should Puerto Rico be a free republic, a state, or stay the same status?
358503
I say become a free republic so we can have independence once and for all.
203709
On July 25, 1898 at the outbreak of the Spanish–American War, Puerto Rico, being a colony of Spain, was invaded by the United States of America with a landing at Guánica. Spain was forced to cede Puerto Rico, along with Cuba and the Philippines, to the United States under the Treaty of Paris (1898) [4]. The twentieth century began under the military regime of the United States with officials, including the governor, appointed by the President of the United States. In 1917, the Jones-Shafroth Act approved by the United States Congress granted Puerto Ricans U.S. citizenship so that they could be recruited as soldiers for WWI. Natural disasters and the Great Depression impoverished the island. Some political leaders demanded change; some, like Pedro Albizu Campos, would lead a nationalist (The Puerto Rican Nationalist Party) movement in favor of independence. He would eventually die by what he claimed was a conspiracy set in place by the U.S. Federal Government. Muñoz Marín initially favored independence, but saw a severe decline of the Puerto Rican economy, as well as growing violence and uprisings, at the hands of the U.S. government and opted to create the "commonwealth" option as an eventual stepping stone to full independence.\n\nAlthough Puerto Rico is, politically speaking, an unincorporated territory of the United States classified as a Commonwealth, Puerto Ricans and people from other nations refer to Puerto Rico as a país, the Spanish word for country. This is a very common and accepted international status given to all dependent territories, also called dependent "states" by the United Nations. The United Nations has intervened in the past to evaluate the legitimacy of Puerto Rico's political status, to ensure that the island's government structure complies with the standards of self-government that constitute the basic tenets of the United Nations Charter, its covenants, and its principles of international law.
555147
No, because the Constitution states that a candidate must be born in the United States.  Puerto Rico is not a U.S. state, it is a U.S. territory.
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.
505592
I don't think so.  Puerto Rico's main issue revolves around that lack of a middle class.  Socioeconomic differences are of the hardest to resolve but I feel a political revolt is a more likely result.
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
197935
Puerto Rico is part of the United States. Cuba is a dictatorship under Castrol The Dominican Republic is a very unstable country in the area.
668114
I don;t think so.  Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States and if you're not a US citizen you need a visa to travel here.
230329
There are three major political parties in Puerto Rico.  One is the PNP (Partido Nuevo Progresista), the PPD (Partido Popular Democratico) and PIP (Partido Independentista Puertorriqueño).  The first two are theones with most followers.  The PNP wants assimilation with the United States (want to become a state), the PPD want to remain a commonwealth, our current status and the PIP wants independence for the island.
840707
we have fifty states. the latest state brought into the US was Hawaii in the fifties. Washington, DC, is not considered a state because it is a single city and located within Maryland (if my memory serves me right). Puerto Rico is in US territory, but is not a state. I heard rumors in the past about making PR a state, but there has never been any depth to this rumor.\n\nOh, and UNI Panther.... I remember the song, too! Fifty nifty United States, from thirteen original colonies... fifty nifty stars on the flag that wave so beautifully in the breeze! Yay me!\n\nHope this helps.
878739
I don't know any. I live in mid-Ohio. Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the US. But I like all peoples of all nations. As long as you respect and like me I'll give it back. I always wanted to see Puerto Rico, is it nice there?
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.
537624
I doubt it.    A very good read is James A. Micheners' "Alaska"\n\nThe parallel is this..  business interests do not want the regulation that would necessarily come with statehood.. State regulations, adherence to Federal regulations.. the list is very long.  In the case of Alaska, people and natural resources were exploited heavily. \n\n I think PR may be in the same scenario
717036
Uhh, what are you talking about? Puerto Ricans are legal U.S. residents and can travel freely between the island and the U.S. without a passport. The U.S. government has no obligation to "pay for" reunions between P.R. 'islanders' and 'mainlanders' if that's what you're talking about. Puerto Ricans are free to move back and forth between the two territories.
591060
Besides the fact that the Government/Economy of Puerto Rico is totally screwed up, what crisis are you referring to?
689585
You are right that PR is part of the USA and I for one think it is time that you be considered a state! And no you are not the same as the illegals. They just want to find anyone they can to side with them. I don't think that they realize that by doing what they have, with the protests and all, that they have alienated those who would have supported them. \n\nPoint being is this,I can't go to any other country and protest or take an active part in voting or politics or even ask for assistants living because I am not a citizen of that country. So why should the illegals here be different. \n\nI am sorry you have had to deal with this personally. It is not right and I am saying so. You are an American and as such should be treated like it.
584991
No I'm Puerto Rican and I dont feel dat I have to go to Puerto Rico cuz I was born here.Even if I wasnt born here I dont see why I would have to go back.