Statehood essays

Statehood essays Not many Americans think or know about Puerto Rico and the situation they are thinking about every day. Im sure a few Americans dont know Puerto Rico could be the 51st state of America. Their lack of awareness may change only when they discover that the flag has changed to fit 51 stars. From what I read and know there are three choices Puerto Rico is looking at and the debate will continue for many years; Commonwealth, Statehood, or Independence. The Islands political status has been an issue since the U.S. victory over the Spanish in the Spanish-American War of 1898. Puerto Rico has been a Commonwealth of United States for over fifty years. It gives them a right to receive Federal Aid but the citizens could not vote for President. Puerto Ricans were made U.S. citizens and eligible for the draft in 1917 with the Jones Act, but did not get a right to send representatives to Congress. Because of the Islands strategic position, U.S. has a great interest in keeping population contempt and stable. If the Commonwealth continues, Puerto Ricans could preserve their identity, language, and culture and still receive financial support and protection from U.S. government. By totally separating and becoming Independent, Puerto Rico may possibly submit into poverty. Natural resources are virtually absent on the island and manufacturing is owned by many foreign corporations. The population is not educated enough to compete with the more developed countries and will fail. Raising a national military force from nothing and opening embassies around the world are very difficult and expensive tasks, which are unlikely to be achieved. Tourism from U.S. and other western countries is a big contribution to local income. Independence will create a difficulty to travel and continue to have tourism on the island of Puerto Rico. Furthermore, if Independence was such a strong issue, than some kind of rebellion would have taken ...