https://time.com/6242054/house-pass...ico-to-vote-on-its-statehood-or-independence/ I have a pretty strong opinion on this. The best thing Puerto Rico could do for themselves economically is to remain a territory. The best thing the mainland USA could do for themselves (at least within the foreseeable future) is to let Puerto Rico go free. Puerto Rico and the other territories have a unique status that allow them to have separate tax policies. They could theoretically bring their income taxes to 0 and attract tons of investment. In my opinion, it would be wise for Puerto Rico to go this route. Since the USA taxes income on a citizenship basis (one of the few countries that does this), the territories are the only place where Americans can live and avoid paying federal income taxes while retaining citizenship. While it won't necessarily create high paying jobs for Puerto Ricans right away it will create more jobs than what's currently there and lay the groundwork for high paying jobs for Puerto Ricans should they pursue the education in these fields. By setting up a strong financial sector economy, the infrastructure will improve, crime situation will get better, and it could then entice other industries to jump in. The idea that Puerto Ricans are colonized second-class citizens, because they can't vote in Congress is quite frankly bullshit. They get plenty of aid without contributing to federal taxes. They have the reliability of the dollar which is one of the strongest currencies in the entire world. The reality about Puerto Rico is they don't have a ton of valuable natural resources like Alaska does with oil. The territory doesn't blend with the rest of the American economy, because they don't speak English. Their universities are subpar and the economy isn't diverse enough where you'd expect top schools to emerge. Arguably, the worst thing about the Puerto Rican status for Puerto Ricans is the brains/top human capital go to the mainland and if they become a state that won't change one bit. If you look at Hawaii, the economy is fueled by tourism. Puerto Rico has a much larger population than Hawaii, but will never, ever have tourism industry of HI. It's naturally no where near as beautiful, unique, or exotic. It won't attract many international travelers like Hawaii does from Asia. Right now on most cruises it's just a port stop for the day to check out a rum company. There are much more beautiful locations in the Caribbean. Combine this all with a corrupt territorial government that makes you wonder where all the money goes and no wonder the economy is far below that of Hawaii's. Statehood won't fix any of these problems.
Great fucking news.Make PR,DC and the other territories states The GOP wont have The Senate for 100 years minimum,likely never again. How great this country would be if The GOP never had The Senate again.GOP could never pass a bill,never have The Supreme Court etc. Just make DC and PR states and thats at least 4 permanent Democrat Senate seats. Making DC,PR and the other territories states should have been a Democrat priority long ago.
Make PR,DC and the other territories states thats also more Democrat electoral college votes and House seats.Mind boggling this hasn't been a Dem priority for decades.
That 97% result was a boycotted referendum. Puerto Ricans are much more divided on the issue. Even the non-boycotted referendums had low turnouts. The last one was in 2020 at 52%, but only .7/3.2 million Puerto Ricans weighed in. Statehood would be devasting for Puerto Ricans as they would have to pay much, much higher taxes and follow laws that don't fit their economy. For example, a $15 minimum wage might work on the mainland, but in Puerto Rico that policy would be insane. The GDP/capita is roughly the minimum wage over the course of 52 weeks/year at 40 hours/week. I still believe in the Maryland compromise for DC.
In 2020 60% of Puerto Ricans on The Island say they would vote for Biden if they could,23% said Trump.
Dems should give them a simple choice.US Statehood or you're own your own,(No longer a US territory.)My bet would be they choose statehood.
55% Biden,17% Trump in another.MAKE PUERTO A STATE!!! Along with the for sure 2 Dem Senate seats I just read they would likely get 7 electoral votes The GOP EC advantage,Senate advantage(50 Dem Senators represented 40 million more people than 50 GOP Senators) and gerrymandering needs to end.PR as a state starts that process.
Because of the partisan divide, it's dead for the next decade. However, Democrats selling statehood as if it's in the best interest to Puerto Ricans are lying to them. It's in the best interest for their majority. In reality, it severely restricts Puerto Rico's economic freedom.
Likely.They could have did it under Obamas or Bidens first term.If DC and PR statehood had happened under Obama all the damage done under Trump and his Supreme Court would have been prevented as Trump and McConnell would not have had The Senate with 4 DC and PR Senators. This is one of the reasons Im so frustrated with The Democrat party.