Puerto Rico: The 51st State
Puerto Rico is an island in the Caribbean Sea. It is 3,515 sq myocardial infarction and has a population of 4 million. It is presently a district of the United States. However, Puerto Rico is like a province in many ways. The authorities is set up like a province in the U.S. would be, the federal tribunal system is incorporated in to the Puerto Rican legal system, and the U.S. armed forces 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 discontinue being treated as a commonwealth and go the 51st province.
Puerto Rico has had a long history with the United States. At the beginning of the Spanish-American War, Puerto Rico was a Spanish settlement. 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 contending on Puerto Rico ceased due to the cease-fire between the United States and Spain, and on December 10, Puerto Rico had been ceded to the United States ( United States ) .
Since the terminal of the Spanish-American War, the United States has kept ticker over Puerto Rico. The Organic Act of 1900 established civil authorities and free commercialism between Puerto Rico and the United States ; in 1902, Puerto Rico is declared a district of the United States. Fast frontward 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 outline its ain fundamental law. 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 ) .
Staying a commonwealth, nevertheless, is non what every Puerto Rican wants. At a referendum held in Puerto Rico in 1967, a bulk of Puerto Ricans voted to go on being a commonwealth. Another referendum in 1993 showed that 46.3 % of Puerto Ricans wanted Puerto Rico to go a province, 48.6 % wanted to stay a commonwealth, and 4.4 % wanted Puerto Rico to go an independent state ( Irizarry ) . It would look that as clip goes on, more and more Puerto Ricans are in favour of statehood. After all, the advantages for both Puerto Rico and the United States might outweigh the disadvantages.
Puerto Rico would hold a batch to derive from going a province. Puerto Rico would be able to vote in the presidential election ; presently, Puerto Ricans are merely allowed to vote in the primaries. Bing able to vote for the Republican and Democratic presidential campaigners but non being able to vote in presidential elections is unpointed. Puerto Rico would besides hold representatives in both houses of the United States Congress. This would give the island more “power” in authorities than it presently has. The lone disadvantage would be Puerto Rico ‘s loss of pride ( Irizarry ) . Puerto Rico would hold to vie with the other 50 provinces to come in the Olympics or the Miss Universe pageant, this about warrants that that fewer Puerto Ricans will be able to convey esteem to the island.
The United States ‘ benefits and disadvantages would economical. Presently, Puerto Rico merely pays province revenue enhancements. Upon going a province, it would besides pay federal revenue enhancements. This would increase the United States ‘ revenue enhancement gross, which means more money for the authorities to pass. But, Puerto Rico has a lower criterion of life and a higher unemployment rate than any province in the U.S ( U.S. English ) . Bringing Puerto Rico on par with the remainder of the United States could be a great trade of money. This may be expensive compared with Puerto Rico ‘s other options.
Statehood is non the lone avenue for Puerto Rico. A little part of the population favours independency. However, these people have socialist positions. Because the island has come into contact with American civilization, socialism is non encouraged. Another way for Puerto Rico is to stay a commonwealth. It ‘s been working out great for Puerto Rico. The United States protects the island with its military and the U.S. authorities ca n’t roll up federal revenue enhancements. Why change the position quo?
For over a hundred old ages, the United States has had control over Puerto Rico. Whether Puerto Rico will go a province or non is still being debated. Statehood would convey benefits to both Puerto Rico and the United Sates. Independence for Puerto Rico is non popular, but it still has a voice. Then there ‘s staying a district of the United States, maintaining the position quo. However, since the United States has had a bond with Puerto Rico and American civilization has swept over the island in the signifier of touristry and authorities, Puerto Rico should go the 51st province.
Plants Cited
Irizarry, Johnny, et Al. “Resistance in Paradise: Rethinking 100 Old ages of U.S. Involvement in the Caribbean and the Pacific.” 1998. Web. 29 Nov. 2009.
Paulose, Regina. “Should Puerto Rico stay a US district or go the 51st province? ” Helium. Web. 24 November 2009.
Rivera, Magaly, erectile dysfunction. 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.
