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Puerto Rico is an archipelago that is located over a thousand miles southeast of Florida. Even though it is considered a part of the US and its citizens are indeed US citizens who use US currency for transactions, there are still some important rights that this state lacks when compared to other states.
Much of this fiasco is accredited to the history of the Spanish American War at the later end of the 19th century. Since then, there have been many efforts, recently in the United Nations Organizations, to either give complete autonomy to Puerto Rico or make it the 51st state of the United State of America.
The biggest problem with this issue is that it is not that simple. The history of war and indifference from the US to its remote state makes it more complicated than it should have been. Instead of making a one-sided stance, it is best to explore both pros and cons of the idea before concluding what should become of this archipelago in Latin America.
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Why Puerto Rico Should Become A State
For a long time, the people and state want that Puerto Rico should become a state. But still, it is not enjoying a status that the rest of the fifty states enjoy.
The proponents of the idea that Puerto Rican statehood has many solid arguments, such as what happens if Puerto Rico becomes a state:
- Removal of Inequality
- Better Economic Prospects
- Representation In Legislature
- Integration for the US States
- Removal of Inequality
Even though the modern name for Puerto Rico suggests that it is a freely associated state, its actual status is that of an unincorporated territory. The US acquired Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Philippines from Spain in 1898. Out of these territories, only Puerto Rico has yet to have a clear and modern status.
This represents an oppressive inequality toward many Puerto Ricans which are around 3.1 million because they are entitled to those rights that are given to residents of other states. Those rights include;
- D-SNAP – a special food stamp program for victims of natural disasters.
- Discrimination in family tax credits and Medicaid.
Allowing the citizens of Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rican government to participate in all federal programs of the US will help both if it should become the 51st state. In recent times, Puerto Rico faced an imminent fall in the form of a bankruptcy-like situation. Then, the US helped the state out through settlement.
The most baffling thing about this inequality is that there is no explanation as to why it exists and when will it end.
Better Economic Growth
Since the US Civil War, every territory from Latin America that became a part of the US gained a strong economic position. This will be true for Puerto Rico. After being integrated with the US mainstream economy, it will automatically rebuild itself.
With better economic prospects, Puerto Rico will never have to rely on harmful tax loopholes to replenish its economy. Instead;
- Being part of the US means the Puerto Ricans will surely enjoy more tourism opportunities than it is enjoying now.
- More avenues for entrepreneurial and business ventures will open for Puerto Ricans which means more local jobs for the residents.
- Better health care and education facilities for Puerto Ricans lead to economic growth.
Puerto Rico is in an awkward position where it is a US dominion but her residents do not enjoy full rights. In this scenario, the most logical and humane solution is to get Puerto Rico into the US fold.
Representation in Legislature
At this moment, Puerto Rico does not have representation in the US legislature as other states have. In simple terms, Puerto Ricans do not have a say in matters that directly affects its territory, including federal issues. Unfortunately, there is only one Puerto Rican congressional representative. He can introduce bills and serve on committees but he cannot vote, even for Puerto Rican statehood.
The results of this under-representation of Puerto Rico are as follows:
- Puerto Ricans cannot vote in US elections as they are not represented by voting members of Congress.
- Lack of aid in times of disaster and natural calamities. For instance, Hurricane Maria.
There is one thing that is common between Puerto Rico and other US states – they cannot declare bankruptcy. In the retrospect, if it was a state, the US government wouldn’t have allowed multinationals and other powers to exploit the archipelago.
Due to these practices, Puerto Ricans reached a bankruptcy-like status after years of recession.
If Puerto Rico became a state, the Puerto Rico citizens would have all the political rights and perks, and benefits that residents of other states enjoy.
Integration for US States
Throughout the history of the US, the integration of the states has always brought economic prosperity, better interior, and exterior security for the nation as a whole. In the case of Puerto Rico becoming a state, the residents will have better opportunities to improve their lives with an improved tax structure and humane aid programs.
In every way, integrating Puerto Rico with the rest of the US is best for both parties.
Puerto Rico will become part of the other fifty states and can do business without added roadblocks. The potential benefits call for agility in making the necessary business deals with Puerto Ricans.
Reasons Why Puerto Rico Should Not Become A State
The arguments to make Puerto Rico a state are may be true to some extent, but they do not address all aspects. There is a substantial majority present in both the US and in Puerto Rico that believes it is better off for both entities if Puerto Rico does not become a state.
So, here are some of the reasons why Puerto Rico should not become a state:
- Loss of Identity & Language
- Payment of Federal Taxes
- Statistical Complexities
- Loss of Identity & Language
Puerto Rico, even with its unclear, non-conventional status, holds a distinct place in the international arena. Puerto Ricans take part in international events such as the Olympics and beauty pageants like Miss Universe.
If Puerto Rico becomes a state of the US, it may lose its status. For instance, a simple complaint from the US could cost Puerto Rico its position in such stages.
In reality, it is far from the truth. The place in these events is free from the political association.
Some skeptics believe that with the integration of Puerto Rico as a state of the US, it will lose its language as well as its iconic Puerto Rican culture. The predominant majority of the US speaks English while Puerto Rico speaks Spanish.
Language has never been a requisite for a territory, such as Puerto Rico, to become a state. For instance, more people speak Spanish in the US than that in Spain itself. There is a large population of Spanish-speaking people and they have nothing to worry about. Many states even have two official languages.
So, there is no way Puerto Rico could lose its language or the US would suddenly have linguistic problems due to the integration of Puerto Rican citizens.
Payment of Federal Taxes
In reality, Puerto Rico is not in a position to pay federal income tax. It is because a majority of its population earns below the threshold where it becomes obligatory to pay taxes. So, residents of the island do not have to worry about paying taxes overnight in case it becomes a state.
Still, as the economy would improve with the integration, Puerto Rico will pay taxes which will help the US in terms of revenue generated from Puerto Rico’s statehood.
Statistical Complexities
Most of the statistical analysis done in the US is carried out without accounting for Puerto Rico. If it becomes a state, suddenly the national poverty, crime rate, and other key numbers will go up. This could raise alarms for people in the administration of the US who want to bring Puerto Rico into the fold but are afraid of things spiraling out of hand.
The truth is, all of this is relative and statistics may show an increase in all of the negative indicators in the short term, the picture will be much improved in the long term with Puerto Rico as a state.
Conclusion
Puerto Rico has a long-troubled history. Since its acquisition by the US at the end of the 19th century after Spanish American War, Puerto Rico is facing an identity crisis. It is neither a state nor independent from the US. In recent times, there have been movements and legislation to either grant statehood to Puerto Rico or allow it in becoming independent and make all of its decisions on its own.
We have taken a critical look at the reasons for making it either a state or keeping it that way. It is safe to conclude that it is in the best interests of both Puerto Rico and the US that the former becomes a state of the latter. This is the only way to bring representation, economic prosperity, and satisfaction to Puerto Rico as well as the US.
Sources:
- https://www.britannica.com/story/why-is-puerto-ricos-political-status-so-complicated
- https://www.pr51st.com/puerto-rico-statehood-pros-and-cons/
- https://www.history.com/news/puerto-rico-statehood
- https://www.procon.org/headlines/dc-and-puerto-rico-statehood/