Do you think Puerto Rico should become a state of the USA?
111522
I am English so don't know the pro's and cons but I would guess it would be best if it was, from what I do know of it.
663662
There are currently 50 official states however Washington, DC and Puerto Rico have representatives in congress.\n\nPuerto Rico recently voted not to become the 51 state in the Union but is protected by the US as is The Us Virgin Islands and Guam.\n\nAnd let's not forget that the US is the Police force of the Earth so I guess even tho they are not actually part of the US the entire Planet is controled in some way by the US.
383329
the united states own puerto rico which is actually a territory, not a state, and one other territory.  I'm not sure what it is called but i think it is located by the philipeans
613801
Nope.  Because Puerto Rico is a territory, they are US citizens and can come and go as they please.
898656
I think that because Puerto Rico is still a US "territory" and not an actual state of the union, the Federal Govt. may have different reasoning as to why they would charge more. Are you sure that an excess import/export tax could have been factored in? \n\nI'm not going to choose sides but feel no one should be penalized for their culture. Puerto Rico does have its inner beauty. I have been there and would go back for vacation.\n\nI'm going to dig further for an objective explanation for you.
769029
No, already projected during puerto rico's influx. The US Society would be overwhelmed .
1086511
Puerto Rico has been debating state hood for a long time now.\nI don't know if I am for or against it. Right now they have the advantages of our government programs, but I don't believe they\nhave to contribute with taxes. It doesn't seem right. Either become a state or let them be on their own
723366
No, if anything we should give the individual states more power to govern themselves. The federal governmnet already has too much power over the states as it is.
114148
Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.\nSan Juan is a US territory, but I don't think that counts as a state.
525962
Puerto Rico belongs to the USA but is not a state..it is considered a province( I believe)  In the 60's, all the countries were communist or a monarche.  I think all but Puerto Rico still is.  Therefore, since the countries were totalitarian in nature, the ppl fled to freedom.  The cities included Florida, NYC, CA and AZ...and by the way they are still coming but for different reasons even though the governments are still the same.
512910
President Bush is full of...well, you know....  Bush should NOT force Puerto Rico into becoming a State!!!!  It is up to the people of the Associated Free State of Puerto Rico to decide whether they want to become a State or not!!!
1137604
Puerto Ricans have rejected US statehood many times.\nThe pros: Better income\nThe cons:Lost of culture,language and national identity.\n\nThe cons are greater than the pros, that is why Puerto Ricans do not want t become the 51 state.
317094
No, I would not because of the electoral college system.  The electoral college system already skews democratic votes into a system that favors smaller states (the "Great" compromise).  As such, DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands would then complicate an already skews the system for electing national representatives.  Thus, you would have to come up with a way the electoral college handles US territories with representatives. \n\nMoreover, the constitutional makes clear that senators can be no fewer than 2 and must come from a state.  Thus, the only way to limit them (assuming that they become a state) to 1 senator is to amend the constitution.\n\nHowever, keep up the big thinking as it is the only way improvement happens.  As Bobby Kennedy used to say, "Some people see things as they are and say 'why'.  I dream things that never were and ask 'why not'."
657796
Officially it is a "commonwealth," but it was declared a colony of the US by the United Nations in 1973. Consider this: The then autonomous island was invaded by US forces after the Hispanoamerican war in 1899. Companies that set up shop there do not pay taxes. Its residents do not vote for President, only for a governor. Its "senator" is not able to vote. The US has five military bases in the island and has been drafting Puerto Ricans to Korea, and Vietnam; and sending them to the Gulf War and Irak since the citizenship was imposed in 1947. For these and other reasons, many Puerto Ricans favor statehood. Can you blame them?
593609
I believe Puerto Rico is getting worst everyday. The problems in the schools, the strikes, I guess, the problem seems bigger because Puerto Rico is such a small island, that when they all go on strike it seems really big and worst. I think that the government needs to start meeting with the people and try to resolve this problem before it gets worst. Remember many children are getting jeoperdize because of this strike.
258314
I live in Puerto Rico, a "commonwealth territory" (in other words a COLONY!!!) of the U.S.  and we are in a similar political situation to the Philippines.  I think that the people of the Philippines should be able to vote, democratically on whether or not they actually want to be a state.  Here in PR that sentiment is divided three ways: 1) the people who want to become a state  2) the people who like the current political status  and 3) people who want independence.  I am very much in favor of Puerto Rico being granted independence.  I know very little about the Philippines, but if it's anything like it is here, then the U.S. is doing it no favors.  Here the U.S. government rapes the land and its people and gives nothing back.  \n\nI'm sorry that I can't answer your question exactly, but I hope this helps give you some perspective.\n\nFR
223103
It depends on the piece of land.  If Disney bought an island and wanted to apply for statehood, then no.  If Puerto Rico wanted to apply, then yes.  I guess the difference is is it just some person (or group of person) trying to be a wiseguy or is it really a group of people that want to be part of the United States.