Although the media downplayed it, earlier this year, the House voted, 223 (y) to 169 (n), to approve a measure for a federally sanctioned process on whether Puerto Rico should become the 51st state. The measure allows Puerto Rico to hold referendums to determine the island’s political status. Voting can occur at every 8-year interval to decide its fate. If the vote were to pass to change the political status, a second vote would ultimately decide the action.
This time around, the vote, which took place on April 29, 2010, was different. The bill had two parts. The first was asking not whether they wanted their island to become a state – as in past votes – but whether they wanted to change to a “different political status.” The question, to me was simple – yes. There are plenty of Boricuas fed up with the political, and current medical situation on the island. Something a vote in favour would change.
That “different political status” is spelled out in part two of the bill, which allowed for 3 choices:
- Independence
- Sovereignty in Association with the United States.
- Statehood
If Puerto Rico were a U.S. state, it would be 27th in population and have 6 seats in the House. Puerto Ricans have been citizens since 1917, but that status has not been ultimately decided on and it’s 3.9 million residents still don’t have voting representation in national government. Puerto Ricans born after 1941 are legally naturally born citizens of the U.S.
There is a misconception that residents don’t pay taxes. But alas, they do. They pay import/export sales tax, commodity taxes, Social Security and Medicare taxes. The only taxes not paid on the island are Federal, although federal employees and companies or people who do business with Puerto Rican companies, do pay.
In my opinion, Puerto Rico would benefit greatly from statehood. This would fix many underlying issues going on right now. For example, people who are on SSI disability can live on the island, peacefully, instead of having to cheat the system. Healthcare would be vastly improved upon. Students of the local universities wouldn’t be plagued by the many problems they have been facing lately. Government workers would have better job security.
Of course, as elsewhere in the U.S., being a state has its downfall. You’ll have to pay more taxes, get less in return and have to suffer through Republicans possibly taking over Congress this year, not that Democrats are any better.
Ultimately, as a state, the good things will trickle down, and the people most in need, will get what they deserve.
Sources
http://biggovernment.com/taylorking/2010/04/28/puerto-rico-51st-state-congress-scrambling-to-make-it-so/
http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2010/04/will_puerto_rico_finally_becom.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Rico
by AJ Rodriguez
About Being Latino Contributors
I think an opinion is one thing to assert, but an opinion supported by so-called “facts” without ANY sort of factual citations to back up that speech, are just blown up and un-supported ideas. Like, I would love to know why YOU claim that “This would fix many underlying issues going on right now.” WHAT is “this”? What underlying ISSUES? Issues relating to what or who? How would it change and why would that happen?…then of course where is you proof that would happen? The you go on to state “For example, people who are on SSI disability can live on the island, peacefully, instead of having to cheat the system. Healthcare would be vastly improved upon.” Wow. I do not mean to be argumentative but HEALTHCARE IMPROVING WITH STATEHOOD? Who the hell’s country do you think this is? We can’t take care of the Health of America born Nationals, how would you propose to our incompetent Government to take on the health of an additional almost 4 million people? Theeeennnn, you go on to state-again without supporting facts- that…”Students of the local universities wouldn’t be plagued by the many problems they have been facing lately.” Like what problems? Why are they facing them as a commonwealth but wouldn’t in statehood and how would that change by becoming a state? This whole editorial is very very biased and we can all see that you would JUST LOVE to be a state, but this isn’t about you, this is about a entire body of people whom are very happy being in the state that they are politically. The majority are para Independencia and good luck persuading the majority will these full mouthed but not very well thought out or supported opinions.
Let’s be real, Puerto Rico wouldn’t survive on its own. Statehood is probably the next best step.
…but then again, I’m an outsider.
To start, the issue was downplayed because there is no importance nor urgency on the matter in the U.S. Quite simply, if you really read the context of HR 2499 then you would see that it leans heavily towards statehood. What we need here are facts stating why statehood would be the route and why Puerto Rico would not survive on it own. After 112 years under U.S. colonialism it has been embedded in the mentality of many that a need to cling on for fear of the unknown future and the notion of not being able to survive without the U.S. is normal. Valid arguements, points of view and information on each political status should be conveyed to the people.