The reality is "just because you're an independent nation, doesn't mean you're truly independent'.

I don't believe commonwealth has really hurt them. They enjoy a pretty modern country with good infrastructure and access to 2 territories.

I'm sure your stats are true sicario, I'm actually surprised some of the numbers aren't a bit higher. But anyway, your statement pretty much sums up what I've been trying to say. The U.S. has been giving PR the choice as to what status they'd like to keep, but eventually the U.S. might just make them become independent against their will.

yea it might be agaisnt their will. But lets say YOU were puerto rican JEM... what would you go for..and why ? independance or statehood...?
* remeber i posted the pros and cons on my first post, so considering those pros and cons what do you think would be YOUR choice as a puerto rican.

This is definitely true, puerto ricos economy is almost 100% dependent on the US. 90% of exports and almost 60% of imports are to the US. plus their economy depends on money from the US goverment i quoted an article that says a little more about puerto ricos dependance.

"By some economists Puerto Rico's economy is considered somewhat fictitious. Puerto Rico has very few natural resources of economic value and its economy relies mainly on Federal Aid from the United States Government, which depends on the industrialization programs and the tax incentives that U.S. offers. "

Sicario, If I were Rican, I would probably favor statehood over independence because becoming independent would mean no more federal benefits from the U.S. as they have now. PR would become a third world country! Sorry to sound redundant with this, but all I'm saying is that Ricans should keep in mind that the U.S. might not allow for them to remain a commonwealth forever, in other words, the choice might not always be up to them as it has been now.

That's what I've been attempting to insinuate but as far as statehood is concerned, simply that even if the statehood option wins in some proposed future ballot that won't necessarily mean that PR will become a state. The ultimate decision for statehood is not up to the Puerto Rican people.

ciby I know you will be very unhappy when Puerto Rico becomes a state like Alaska and Hawaii before it but you will get over it ...It is inevitable ....It would be difficult no Impossible to refuse the wishes of the Puerto Rican people ....There is only two choices Statehood or Independence and you can forget about the latter..VIVA PUERTO RICO de los Estados Unidos

Why on earth would I be unhappy? I find this subject interesting but whatever the outcome of puerto rico's future potitical status it will illicit no emotional response from me. It's not my country and they are not my people. But regardless of how YOU feel the puerto rican majority can vote for statehood in a monthly plebiscite from here to kingdom come but the ultimate decision will not rest with them. If you don't beleive me I suggest you take a gander at the US Constitution.

Puerto Rico will never separate from the U.S. The vast majority of Puerto Ricans want to either become a state or remain as a commonwealth. There’s only, If I recall correctly, like 2 or 3% of the population that is actually registered as independentista party for elections and such. If it came to a forced choice of either separate or become a state they would most likely go for statehood. As far as paying taxes go, since I pay taxes in Puerto Rico, I can tell you that they’re a B#TCH here. I pay just as much or more in PR Taxes as I did in the states. Most likely the local taxes would lower to an equivalent level with other states, so paying federal taxes would be no big deal. Since the feds would then be supplying money for infrastructure and services that they don’t currently supply, most people would be better off. As far as making English a first language that is not true. There is no law that states people have to speak English. The only place where people are expected to speak English is in some Federal Government offices and tourist areas. It would actually make it more likely that the U.S. would have a legitimate reason to make Spanish a secondary official language (although not holding my breath). Someone previously used Hawaii as an example of the evil anglos taking over, well.. to be blunt people from the U.S. already have the right to move here and work just like they would in any state of the U.S. so I doubt that PR would suffer the same problems that Hawaii had with Anglos owning all the best land and such. It’s not like there’s a whole lot of agriculture here anyway. The only thing they’re likely to own is hotels and other companies which is already the case. Now the problem is why would the U.S. want PR…… It would just be a headache and cost a lot of money to upgrade the current governmental systems, transit, and other infrastructure and there’s very little return. As far as how would it effect the DR. If they become a state, no major change. If they were to separate the DR would have to deal with the Rican government directly for any type of political or trade agreements, etc. Apart from that, well then the boat people will have to float north and hit Florida or go through PR to the U.S.V.I !!!

Aissedei:

I'd like to know what makes you think that the majority of PRicans that vote for commonwealth, would vote for statehood? Why wouldnt they be on the fence leaning towards statehood instead of independance?

For e.g. if you take (no insult to the PR's) a field slave and ask him would he like to continue being a field slave, be a house slave or FREE ! Not knowing what Freedom papers would mean to him or what to do, some would choose house negro bcs it mwant less hard labor and better living conditions...... however, if the choice would be between field slave or freedom .. freedom would be obvious choice.....

Im just not convinced that they would go statehood......

I just cant picture a victory party yelling out YES , WE'VE BECOME A STATE !!! THE CHAINS HAVE BEEN BROKEN !!!!


but then again I'm a wierd dude !