Puerto Rico towards equality as the first Hispanic state

[TexasTowelie]

The island of Puerto Rico is more or less a subject of discussion on the national level. According to the latest census data, there are around 3.4 millions of American citizens who live on the island of Puerto Rico, and around 5 million who live in the mainland. Actually, Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States, and while some think differently, Puerto Ricans are American citizens since 1917 by virtue of the Jones Act, and yet, while living on the island they are not allowed to vote for the President of the United States.

Moreover, since 1917, more than 200.000 American citizens from Puerto Rico have served in the United States army in every armed conflict since the Civil War, and there are about 10,000 Puerto Rican citizens that are actively serving in all armed forces.

The current political relationship between the island and the United States puts Puerto Ricans in unfavorable position, who are completely being subject to Article IV, Chapter 3, Clause 2 of the United States Constitution, also known as the Territorial Clause which gives Congress the power to dispose and make all the rules respecting the Territories.

How Puerto Rico can become first Hispanic State?

On Nov. 6, 2012 the people of Puerto Rico opened a completely new chapter in the political history of the island towards the statehood path. Since 1952 and the previous establishment of its actual status, described as Commonwealth (Estado Libre Asociado – ELA) until today, the status quo (current status, ELA-unincorporated territory) has never been questioned and defeated in any electoral event.

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/politics/320473-puerto-rico-towards-equality-at-the-first-hispanic-state

[yeoman6987]

1. Puerto Rico doesn't require federal taxes

Even in the military they don't. My sailors from Puerto Rico didn't.

[msongs]

2. 2 new democratic party member US senators? repubs will not allow statehood nt

[jberryhill]

3. That piece mis-states the outcome of the 2012 referendum

There were two questions on the ballot:

Question (1) Yes/No - whether to continue with Puerto Rico's territorial status

Result:

54% voted "no".


Question (2) pick from list of three options: statehood, independence, or a sovereign nation in free association with the United States.

Of those who answered on the second question 61.11% chose statehood, 33.34% chose free association, and 5.55% chose independence.

Let that sink in for a moment.

A majority of Puerto Ricans voted for a "change" in status. However, many of the "no" voters on (1) did not vote on (2). Some did, but the structure of the referendum did not have "no change" as an option.

The only rational way to understand the result is:

46% - no change in status
32% - statehood
18% - free association
3% - independence

In other words, the "change in status" yes votes represent 54% of the voters, but that 54% splits on what status they want to have.

What's irritating about the way that vote is characterized, is that Puerto Ricans remain divided on the issue, and should structure the referendum differently to avoid an ambiguous result.

However, it was structured that way by statehood advocates who always quote the results on the second question, but don't mention the vote on the first question.

The result of the 2012 referendum, to the extent it can be understood due to the poor structure, is that Puerto Ricans remain divided on the question of status, with no position having a majority.