well as Commonwealth of Puerto Rico income taxes.

Military: Puerto Ricans enlist in the U.S. military. Since 1917 Puerto Ricans have been included in the compulsory draft whenever it has been in effect and more than 400,000 Puerto Ricans have served in the United States Armed Forces. Puerto Ricans have participated in all U.S. wars since 1898, most notably World War I, World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars, as well as the current conflicts Irak and Afganistan.

Its about time for USA Congress and Senate to allow a referendum that would determine whether Puerto Rico becomes a U.S. state, an independent country, or a sovereign nation.

[sam06pr]

This issue will be on-going for a while. Personally I would like to see PR be Independent, but we need more charismatic leaders and visionaries, something that I think PR lacks in politics...well not so much, it is just that people never pay attention to those good leaders. So yeah I really do not want to get into details why, I just wanted to say I want Independence.
And to answer someone's question, I think PR would most likely vote Democrat if we become the 51st state.

[DreamerGuy]

I think the schools in the US haven't took the time to teach the kids about Guam, American Samoa, US Virgin Islands, Mariana Islands and Puerto Rico. I mean, I'm not asking for a class for each territory, but to teach them there are other territories that are part of the nation, just like a Florida student knows Oklahoma is part of the United States.

How come a citizen of a country doesn't know all the territories that compound its nation?

It has to start there, educating people and showing them the reality of Puerto Rico and the other territories. We're not naked begging for food on muddy pathways. We're as citizen and as american as a newyorker (even if some people on the island or the states side don't like to admit it).

[Remolino]

Wonder why no one has mentioned in this section the riots in and outside the State Capital of Puerto Rico. It is big news in PR. but it seems the outside world could care less.

Video of the incident - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s19INHrULaA

Main problem was that the majority political party that controls the islands Senate prohibited any news people from the Senate chamber. This is unconstitutional. So this was the result.

Local radio announcer was commenting that the US sent someone to check on the corruption in Afghanistan which is not even part of the US but has sent no one to PR..

[JohnFlint1985]

Originally Posted by DreamerGuy

I think the schools in the US haven't took the time to teach the kids about Guam, American Samoa, US Virgin Islands, Mariana Islands and Puerto Rico. I mean, I'm not asking for a class for each territory, but to teach them there are other territories that are part of the nation, just like a Florida student knows Oklahoma is part of the United States.

How come a citizen of a country doesn't know all the territories that compound its nation?

It has to start there, educating people and showing them the reality of Puerto Rico and the other territories. We're not naked begging for food on muddy pathways. We're as citizen and as american as a newyorker (even if some people on the island or the states side don't like to admit it).

kids know about it, but it doesn't play too much role in their education. But don't get this personal - kids from NJ for example don't know too much about Tennessee for example either. They know it exists, but getting more into details - this is rare. So once and if Puerto Rico will become a state the knowledge will improve, but I would not bet on it as a huge improvement. In my mind in order for someone to know your state and Puerto Rico in particular is to make Puerto Rico famous in something and let me be so bold to suggest: improve the tourist industry, restaurants, bars, disco clubs, beaches and etc - all that nature gave you. this is a sure way to make sure everyone knows about you. Florida after all is so popular because of basically two major things: Disney world and South beach

[Remolino]

Famous for Barcardi and Captain Morgan.

[JohnFlint1985]

Originally Posted by Remolino

Famous for Barcardi and Captain Morgan.

well here we go. I love Captain Morgan!
see -- most people know some place only by getting something from there. I know it is stupid as that can be, but... I have been twice to Puerto Rico and I love the place. I think it has a huge potential given the investment and political stability will be there. Some in US are careful to invest into such a place today since they still mindful of Cuba where a lot of Americans lost their fortunes in investment. By making PR a state - these fears are all but forgotten.

And also seriously guys - just think about it - you have an island in the middle of a Caribbean. sand, sea,. beach and etc - this is like the best commodity one can wish for. A real gold mine provided no one is afraid to go there and that comes with political and economical stability. So If I was a person from PR I would vote for statehood with both hands. let it come with certain stipulations. it is obvious that it should be a bilingual state. it is also obvious that some concentrated investment from banks and maybe even US government is needed there to make sure an island like that will make some more economic recovery and catching up with the rest of the states.
But in the end the future should be very bright.

[Remolino]

Problem is PR. might be shortly losing the production of Captain Morgan to the US Virgin Islands.


You said

Some in US are careful to invest into such a place today since they still mindful of Cuba where a lot of Americans lost their fortunes in investment

The only things those companies in Cuba lost was there future profits. They got back there initial investments many times over. Those companies made huge profits and took it back home while the majority of the people on that island lived in poverty. Do you actually think if Cuba had been a paradise for everyone that the communist would have been able to seize power. Nations where there citizens live well , have political freedoms and where poverty is not that bad do not tend to go communist.

And nations are not commodities. I think that is the current problem some business people in the US have. They think everything is a commodity. They would sell there own nation if the price was right. Which could explain why some US companies have invested more overseas then in the US. Always trying to get more money and not caring about what it would do to there homeland.

Why should PR. be a bilingual State. For 517 years Spanish has been the language.

You said

So If I was a person from PR I would vote for statehood with both hands.

I say would you vote to become part of China or the UK. I do not think so. So why should we. Lets go back to that saying the motherland is not for sale. And becoming a US state would lead the people in PR. into becoming minorities in the US. How dumb is that. And do not include us with the Hispanics in the US. The name even says it, US Hispanics. And over 60% are Mexican. The people here are not Mexican and the culture is different.

When it comes to the economy some of the US companies located here are moving to Central America or the Dominican Republic since its cheaper, PR. is very expensive. The CAFTA-DR. free trade treaty also gives them incentives to do business there. Europeans like to vacation in the Dominican Republic since there resorts are cheaper, offer quality service and offer more all in one price. In PR. everything is money.You want this its extra. You want that extra. And things are generally more expensive.

PR. needs to be eithier independent or Associated Republic with the US in order to expand its economy and do business globally. Of course some companies in the US will not like that since it means they lose there monopoly over PR..

GDP for 2009

PR. $17200 Barbados $18500 Trinidad and Tobago $23100.

Seem Independence has not negatively affected Trinidad and Barbados. Both surpass PR. GDP.

Even the Bahamas has a GDP of $29800.

[dj8f9da]

Why not?
__________________
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[Gard]

U.S. flag with 51 stars

[Resident]

If P.R. is cool with it, then I'd be happy to call them one of the U.S.

[nerdly_dood]

Originally Posted by sam06pr

And to answer someone's question, I think PR would most likely vote Democrat if we become the 51st state.

Serious Catholics would, I think, typically vote Republican.

[minneapolis-uptown]

Originally Posted by Remolino

Wonder why no one has mentioned in this section the riots in and outside the State Capital of Puerto Rico. It is big news in PR. but it seems the outside world could care less.

Video of the incident - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s19INHrULaA

Main problem was that the majority political party that controls the islands Senate prohibited any news people from the Senate chamber. This is unconstitutional. So this was the result.

Local radio announcer was commenting that the US sent someone to check on the corruption in Afghanistan which is not even part of the US but has sent no one to PR..

that looks a lot more like cops beating the shit out of a large crowd then a riot. no looting or real destruction of property

[diablo234]

Originally Posted by minneapolis-uptown

that looks a lot more like cops beating the shit out of a large crowd then a riot. no looting or real destruction of property

That seems really tame compared with the riots in Philly once the Phillies won the world series.





Anyways I think many Puerto Ricans are for the status quo since this allows them to remain culturaly distinct from the rest of the US but also allowing them to reap the economic benefits of having no trade barriers.

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[Manitopiaaa]

Originally Posted by nerdly_dood

Serious Catholics would, I think, typically vote Republican.

Hispanics in general are "Serious" Catholics and voted 67% for Obama and are consistently Democratic in elections. The Other serious Catholics can be found in places like New England, New York, Maryland and California and all those are liberal bastions. Puerto Rico would be reliably blue in elections. The only Republican Latinos are Cuban-Americans and that is simply because of Castro not because of religion.

[diablo234]

Originally Posted by Manitopiaaa

The only Republican Latinos are Cuban-Americans and that is simply because of Castro not because of religion.

Colombians tend to favor the Republican party as well.

[Manitopiaaa]

Originally Posted by diablo234

Colombians tend to favor the Republican party as well.

I hadn't heard of that but either way it is because of security reasons in their home country rather than religion.