For those unaware, Puerto Rico is an island in the Carribean about 1000 miles from Miami, FL. We acquired it as a colony from Spain after the Spanish-American War in 1898. It is slightly smaller than Connecticut and has about 4 million inhabitants. All Puerto Ricans became US Citizens in 1917 and can freely travel back and forth to the US mainland. Many Puerto Ricans have bravely fought and died in the US military since 1898.
From WWII until the 1970s, Puerto Rico did quite well for itself. With some tax incentives, the economy grew at an admirable rate as did the islanders' education levels. Then, the handouts started. The US and Puerto Rican governments ruined the territory. Please read this article called "Trouble on Welfare Island" (The Economist, May 27, 2006): http://www.puertorico.com/forums/politics/20539-trouble-welfare-island-article.html
That article sums up how we once encouraged the inhabitants to prosper, then ruined them. It is horrible that more Puerto Ricans live on the US mainland than in Puerto Rico itself. That should tell you about conditions and opportunities there. Nothing short of a complete overhaul will turn that island around. This needs to be done by the Puerto Ricans themselves, without our meddling. The feds have done enough.
I fully support the Puerto Ricans who want to vote for independence. If they ever vote for independence, I say "God speed and good luck to you." Other than the Puerto Ricans who live on the mainland, I don't see what that island gives us. The "Welfare Island" is a sucking chest wound. I do NOT support statehood. Of course, I don't think Hawaii should be a state either (geography).
One foreseeable problem with independence will be the US citizenship of the Puerto Ricans. They'll just have to cut it off after a certain date (i.e. nobody born after the independence vote, or similar). You may also see mass immigration to the US mainland before they get cut off from federal programs. That's their right and there's no stopping it.
Here are some other useful links for Puerto Rico information: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/RQ.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Rico
Thoughts on setting Puerto Rico free?
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Nice article and well put, I agree.
ReplyDeleteWhat about the areas of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the Virgin Islands? Also, you forgot to include anything about their rights to vote for our President (Yes, they do have to live in 1 of the 50 states at the time of voting.)
Question... Why does geography play a part? According to your stance, then Alaska should not be a State either (goodbye Palin). And if Alaska and Hawaii leave, so will Texas. Also if geography is an issue Washington DC should be a state. Maybe they can be classified as a "Dwarf State", kind of like Pluto!
The short answer is there's no large movement in these territories to separate and they aren't big enough to become states. Guam provides a strategic point for us to stage forces on the edge of Asia and they speak English. I think the Marianas and Virgin Islands can leave too. I don't know if their governments are as screwed up as PR or if the Feds have screwed up the populations there too. It's worth looking at.
ReplyDeleteAlaska is not contiguous with the lower 48, but it's at least on the same continent and it's defendable as long as Canada is a friend, as opposed to Hawaii. Besides, Alaska has a lot of strategically important land that is full of natural resources. It's the best purchase the US made since the Louisiana Purchase.
I'm in DC. No way does it deserve to be a state, nor should it continue to call itself "Washington DC." George Washington would be ashamed to know his name is attached to this town. It is not defendable, and it's governing system is a joke. It shouldn't have been created. The capital should move. It can be done... Brazil and India did it in the '60s.
I recommend somewhere in West Virginia... Parkersburg or Clarksburg. If the capital wasn't Charleston, that town would be perfect.