The bill in the U.S. House for a popular vote on Puerto Rico’s future status, HR 2499, now has 147 co-sponsors. Nine more co-sponsors were gained in the last 3 days of last week.
The probable confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court will probably highlight the political status of Puerto Rico in the coming months. Although Sotomayor was born in New York city, her parents were born in Puerto Rico, and the family traveled to Puerto Rico every summer while she was growing up. Her undergraduate senior thesis at Princeton was about Puerto Rico’s ambiguous political status, and her law review note at Yale was about the effect of possible Puerto Rican statehood on the island’s mineral and ocean rights.
The recent U.N. hearings on the status of Puerto Rico are also drawing attention to the issue. If Puerto Rico were to become a state, it would have 10 electoral votes.
Statehood for Puerto Rico NOW!!!!!!
Puerto Rican military protects US and Iraq troops while voting to elect their president…! What is wrong her??? Puerto Ricans can’t vote to elect their own !! What a joke… Statehood… NOW>!!
It high time that this issue be addressed once and for all. Puerto Rico’s ambiguous relationship with the U.S. allows for 4 million U.S. citizens on the island to go without representation.
It’s true that this is not ‘taxation without representation’ as was the case in colonial America. What it is, is thousands of Puerto Ricans who have served in our armed forces at the request of either Congress or their “Commander in Chief”, but who cannot vote for that commander. That has to change, and I believe only statehood can afford us that.
Puerto Ricans keep voting it down. And I think they will vote it down again.
Although I personally favor statehood, Puerto Rican both in the mainland and Island need to take our status ambiguity seriously. About 400 years of Spanish colonialism and 111 years of US colonialism is enough. We can afford to continue the present political climate that is hampering economic growth and opportunities to the average citizen. The current ELA status needs to be define, either Independence or enhance Associate State (what ever this means). Honestly we should only have two real options, and that is Independence or Statehood. But for those who disagree I guess then enhance ELA.
Puerto Rico: Nation hood now! Grown up status for Puerto Ricians! Chip away at the Fascist Imperial Global Empire!
CaliforniaScreaming; the past plebiscites were NOT the two-tier vote being used this time. The past plebiscites put ALL options on one list; thus ensuring the issue NOT be decided. THIS proposed plebiscite would FINALLY put an end to the Statehood/Independence discussion.
If the island were to become a state, it would become completely Americanized. Look at Hawaii and Alaska. Why sacrifice the rich culture of Puerto Rico for it to become dependent on another country whose culture is saturated in materialism and money hungry people? The island deserves independence, and those islanders who have been brainwashed by the government need to stop being babies and let go of the US’s hand. It’s for the better. INDEPENDENCIA PA PUERTO RICO!
While true that HR 2499 is biases (there ought to be as many as 3 voting rounds), self determination is long overdue.
One interesting thing, is that a large number of those favoring statehood, have never set foot on the mainland, so all they know is the political propaganda of opportunistic and corrupt politicians. For a self determination process to have validity, it must be include input and participation from the civic society. Leave in the hands of selfish, corrupt, egoistic politicians, and it becomes “human waste” in no time. Therein lies the need for the applicability of international law.
Congress.. the couldn’t care less about these three million second class citizens.
Dubya’s (Bush) report (couple of years ago) included the option of “transferring” Puerto Rico to another “administering” authority. I say, let us become an overseas province of a Socialist Cuba; our closest culturally and historically blood brothers.
If Puerto Rico votes for independence say good bye to U.S citizenship,medicare,medicaid,social security,unemployment assistance,federal assistance and stimulus money,U.S post office,all federal defense forces,coast guard,U.S company tax breaks,bond sales and credit ratings for projects that employ and improve Puerto Rico. This is the short list.What will the new currency be and what value would it have ?How does this help the people of Puerto Rico? Or Puerto Rico could vote to become a state,maintain its cultural identity as other states do and participate as full voting citizens
Support should come from full Congress to make history by honoring our democratic and constitutional right for free expression and allow the people of Puerto Rico to express their point of view.
Statehood for Puerto Rico would be the ultimate manifestation in the culture of dependence the US and the two primary political parties have fostered in Puerto Rico since the 1950’s. Furthermore, allowing Puerto Ricans who have voluntarily left the island to have a say in this matter is akin to allowing John Doe from Miami who was born in New York to continue voting in New York matters although he no longer resides there. This is tantamount to legalizing voter fraud and making putting the voice of the larger Puerto Rican diaspora in the mainland over that of the residents of the island.
HR2499 is a farce, Statehood for Puerto Rico is a farce.
Independence is necessary to provide Puerto Rico with the power and flexibility that would assure sound economic development in the modern world. The basic economic problem of Puerto Rico is economic stagnation and dependence on U.S. subsidies.
More than one-third of our population has emigrated in the last 40 years, mainly seeking work. The island has among the highest crime and drug addiction rates in the world -treat a nation like a ghetto and it will behave like a ghetto. In 1993, there were 24 homicides in Puerto Rico per 100,000 inhabitants, compared with 9 in the United States, 4 in Costa Rica, and 1 in the United Kingdom. In 1991 Puerto Rico had 1,972 drug addicts per 100,000 inhabitants, compared with 1,176 in the United States and 179 in the United Kingdom.
To overcome such conditions, Puerto Rico must take full advantage of its location, an infrastructure more advanced than that of virtually any nation at the moment of attaining independence, and a highly skilled labor force and educated managerial class.
Forty-seven percent of the island’s labor force has some post-secondary education; 25 percent of those working are professionals and managers. The productive capacity of these resources under the constraints of the colonial system has reached its limits. Puerto Rico must develop a more modern, diversified, competitive, and knowledge-based economy, centered on manufacturing and services and to a lesser extent on modern agriculture. Puerto Rico must develop an economic strategy responsive to its own needs, not subject to rules and regulations designed for the much wealthier continental U.S. economy. Puerto Rico must have the authority to enter into international tax and commercial treaties in order to increase and diversify foreign investments, widen its export market, and lower import costs. It must be able to allocate production rationally for internal consumption and gear monetary and fiscal powers toward greater capital formation and productivity.
Many small independent countries, which in 1970 were far behind Puerto Rico in economic development, have used such mechanisms in the recent decades to achieve impressive income gains. In 1995 Trinidad and Tobago had a per capita GDP (at purchasing power parity) of $8,610; St. Kitts and Nevis, $9,410; Barbados, $10,620; Malta, $11,570; Cyprus $14,060; and Singapore, $22,770. These countries have far surpassed Puerto Rico’s per capita GDP of $7,670, while Puerto Rico has overtaken no one during the last quarter century. They did not receive the presumed benefit of billions of dollars in welfare payments, but they enjoyed the power and flexibility of sovereignty. An independent Puerto Rico, particularly in this era of interdependence, could become the catalyst for a Caribbean common market and for the revival of the century-old idea of an economic and political Antillean Confederation, conceived by the Puerto Rican abolitionist Ramón E. Betances, educator Eugenio MarÃa de Hostos, and the Cuban poet and essayist José MartÃ, who were also the leaders in the struggle for Cuban and Puerto Rican independence.
Independence paves the way for Puerto Rico’s economic progress. Nevertheless, many other countries in Latin America and the rest of the world – for example, Haiti, Dominican Republic- achieved independence before going through a period of political and economic modernization. These countries’ colonial experience did not provide the means for a transitional period where its citizens would ease into political, organizational and entrepenuerial power, as the empire’s hegemony decreased, as was the case of the Thirteen Colonies which eventually formed the independent country known as the United States of America. On the other hand, it is notable that countries such as Costa Rica and Uruguay – which achieved independence around the same time as Haiti and the Dominican Republic – have certainly attained comparable or better economic conditions and quality of life when compared to those currently present in Puerto Rico.
The same way as the Thirteen Colonies (later known as the United States of America ), benefited from independence, Puerto Rico should not doubt that political sovereignty will give us the opportunity to tap on resources that have already been developed and nurtured under colonial rule. Afterall, those resources were developed once Puerto Rico was given a limited degree of self-government, after five decades of devastating dictatorial U.S. governors, hand-picked by the President of the United States.
To think that independence would turn the clock of history and bring back the levels of illiteracy which plagued our country at the turn of the Century; to think that by an act of magic our modern infrastructure will dissapear; to beleive that our universities will cease to exist, is an irrational underestimation of Puerto Rico’s capacity to, at the very least, maintain our present day achievements.
Statehood will bring real denocracy to Puerto Rico. There is no democracy under present condition due to the status argument.
Only register U.S. Citizens living in Puerto Rico shall be allow to vote.
The highest form of democracy is to allow Puerto Rico to develop its own democracy independently.
While some people would have you believe that independentistas are blood-thirsty warriors hell-bent on bringing America to its knees, nothing could be further from the truth.
Being Pro-Puerto Rico does not mean you are Anti-American.
There is absolutely no reason not to maintain excellent relations with the United States of America. There are plans to maintain unrestricted passport-free travel between the island and the U.S. mainland for a minimal period of 20 years, due to our particular situation of having almost as many Puerto Ricans living stateside as on the island.
It can only be a relationship of mutual respect and bilateral agreements entered into by two sovereign nations, and not based upon the imperial-colonial relationship presently in place.
Statehood, “enhanced” ELA, or Independence…what difference is it going to make? Is any of these political models going to improve our lives? The answer my friends is no! A “social makeover” is what we desperately need. We need to revolutionize the way we act and behave. We need to change our ways…please don’t get me wrong, I’m not talking about changing our culture, but our ways.
Somewhere along the way under all these colonial- like influences most of us started thinking of ourselves as an inferior kind, individuals who slowly but surely became permanent hand-outs recepients and got used to it. However, we just got too many professionals, college graduates, civic groups, and skilled workers, to let anyone influenced us or veer us wrongly. SOCIAL MAKEOVER NOW!!! Then, let’s worry about the political mumbo-jumbo.
Reality Check — For folks wanting Puerto Rico to become a State — see the nonstop language / culture problems in Quebec – mainly French and the rest of Canada – mainly English — a nonstop problem since the 1760s (repeat 1760s).
Perhaps much better to have 1 nation-state for ALL of the ex-empire islands (Spain, France, U.K., etc.) south of the U.S.A.?
Statehood Now!!
Nation Hood will bring real democracy to Puerto Rico. There is no democracy under present condition due to the status argument.
Grown up status for a grown up culture.
—— Donald Raymond Lake
jeff gordon Says:
June 23rd, 2009 at 6:50 am
“If Puerto Rico votes for independence say good bye to U.S citizenship,medicare,medicaid,social security,…” blah, blah, blah. Nothing like a propaganda of fears.
Am ready to trade all this right now for a Puerto Rican passport. There is more to life than handouts and of having an inferiority complex.
There are many who seek the “grandeur” of a US citizenship, but am ready to give mine away for the one which am entitled by history and nature. For above all.. am a Puerto Rican.
I would like to see the American people get the chance to vote on this matter. Puerto Rico may or may not want statehood, but I doubt that most Americans want to add PR as a state.
If PR becomes a state, it will be flooded with mainland Americans and the culture of PR will be dramatically changed. Hotels, resorts and theme parks will increase 10 times in ten years. Your sacred areas will be dug up and replaced with Wal-marts. Your homes will be lost by eminent domain. I hope folks realize that. As a former resident of Hawai’i, I have seen firsthand the destruction and loss of Hawaiian culture.
The most recent NAIP member survey completed last month included this very question. The results were:
59% Support PR Independence
24% Retain Commonwealth status
13% Support Statehood
4% Unsure/Don’t Know enough about it
et’s tackle one issue at a time, one of the more interesting topics that for years many of those who oppose state hood ala commonwealth, Independence. It feels that Puerto Rican culture will decline should PR becomes the 51st state. I have made the case that becoming a state ultimately would have an impact on our culture, and nothing positive can come out of it. I am inserting a piece on a thesis/Essay I have written to support how history can repeat itself, and how PR culture is no difference.
Lets take a look at the last 2 territories that join the union (Hawaii and Alaska). Both territories have certain things in common. Both are geographically separated from the US mainland. Both entering 20th century were populated mostly by Indigenous inhabitants and a mixture of other cultures. This link will show a timeline of how American government intervened to slowly abolish the native language of many Alaskans. http://www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF4/419.html
The population of “White Americans†increased rapidly once Alaska became part of the union January 3, 1959. Another side note: The annexation of Alaska was rapidly instituted due to the discovery of oil in Alaska. As of 2007, the population of Alaska consisted of mostly “White Americans†http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/02000.html.
In the case of Hawaii; in 1893 John L. Stevens lead a committee to overthrow the Hawaiian government. At the time 90% percent of the population was indigenous Hawaiian. In 1898, the percentage fell to 80%. In 1959, Hawaii was allowed into the union and the population of indigenous Hawaiians fell to an outstanding 50% Side note: Hawaiians are not allowed to play the Hawaiian national anthem as the main country anthem. The anthem can only be played after only can follow after the US national anthem. The national flag cannot be raised. Congress ensured that any territory joining the union is 2/3 “Americanâ€.
In 1993, newly elected president Bill Clinton had a letter read to the Congress apologizing to the native Hawaiians of an illegal takeover by United States, and its subsidies. http://www.hawaii-nation.org/congrec-house.html. What is very intriguing is that by 1993, Hawaii had only 30% indigenous Hawaiians, and 35% white Americans. If that is not a warning of what can happen in Puerto Rico just ask Native Hawaiians about their history.
For those who still argue that the decline of our culture won’t happen if Puerto Rico becomes a state, research Native Americans in modern United States. The decrease in the Native American population would indicate that a decline in our culture is inevitable.
The decrease in Native American population would indicate that a decline in our culture is inevitable.
Let’s examine common wealth the impact that can have on Puerto Rico on the long run, and what impact it had thru out history, the coomonwealth status is what most Puerto Ricans support. Puerto Rico continues to support commonwealth, however let’s look at certain examples how United States has used for its benefits. More or less united States are able to control most government policy that Puerto Rico has. It can be foreign policies, etc. but as you can see history has showed what United States main purpose has been with Puerto Rico, its definitely not one of progression, but one of experimental and deceive. As some you might know or not, 1931: Dr. Cornelius Rhoads, a pathologist, conducted a cancer experiment in Puerto Rico under the auspices of the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Investigations. Dr. Rhoads has been accused of purposely infecting his Puerto Rican subjects with cancer cells. Thirteen of the subjects died. A Puerto Rican physician uncovered the experiment an investigation covered-up the facts. Despite Rhoads’ hand written statements that the Puerto Rican population should be eradicated, Rhoads went on to establish U.S. Army Biological Warfare facilities in Maryland, Utah, and Panama, and was later named to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. Rhoads was also responsible for the radiation experiments on prisoners, hospital patients, and soldiers. The American Association for Cancer Research honored him by naming its exemplary scientist award the Cornelius Rhoads Award, if you think is conspiracy I am holding a copy of 1949 TIME magazine with DR.Rhoads on the cover when he conducted an interview in which he was quoted “The Porto Ricans (sic) are the dirtiest, laziest, most degenerate and thievish race of men ever to inhabit this sphere… I have done my best to further the process of extermination by killing off eight and transplanting cancer into several more… All physicians take delight in the abuse and torture of the unfortunate subjectsâ€.
Who is not to say that this cannot happen again, in fact I can point out that history has showed the United States continues to support such behaviors on the island using Puerto Ricans as subjects, let’s take another example. With out giving much explanation, as many should know that Puerto Rican women were subjects of sterilization thru out the 1950’s and 1970’s, in fact such grotest actions were documented by pbs.org the name of the documentary “The Pillâ€.. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/pill/peopleevents/e_puertorico.html.. y el otro documentario es .. http://www.ejumpcut.org/archive/onlinessays/JC29folder/AnaMariaGarciaInt.html..