Puerto Rico - 51st State finally?

  • Thread starter CodeRedR51
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Wouldn't be as isolated as Alaska is, plus 51 is a prime number.

Sarcasm aside... I'm on the fence here. On one hand, it's been a territory of the U.S. for so long. It's got basically it's own government set up, but they do have to abide by some of the U.S. Congress's rules. (👎)

Downside... I don't see that much of one, besides the obvious people that have a bias against Spanish-speaking people (NOT on GTPlanet) and the crap I'm sure that Congress is going to start over this...

And something would need to be done to replace the existing flag of 50 stars with a 51st - I'm sure that if this ever comes up in Congress, someone's going to make this point...
 
Because of the convoluted way that the referendum was set up in the first place, it is unlikely to even get to Congress to be fought over. There will be too much debate over it on the local level for there to be a big push for it.
 
Hey if Hawaii is a state, then why not Puerto Rico?

Edit: the only logical reason I can think of during a debate to oppose statehood is that the fed has no cash to bring Puerto Rico up to par as a state.
 
Not a chance... no way... ain't gonna happen.

Puerto Rico has Oregon's popluation. So we're talking 7 electoral votes, 2 senators, 5 representatives in the house. This would change the political landscape (in favor of the democrats) enough that there is no way republicans in congress would go for it.

Not to mention federal aid during hurricane season. And a new, more difficult border control problem with not only Cuba, but also Mexico...

Nope. No way.
 
If they can string together a 2/3rds majority for changing the current government (rather than a 54/46 vote after throwing out 4% of the votes), then sure. After they do that and after they decide how they want to change it, it could be a talking point in Congress.



As it is now, there isn't even any consensus there regarding it for it to even come up as a national debate.
 
As Danoff said, no way. But I'll add, we already send 17 Billion down there yearly (2005) in social services alone.
'Welfare Island', as it's been called.
They vote every 4 years on whether to become a state, stay a territory, or be independent. Only 1% vote for independence, yet they claim to be a people of great independence and pride.
One of my employees married a very nice puerto rican woman. He spent the summer there only to come back and report, "They hate us." What?
He said he's never felt so uncomfortable, including his wife having to calm down some neighborhood men upset with the gringos presence.
I've never been there, and no nothing of their beliefs or thoughts toward America. Perhaps some GTPers living there could enlighten me.
I'll leave with this...
http://www.puertorico.com/forums/open-board/19174-puerto-rico-k-welfare-island.html
 
Danoff
If they discovered oil reserves it would happen overnight.
Click to expand...
Exactly. Puerto Rico isn't productive enough nor does it give us any strategic advantage. I'd expect the only way a territory could become a state is if it were on the NA landmass. I don't see Canada ceding anything anytime soon, not that we'd want it anyway.
 
Pardon my geographical and geological ignorance, but why was Hawaii admitted into the union? Alaska for obvious reasons, but what resources are on Hawaii apart from masses of Spam and volcano matter?
 
And it's one of the few places you can grow suger cane, if I remember right. But mostly out was a great fueling stop when ships ran on coal.
 
Ah, I see. That's actually quite glaringly obvious and I'm embarrassed that I couldn't work that out...
 
Hawaii was also the victim of American businessman usurping Hawaii for monetary gain. Hence the apology by Bill Clinton.

Puerto Rico is at least lucky in that regard, but I guess cursed also since Hawaii did get the benefits of American sovereignty down the line.
 
Yea, Puerto Rico is sure lucky they didn't get exploited like Hawaii.... huh?? Who do you think has fared better?
 
I don't think it has been exploited (somebody else with more knowledge of the islands may). Just given what America gained from the second world war, becoming the most powerful nation in the world militarily and the biggest economy in the world (this is in no small part due to WWII). Plus what may well have happened if they didn't have Hawaii - Japan taking it, launching Raids on mainland America from there, not having a base for the pacific fleet. Not being able to launch the fighters for midway which the Japanese would probably have kept, possibly enabling them to take Australia which would in turn have Consequences for the Philipines etc etc. In my opinion, America has gained more than Hawaii from the Union. This doesn't mean I think Hawaii hasn't benefitted from being in the union, or that I think they would have been better off without it. Just That I think America has gained the most.
 
America has gained an island in the Pacific. Americans have gained a hot vacation spot that doesn't have armed guerillas roaming the streets in Soviet-era trucks. Hawaii has gained almost literally everything it has now, hospitability and wealth and fame and luxury and resources, none of which it had before we made it a territory. Natives may be upset that their traditions aren't as prominent as they used to be, but they aren't upset they can charge an arm and a leg to impress vacationers with it.
 
Keef
resources
Click to expand...

...that one being one of the biggest. Hawaiians have access to things like cars and planes, which wouldn't be possible without shipping resources to the island.

Also we've seen what happens when the vodka runs out:

2277-south-park-episode-going-native-review-recap-spoilers-watch-the-full-e.jpg
 
I'm in favor of Puerto Rico not having it's own teams competing in the Olympics.
 
Puerto Rico should be a state, they are basically Americans already.
They follow our laws, they can serve in our military, they travel with our passports, but they are not a state.

They govern themselves, but they follow our foreign policy.
They also pay many of the same taxes as we do.

So beside the whole, they dont give us anything, why not?
If they are a territory, and want to become a state why not? If you dont grant statehood, cut them free as a territory completely.
 
Since I've been living here in PR for a few years I think I can make my input even if this is kinda of a month old topic. Anyways PR is basically a state, we are teached English so this really isn't a issue and besides the fact that we are basically a state without the "state" part, I don't see why could this be so bad for the US. Sure we aren't exploitable but then again the US isn't losing anything, hell they would be gaining from us a few things, even if it's not at the level Hawaii was for the US.
 

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