Puerto Rico: The 51st State
Puerto Rico is an island in the Caribbean Sea. It is 3,515 sq mi and has a population of 4 million. It is currently a territory of the United States. However, Puerto Rico is like a state in many ways. The government is set up like a state in the U.S. would be, the federal court system is incorporated in to the Puerto Rican legal system, and the U.S. military has an active presence on the island (Paulose). Because of the relationship with the United States and the possible effects of statehood, Puerto Rico should cease being treated as a commonwealth and become the 51st state.
Puerto Rico has had a long history with the United States. At the beginning of the Spanish-American War, Puerto Rico was a Spanish colony. On May 12, 1898, San Juan was bombarded by American ships. On the 25th of June, the U.S.S. Yosemite blockaded the port of San Juan. American forces landed on the island on July 25th. On the 13th of August, all fighting on Puerto Rico ceased due to the armistice between the United States and Spain, and on December 10, Puerto Rico had been ceded to the United States (United States).
Since the end of the Spanish-American War, the United States has kept watch over Puerto Rico. The Organic Act of 1900 established civil government and free commerce between Puerto Rico and the United States; in 1902, Puerto Rico is declared a territory of the United States. Fast forward to 1941, the United States established military bases on the islands of Culebra and Vieques, west of Puerto Rico. In 1950, President Harry Truman signed the Public Act 600, which allowed Puerto Rico to draft its own constitution. In 1952, the Constitution of Puerto Rico was approved by congress and the president. Puerto Rico referred itself as an Estado Libre Asociado, translated in English means “commonwealth” (Rivera).
Remaining a commonwealth, however, is not what every Puerto Rican wants. At a referendum held in Puerto Rico in 1967, a majority of Puerto Ricans voted to continue being a commonwealth. Another referendum in 1993 showed that 46.3% of Puerto Ricans wanted Puerto Rico to become a state, 48.6% wanted to remain a commonwealth, and 4.4% wanted Puerto Rico to become an independent nation (Irizarry). It would seem that as time goes on, more and more Puerto Ricans are in favor of statehood. After all, the advantages for both Puerto Rico and the United States might outweigh the disadvantages.
Puerto Rico would have a lot to gain from becoming a state. Puerto Rico would be able to vote in the presidential election; currently, Puerto Ricans are only allowed to vote in the primaries. Being able to vote for the Republican and Democratic presidential candidates but not being able to vote in presidential elections is pointless. Puerto Rico would also have representatives in both houses of the United States Congress. This would give the island more “power” in government than it currently has. The only disadvantage would be Puerto Rico's loss of pride (Irizarry). Puerto Rico would have to compete with the other fifty states to enter the Olympics or the Miss Universe pageant, this about guarantees that that fewer Puerto Ricans will be able to bring admiration to the island.
The United States' benefits and disadvantages would economical. Presently, Puerto Rico only pays state taxes. Upon becoming a state, it would also pay federal taxes. This would increase the United States' tax revenue, which means more money for the government to spend. But, Puerto Rico has a lower standard of living and a higher unemployment rate than any state in the U.S (U.S. English). Bringing Puerto Rico on par with the rest of the United States could cost a great deal of money. This may be expensive compared with Puerto Rico's other alternatives.
Statehood is not the only avenue for Puerto Rico. A small portion of the population favors independence. However, these people have socialist views. Because the island has come into contact with American culture, socialism is not encouraged. Another direction for Puerto Rico is to remain a commonwealth. It's been working out great for Puerto Rico. The United States protects the island with its military and the U.S. government can't collect federal taxes. Why change the status quo?
For over a hundred years, the United States has had control over Puerto Rico. Whether Puerto Rico will become a state or not is still being debated. Statehood would bring benefits to both Puerto Rico and the United Sates. Independence for Puerto Rico is not popular, but it still has a voice. Then there's remaining a territory of the United States, keeping the status quo. However, since the United States has had a bond with Puerto Rico and American culture has swept over the island in the form of tourism and government, Puerto Rico should become the 51st state.
Works Cited
Irizarry, Johnny, et al. “Resistance in Paradise: Rethinking 100 Years of U.S. Involvement in the Caribbean and the Pacific.” 1998. Web. 29 Nov. 2009.
Paulose, Regina. “Should Puerto Rico remain a US territory or become the 51st state?” Helium. Web. 24 November 2009.
Rivera, Magaly, ed. Welcome to Puerto Rico. Web. 29 Nov. 2009.
United States. Library of Congress. “Chronology of Puerto Rico in the Spanish-American War.” loc.gov. Library of Congress, n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2009.
U.S. English Foundation Research. U.S. English Foundation, Inc. Web. 29 Nov. 2009.
