Will Puerto Rico Become the 51st State?

Saturday, June 27, 2009
51-state flag

Update: Puerto Ricans Vote to become U.S. State

The United States has controlled Puerto Rico for 110 years, yet American lawmakers have never bothered to ask Puerto Ricans what they want to do about their future. But a bill currently in Congress would do just that, by conducting a two-part referendum on the island to help determine if it should become the 51st state.

 
If Congress gives the okay, the first plebiscite would ask Puerto Ricans (those living on the island or those born there but now living in the U.S.) whether they would like to change their political status. If a majority says yes, then a second plebiscite would be held offering three options: independence, independence with a special association with the United States (commonwealth) or statehood.
 
The U.S. took control of Puerto Rico after the Spanish-American War in 1898, and granted Puerto Ricans U.S. citizenship in 1917. Although the island does have a representative in Congress, that official has no voting power, and Puerto Ricans are not allowed to vote in American presidential elections and they pay no federal income taxes.
 
Pedro Pierluisi, Puerto Rico’s congressional representative, argues that a congressionally ordered referendum would have more weight than past plebiscites and force Washington to take action on the island’s status. Previous local elections that asked Puerto Ricans what they want to do about their island’s status have resulted in deadlocks between those who favor statehood and those wanting commonwealth status. Only a small percentage has expressed interest in complete independence.
 
The 2008 Republican Party platform supported statehood for Puerto Rico, if its citizens voted for the option. The Democratic Party platform was more vague, but acknowledged the right of Puerto Rican self-determination. If Puerto Rico does become the 51st state, it would rank 27th in population between Kentucky and Oregon.
-Noel Brinkerhoff
 
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Comments

Jose M Lopez Sierra 8 years ago
La Segunda Marcha Oscar – Mandela en Nueva York 2015 Tendremos nuestra 2da Marcha Oscar – Mandela en Nueva York el lunes, 22 de junio de 2015. Empezaremos a marchar pacíficamente a las 9 AM desde Hunter College, en la calle 68 y Avenida Lexington, hasta la Calle 43. Haremos una izquierda para continuar marchando en dirección Este para llegar al parque Ralph Bunche (al otro lado de la Organización de Naciones Unidas). Allí, repartiremos hojas sueltas para orientar al público sobre nuestro prisionero político Oscar Lopez Rivera y la relación colonial ente el gobierno de Estados Unidos y Puerto Rico. Estaremos en el parque hasta las 5 PM. La mayoría de la gente no sabe que, todos los años, usualmente el lunes después del Día de los Padres, la Organización de Naciones Unidas (ONU) celebra una vista para discutir la descolonización de Puerto Rico. Los peticionarios usualmente se unen a nuestra protesta después que terminan sus ponencias. La ONU determinó en el 1960, que el colonialismo es un crimen en contra de la humanidad. Desde entonces, la ONU ha emitido 33 resoluciones pidiéndole al gobierno de Estados Unidos (EEUU) que descolonice inmediatamente a Puerto Rico. EEUU ha ignorado esta voluntad de la comunidad internacional. ¿Qué tipo de democracia es eso? El gobierno de Estados Unidos trata de mantener nuestra relación colonial la más secreta posible. Lo que nosotros estamos tratando de hacer es sacarla del closet. La ONU está en su tercera década tratando de erradicar el colonialismo del mundo. ¡Por favor, ayudemos! La mayoría de gente tampoco no sabe que el Gobierno de Estados Unidos le saca 14 veces más dinero de lo que invierte en Puerto Rico. ¡Pero, para eso son las colonias! Esta explotación salvaje le impide a Puerto Rico ofrecerle oportunidades a los puertorriqueños en Puerto Rico. Por eso es que tenemos más puertorriqueños afuera de su isla que adentro. Oscar López Rivera ha estado encarcelado por 34 años por su lucha para descolonizar a su país. Por ser un crimen (el colonialismo), la ley internacional le da a Oscar el derecho de usar todo los medios necesarios para descolonizar a su nación. Nelson Mandela estuvo 27 años encarcelado por hacer exactamente lo mismo que Oscar. Por eso decimos, ¡Oscar López Rivera es nuestro Nelson Mandela! Compañeros Unidos para la Descolonización de Puerto Rico invita al público a ser parte del tsunami de gente que será necesario para obligar al gobierno de Estados Unidos a excarcelar a Oscar y a descolonizar a Puerto Rico. ¡Nuestras protestas anuales son absolutamente necesarias porque, los que mantienen colonias no creen en la justicia para todos! José M López Sierra, www.TodosUnidosDescolonizarPR.blogspot.com 787-429-1981
Jose M Lopez Sierra 9 years ago
Why does Puerto Rico have a higher voter turnout than USA? Puerto Ricans have a voter turnout of about 80%. The United States (US) citizens have a voter turnout of about 50%. What accounts for this 30 % disparity? Could it be that Puerto Rican believe in democracy more than US mainland citizens? Puerto Rico is a colony of the United States since 1898. Since that time, Puerto Ricans who have wanted to decolonize their country have been either assassinated or imprisoned. Many Puerto Ricans are terrified of independence for Puerto Rico as a result of 116 years of repression. Since colonialism is always for exploitation, there are no opportunities in Puerto Rico for Puerto Ricans. That is why there are now more Puerto Ricans out, than in Puerto Rico. Therefore, Puerto Ricans are desperate to find a political solution to our eternal colonialism! Most Puerto Ricans believe that decolonization can be achieved through the electoral process. But the electoral process is ultimately under the control of the government of the United States. Since the US government has ignored 33 United Nations resolutions asking it to immediately decolonize Puerto Rico, and it has maintained incarcerated Puerto Rico political prisoner Oscar López Rivera for 33 years despite worldwide support to free him, there should be no doubt that the US government will never allow decolonization via the electoral process. If it were possible to do it that way, we would not have it! The better way to decolonize is for that 80% of the Puerto Rico voter turnout to instead protest in the streets to demand our inalienable right to self-determination and independence, and insist that the UN do the decolonization in conformity to international law. After all, colonialism is within the jurisdiction of international law and never under national law. That is why it is a crime against humanity to have a colony under international law, but not so under US law. José M López Sierra www.TodosUnidosDescolonizarPR.blogspot.com
Jose M Lopez Sierra 9 years ago
Dear Partner, Since the United Nations determined in 1960 that colonialism is a crime against humanity, there is no longer a need for plebiscites. The solution is to give Puerto Rico her sovereignty. But being the United States government does not want to, it continues to advocate the use of plebiscites to find out what Puerto Ricans want. Even if 100% of Puerto Ricans would want to continue being a US colony, Puerto Rico would still be obligated to accept her sovereignty to then decide what she wants to do. The only thing these plebiscites are good for is to divide Puerto Ricans. A Puerto Rican didn’t invade us to make us a colony. When will we understand that we need to unite? This is why we must peacefully protest at least 3 times a year until Puerto Rico is decolonized! José M López Sierra www.TodosUnidosDescolonizarPR.blogspot.com
Jose M Lopez Sierra 9 years ago
Dear Partner, Since the United Nations determined in 1960 that colonialism is a crime against humanity, there is no longer a need for plebiscites. The solution is to give Puerto Rico her sovereignty. But being the United States government does not want to, it continues to advocate the use of plebiscites to find out what Puerto Ricans want. Even if 100% of Puerto Ricans would want to continue being a US colony, Puerto Rico would still be obligated to accept her sovereignty to then decide what she wants to do. The only thing these plebiscites are good for is to divide Puerto Ricans. A Puerto Rican didn’t invade us to make us a colony. When will we understand that we need to unite? This is why we must peacefully protest at least 3 times a year until Puerto Rico is decolonized! José M López Sierra www.TodosUnidosDescolonizarPR.blogspot.com
Jose M Lopez Sierra 10 years ago
Saludos, Tenemos que trabajar juntos para descolonizar a Puerto Rico y excarcelar a Oscar Lopez Rivera. Habra una protesta pacifica en las afueras de la ONU este 17 de junio 2013. Te esperamos! Un abrazo, Jose www.TodosUnidosDescolonizarPR.blogspot.com
Uomo Del Ghiaccio 11 years ago
We the People allows anyone to create and sign petitions asking the Obama Administration to take action on a range of issues. If a petition gets enough support, the Obama Administration will issue an official response. You can view and sign the petition here: http://wh.gov/fdHF Here's some more information about this petition: Puerto Rico Statehood Act on the 2012 Statehood vote in Puerto Rico and begin the process to admit Puerto Rico to the Union as a State.
new pr beed 11 years ago
Freedom is not free, Puerto Ricans have been fighting wars for USA many yrs now, why should they not become a State. Puerto Ricans have come a long way but, we still have lots of work to do. My Parents were born in Puerto Rico and they have given me the american dream. Puerto Rico is a beutiful island with lots places and things to do. Stand up PR its time for change. I lov my people, and I am puerto rican. Freedom is not free
Jose Lopez 11 years ago
Dear Partner, Greetings! Those who accept colonialism believe in discrimination. Now that we know that the political parties will not solve this problem, I invite you to join the non-violent protest to demand that the United States (US) decolonize Puerto Rico (PR) immediately. It will be on Monday, June 17, 2013 from 8 AM to 5 PM outside the United Nations (UN) visitor’s entrance located on 46th Street and First Avenue in New York City. The UN has determined that colonialism is a crime against humanity in 1960 under Resolution 1514 (XV). That’s why the UN celebrates every year a hearing about Puerto Rico decolonization. Every year the UN puts forth a resolution asking the US to decolonize PR. Despite 30 of these resolutions, PR is still the oldest and most populated colony in the world! It is obvious by now that the US is not going to decolonize PR just because the UN asks. Through education, we must create a domestic and international solidarity with this cause to pressure the US to do what historically she has refused to do. This is why we need everyone who also believes that colonialism is a crime against humanity to join the protest to demand compliance to international law! Puerto Rico has been a colony of the US for 114 years. The US’ intention is to keep PR a colony forever unless we do something about it. It is important to note that: democracy isn’t what a government does. Democracy is what people do! President John F. Kennedy said, “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice anywhere.” These ideas, of course, are the reasons why the United Nations was created after World War II. It is up to us to defend the fundamental human rights that promote world peace. The tragedy of doing nothing is that we will have the kind of government that we deserve! Sincerely, José M. López Sierra For more information: www.TodosUnidosDescolonizarPR.blogspot.com Compañeros Unidos para la Descolonización de Puerto Rico
MikiPR 12 years ago
@scott my dude puero rico does pay taxes but not federal taxes..the reason they dont pay federal taxes is because they dont get the sam government aid as we do//that being said puerto rico becoming a state would greatly benefit the people of puerto rico...dalee love pr and the people of pr deserve the same priveleges we have..
Felipe 12 years ago
fuck you scott :p. i'm puertorican & i say it should become a state so clueless would stop saying that we are illegal immigrants cuz that gets annoying -.-

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