De-Colonization Debate Heats Up In Puerto Rico
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- Опубликовано: 25 май 2022
- If passed, a historic new bill drafted by House Democrats would allow Puerto Ricans to choose in a vote between statehood, independence, or sovereignty with free association. NBC News’ Isa Gutiérrez speaks with Puerto Ricans about what political status is best for the island.
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#TopStoryWithTomLlamas #PuertoRico #DeColonization
I can't blame them at all. If we refuse to allow them to be a state they should be allowed to fully govern themselves
Completely agree
Puerto Rico should become a tax haven island like the Cayman islands.
And they will never be a state unless they become whiter and have more of a conservative base.
@@jddII What about the crypto investors moving to PR.
We cant govern ourselves cause our goverment is corrupt if puerto rico becomes an independent country a dictatorship will be our goverment and if we become a state we lose our culture we lose the privilige of representing the island in sports this will turn into a hawaii
Probably the biggest problem preventing Puerto Rico and even Washington DC from achieving statehood is that it changes the dynamic in Congress and Senate.
DC has no right for being a state it is a district with special privileges and has representation in Congress and the senate and was never meant for statehood it was granted to the federal government for its own land to be apart from the states On the other hand Puerto Rico has voted statehood down every time it's been offered and we do not need any more states period Democrats only want these two because it will give them complete control in the senate and congress
Puerto Rico consistently votes statehood and independence down. Been doing so for YEARS. They like Commonwealth status. Reason #1 not to give it statehood: massive poverty. There's LOTS more, and they're easy to find.
@@peterdenten it’s interesting because back in 2016 the GOP published in their national party platform supporting statehood for PR. Is Senator Mitch McConnell who is against it.
@@peterdenten Because, as with DC statehood, they would each send two Dems to the Senate. Both places are filled with people of color and the GOP does not see them as humans deserving representation.
thats what the democrats want dont be fooled into thinking the gave a sht about puerto rico. tey are after congressional seats
Ask someone of Puerto Rican heritage, what I don't want to see is Puerto Rico turn into another hawaii. Where the locals are marginalized into the corners of the land, impoverished into lower class living, and most of the island pretty much gets dominated by rich, greedy owners who then want to price the locals out of their own homes, and replace them with other rich, greedy individuals.
Yes! As someone who grew up on Maui and had to leave because it became too sad to witness the Hawaiians harassed for fishing their lands and for things harmless as sleeping in the bushes they were forced to live in. Even working 2 jobs double minimum wage that are skilled labor.. it's almost impossible to provide enough to make ends meet. It's so sad to watch Hawaiians ran off by cops with batons in their hands for fishing at night all because their sacred ancestral fishing grounds was bought by Bezos. Once not too long ago anyone could drive a loop around the island then Operah bought here secondary mansion. Now you have to take an almost 2 hour drive to get to what was always only 10 minutes away. They have no rights they have no freedom they have no future on the islands of their ancestral home. They are forced out of their home and their culture is destroyed repackaged and sold to tourist as an idea. They cut down the forest poisoned the land deforested the hills until runoff killed the entire reefs turned the beaches into hotels/golf courses. They made it 2 million minimum just to be considered a human being. It's why I moved to PR and am building food forest to grow a future of independence for the Island!
That’s already happening unfortunately.
@@josematamoros596 hopefully the consensus is for independence! I'm trying to make a solution. I'm growing food forest on PR to ensure food sovereignty..hopefully sooner than later. After an abundance is growing sustainably the plan is to create a digital currency backed by the value of Parcha. The food grown in forest will be given to those in need 0% sold for profit. The food forest will act as a bank to back the value of Parcha coin. This non traditional bank will accept local produce such as mango or vegetables in exchange for Parcha token that will be slight stronger than USD, completely stable, and have 1 to 1 backing. The food recieved will be instantly donated to those most in need or preserved for future. I hope to allow any local produce to be exchanged for this token to create an insensitive for people to work towards PR becoming completely food sovereign with an abundance of excess. Another goal equally important is to expand economic inclusiveness to create opportunitys for those in rural areas to work for themselves and generate wealth. Eventually I'd like to have it be used to pay PRs budgets and it be completely transparent so there is no chance of questions of corruption and who's.
Would you rather see it turn into another cuba?
Oh shut up
As a Puerto Rican, my main concern is the level of corruption on our government. Even now in the status of being a commonwealth there is plenty of corruption. I’m afraid to imagine how it would be like if the nation were independent. Like the gentleman said, could be in the level of Cuba and Venezuela.
My husband and I had this conversation, and we both seem to be split. He advocates for independence. But I see Puerto Rico turning into a worse situation than what it is now. The island can never seem to have an extremely corrupt politician.
Don't see good with it becoming a state either. Such a lose lose situation.
Thats fear talking. The only way to combat corruption is to take it head on
I agree.
As US citizens, they should have the ability for their voices to be counted as well. If they can serve their country, it should also serve them!
They cannot vote for president I thought they were not citizens? Not sure how that works but they should be able to do whatever they want to do.
Agreed, however PR would be better as a territory of Florida and they can be Floridians. PR as a tourist trap is about all it is good for at this point, plus a few military installations. Their infrastructure keeps being wiped out by hurricanes so as their own nation they would never catch up and prosper with mainlanders because of their limited resources. There was a pharmaceutical plant there and it got wiped out, which is why when the pandemic started we had medical supply issues and had to lean on China for some stuff. PR is too much of a risk to invest in critical infrastructure but hotels and theme parks are good, gives architects and civil engineers something to do and experiment with more hurricane-hardened structures.
If we can get voting without statehood we should, all that should be needed for voting rights is citizenship and we've had that for 81 yrs now
@@jmcnally647 With the way our government and constitution works involving territories and states, a territory can’t just become a territory of a state, that can never happen nor has ever happen US history. The only way if PR remains in the USA will be becoming the 51st state
@@user-hv6sb3kg9g PR actually has had US citizenship for 105 years
I think the status question has always been the excuse for Puerto Rican politicians for them being terrible at their job.
Yeah. If the Government of Puerto Rico was efficient, they would have pressed for independence years ago. Instead, their economy is always teetering & they always seem to need a bail out.
Completely true. Yes the status has meant PR has been at a economics disadvantage, but by far the biggest problem has been political corruption. In some government agencies nearly HALF the budget is stolen via inflated salaries and contracts to companies who provide the cheapest, most mediocre service or don't even provide the service at all! Then those same politicians blame the result of their mismanagement and corruption fully on the status!
Pretty much
Puerto delicious looks like a third world country
I say give them independence and let the Democrats fail on their own.
As a born and raised Puerto Rican that still lives in the island. I honestly have to say I am tired of the same BS debate about the status of the island. Our politics is literally based on this! I get it, it's part of the geopolitics of the Island; we being a part of the US without actually being a part of it is definitely a topic of debate. But there's a line. We have to address corruption, incompetence and nepotism. Our culture is literally being transformed because of the huge brain drain we are suffering. Those who leave the island are the professionals and most decent people in our society while a lot of those who stay tend to be welfare citizens who do very little for our country, culture and quality of life(high crime rate in barrios and projects). If PR became a US state it would have more than double the rate of corruption the most corrupt US state. For once I would like for this topic to be put aside and let us address more practical and pragmatic matters like the Foraker act(that raises the prices of everyday goods); our bad infrastructure, our bad and inefficient public cervices, Puerto Ricans lack of trust in their own government and institutions(cause of our high levels of corruption among government officials and civil servants), high levels poverty(comparable to the mainland), the economy, urban decay, and last but not least incompetence at all levels of our society... among many, many other stuff like bad cultural habits...etcetera. All of these things have to be addressed and solved by us Puerto Rican who stay on the island and fight everyday to make it a better place. I don't care about the US or our Status for that matter. Cause all that is second to this! We and only we Puerto Ricans have the power to make things better for us and our country and no matter what happens no amount of US government intervention will make any difference. This is about culture, geopolitics, and our domestic politics. I hope this makes it easier to understand our struggles for all who read this.
Bien dicho!!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
After so many years of being a fanatic supporting Statehood, I have come to your same conclusions-good job for putting everything in perspective. I agree with you wholeheartedly!
And none of those things will be relieved by statehood.
Good, smart, honest people leave. What you have left are the corrupt and those easily bought with promises by the corrupt. Seems like how it is in a lot of countries.
This comment should be pinned! Buen dicho!
Hawaii became a state and so can Puerto Rico
Wasn't all that great for the hawaiians though
@@alaunaenpunto3690 great for land developers sadly.
The Puerto Rican politicians and all the corruption is what needs to be changed not our status.
Bravo, very good well put.
Guess where much of that corruption comes from though? The pro-statehood, pro-America PNP party. I agree that Puerto Rico needs to weed out corruption, but it is literally tied to the status problem. The PNP party is notorious for its corruption because many of the leading political leaders have ties to very wealthy mainlanders and corporations. Why do you think they pass things like Act 60? Because they are allowed to benefit from it.
@@tinyelephant1533 that's why all the politicians.. Puerto Rican politicians should not only be fired but incarcerated as traitors to the Puerto Rican people. We need to start over and it's easier for a small island like us. The United States which I fear will collapse just like Russia did many years ago but we will survive one way or another. Thankfully we're a thousand miles away from them. No matter what there's no easy solution especially one that people are willing to do or follow through with.
No to statehood. Research our history, look up first governors, massacres, gag order, Jones Act, Pedro Albizu Campos, Hurricane Maria. Check out PNP
Let me clarify something that I’ve seen in the comments, for those that say that “PR doesn’t give anything back”.
Let’s do not forget these facts
1. Spain ceded Puerto Rico to America in 1898 after losing the Spanish American War.
2. In 1899 the Puerto Rican battalion (PR army) was incorporated into the us army and in 1920 after serving in WW1 it became the notoriously known 65th Infantry Regiment.
3. 65th earned numerous medals including 900 Purple Hearts thanks to their bravery and their motivation.
4. We also fought in Korea, Vietnam, Gulf war, Iraq and Afghanistan, wars that US caused for no apparent reason, and possibly with China, because now US wants to defend Vietnam a country that hasn’t “given anything valuable” to US .
So before you comment, educate, read, feel you head with information. Thats is very disrespectful to those that gave their lives to say that PR does not give anything back. At least have some decency.
I agree, but being independent isn't always a good thing, look at Cuba, and Haiti. Get real.
But what is it contributing today though? The ave income is 21.000 and the US is tired of paying for food stamps and public housing for all the caserios. Its costing more today and they want to let it go because they are done using them.
Puerto Rico sux lol
What's your point , if we rewarded land by veteran percentage. Then PR had really no need to be in the USA if midway, american Samoa and Guam
The Puerto Rican economy is awful and you can see what they 5hinl in this video. The islanders are not willing to stay and become a state and fix it. All the people interviewed in this video said they wanted to move to the mainland. Why bring in a new state when all that would happen would be a mass exodus off the island to America. Also what do they produce? I can pick up soldiers anywhere so military service is really secondary.
Sadly Puerto Rico and the Samoan Islands are the ones who have more people serving in the US military. Samoans have it even worse because they are not US citizens. People never want to learn about the history and also they don’t know why Puerto Rico has had so many issues in the first place. They are in this mess because of the laws implemented and those “bonds” and is sad and ignorant to say that Puerto Rico is having those issues because they don’t work hard enough, etc.
Can’t blame them and I wish them the best.
As a Puerto Rican I’m all for Puerto Rican statehood
As a Puerto Rican native, living in the US, the political status of the island has always played a major role in dividing us a one people. I strongly believe that the political status should be put to the side permanently and totally concentrate in the local economy in order to bring a higher living standard equal to the mainland. I believe this will stop the migration of the younger generation and skilled people. I left the island when I turned 15, never looked back, but always wondered if that was the right move (I’m 55 now). If the opportunities had been there, I probably would have never left. PR is a paradise, it should always be associated with the USA, that association has avoided us from becoming a second Cuba or Venezuela. My love for the Island!!!
The youth values are to americanized, they should become a state because I dont think they have what it takes to succeed with all the corruption and entitled youth.
A paradise ?! 😂🤣 full of violence drugs and murder that's what it offers! Being colonized says it all! Bunch of cowards
In your dreams brother. I live in Aguadilla. Puerto Ricans need to have a say so in their destiny not told what to do. Because they are told what to do there is no agricultural industry there's no manufacturing industry. Stuff that comes to other countries is cheaper than what is grown local that's insanity. That's why those who get a Bachelor's degree or develop technological skills leave the island. Manny don't want to leave but have no choice. So far Honeywell and Hewlett-Packard have stayed however the employees don't make the same wage as those in the United States. The Pharmaceuticals companies have also stayed thank goodness. Statehood won't resolve everything overnight but it's a step towards progress
Or a Haiti or Nicaragua.
Agree
If I was a secondhand citizen I would want independence too. If they don’t have equal representation in our government then they deserve it.
Then they’ll lose the rights to US citizenship and being able to move and live in the US freely and being a 3rd world citizen likely with no rights to reside in the US
Yes the Americas we call home is home to many nationalities. All people deserve proper representation and self determination for their posterity and well being as a nation 🤝🏽Peace
The thing is we can vote for president but we have to live in the mainland. We can’t vote from the island whic I think is BS because is our president too
Second Class Citizens!
That’s what they are.
They should be granted Independence.
Such that they suffer . I think itsbad idea
Just imagine if that $54+ BILLION we wasted on Ukraine was invested into Puerto Rico instead.
Thanks for sharing such wonderful content with your audience. It is very interesting stuff. I appreciate all the work put into it. Sincere thanks!
Hope to see it in my lifetime. The Puerto Rican politicians are holding statehood like the carrot in front of the horse. The present status is a goldmine for the politicians Millions in federal aid for the people never make it to them because they have been mismanaged and Uncle Sam has done nothing
That not uncle Sam FAULT you said it your self, "million of federal aid for the people never make it to them because they have been mismanaged" by there own politicians just like Mexican it the same thing and they/you want the USA TO HELP BUT WHEN YOU COME HERE YOU FIND OUT USA IS NO BETTER WE HAVE THE DRUGS, KILLING, LOW/NO JOBS, POOR LIVING, AND POLICE ABUSE MEANTAL/PHYSICALLY, AND BEST OF ALL POLITICIANS LYING TO GET VOTED IN OFFICE SO JUST FIX THE PROBLEMS WHERE YOU ARE AT AND BE HAPPY BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE THAT ALL THAT COUNTS☺️
Thank the democrats for embezzling the money they get from excessively taxing the US citizens.
Posting without doing research. Both parties are responsible for the dire situation in Puerto Rico. Both have turned a blind eye when it's convenient. (By the way Islanders tend to be much more conservative than the statesiders.)
92 million for disaster relief the orange turd ministration would only release 48 many statesiders thought that the people were receiving the money and squandering it when it was the politicians. The FEMA representative appointed by orange turd was prosecuted for fraud. The lady who was appointed to square away the school closings situation was also prosecuted for fraud.
@@JesusGonzalez-kg2fe fantastic please post your plan for an island who the US government has made totally dependant on it In Cahoots with its lap dog Puerto Rican politicians that has absolutely no agricultural or manufacturing industry. It's refineries taken away to place in Venezuela. You sound like a genius go ahead post something a plan if you will that would make Puerto Rico totally independent and self-sustaining. Anxiously looking forward to your answer
I'm coming from a former dutch colony country in south America, getting an independence as they want won't have it's easy out or easy in. Leaders will fight for the country, specially the military if Puerto Rico has any. So it's better to re-think if the Puerto ricans really want independence from the US. Independence will bring blood, starvation and a race for power.
Most Puerto Ricans will move to the US as the suriname did with the Netherlands.
PR army is the US army
I agree
Well said.
In every Poll Puertorricans wants statehood.
I pray for the American citizens of Puerto Rico! My love, aid goes out to our people who are rightly deserving of having a more permanent place in our Union ☺️🇺🇲👍❤️⭐
No to statehood. Go Independent. Our future depends on it.
🇵🇷 Make it a state. ❤️
Hello how are you doing LynRuiz
Hello Lynruiz how are you doing today?
Most Puerto Rican live in 🇺🇸.
Again yellow journalism! Not true! Most are moving to República Dominicana 🇩🇴, México 🇲🇽, España 🇪🇸, Europe 🇪🇺 and yeah US 🇺🇸 but when you come and see the map of where boricuas are at its only either La Florida or Los nuyores the west coast is predominantly Mexican and Asian, The central part of the country are completely white, southeast (LA, MS, AL, GA, SC and NC) are predominantly African American and then FL is where you get Boricuas and in the northeast.
So peurto rico becomes it own country? Well kiss peurto rico economy goodbye
I honestly hope for statehood. Puerto Ricans have long been tied to the US and I think that with a more integrated position, Puerto Rico could finally get the political voice and legal rights that it deserves, and more travel could make them a huge tourist hub for currect Americans like Hawaii.
Edit: They also would finally get government funding as well, stirring up the economy if it was integrated into the US.
The US does not want puerto rico as a state..... They would have become a state already..
@@ArizonaSonora1 Not true whatsoever. Politics inside of the US often cloud decisions like this, and the US took Hawaii whilst it was in a worse economic state than Cuba is.
@@roweboatryan than answer thst brother... How come puerto rico is not a state today?
@@ArizonaSonora1 I just told you. Internal Political trouble or economic trouble has always affected the US whenever a period of peace starts. That stops Congress from focusing on less critical and drasticless bills and acts into law.
@@ArizonaSonora1 because Puerto Ricans have been fighting against statehood
Let's hope they join the union and become a state. If PR becomes independent, it will sink into poverty.
Does the Senate even pass laws anymore? Its been like 20 years and nothings gotten done
@Terry L. Cooper you mean the ones who DON'T vote -- since indifference is good part of where we are...and the ones who do vote are driven by non-issues and culture war nonsense like Critical Race Theory and the war on Christmas to make rational decisions.
The last thing we need is more laws.
@@secretsquirrel6718 Laws are how we get things done dummy. Everything is done by a Bill. You know the song 🎵 "Im just a Bill, sittin on Capital Hill" 🎵
@@jaridkeen123 we DONT need any NEW laws.
We have thousands already.
Nothing needs to get done that we don't already have a law for.
@@secretsquirrel6718 What a stupid comment😂 So everything from now on will stay exactly the same in your mind? You don’t think future technologies will change the way our society acts and will require new laws?
Imagine if we stopped making laws 20 years ago, before the true rise of the internet. It would be pure chaos! Laws always need to be changed, added or removed because our society is constantly changing
So you want to decolonize Puerto Rico by giving a chance to be in a union with their colonizer ?
To be fair they wouldn’t be a colony. It would be like Hawaii
Puerto Rico can barely maintain a functioning society.
They have been a US protectorate for over 100 years and have literally accomplished nothing.
A totally worthless population that doesn't benefit the US.
wtf u talking about? it's either state hood, territory or full independence
@@diegoaespitia Territory isnt a option
@@100x35TV Yup! The third option is basically like what Palau, Micronesia and Marshall Islands have (technically independent but under the protective USA umbrella and maintaining some coverage from Federal programs, as well as a right to move freely between them and the USA)! In short, anything BUT the status quo!
As a Puerto Rican I support statehood.
No to statehood. Research our history, look up first governors, massacres, gag order, Jones Act, Pedro Albizu Campos, Hurricane Maria. Check out PNP
Why vote against Puerto Rico becoming a state? 🤔
The residents of PR have been US citizens for over 105 years, the territory has been a part of the country since 1898, which is over 120 years. Yet, these citizens don’t have voting representation in Congress, can’t vote for the President, they are not fully protected by the Constitution, they do pay federal taxes without receiving federal benefits, the best future for my fellow citizens living in PR is becoming the 51st state.
They’re NOT full citizens being in the military and move away from the island should be a privilege for them
And will vote Democrat
@@jacquelinem2873 Actually most likely, it will be for the senate 1 democrat, 1 republican, and around 2 each for the house. It’s really a purple territory.
@@jacquelinem2873 Their current representative in the house is a Republican, while their governor is a democrat, but for island politics they are in the same party
@@dylanshaffer2184 The current commissioner is Jenniffer González-Colón of the New Progressive Party (PNP), the first woman to hold the post. She is also affiliated with the Republican Party. Voters did not choose her for being a republican. Once statehood they will be more aware of party lines.
The best option for Puerto Rico is the current one unfortunately, if the u.s makes it a state investors are going to drive out the locals making the island to expensive to live in. If Puerto Rico becomes independent it runs the risk of it becoming ran by dictatorship. And it's ironic that they're eliminating the option of remaining a common wealth.
I agree
I think the reason why it isn’t an option anymore is because this in between has run it’s course of being effective. The best choice would be statehood because it gives an injection of federal money, provides greater protection in emergencies, and the corruption of its politicians can be rooted out a whole lot easier. Yes there will be challengers worth Puerto Rico becoming a state, but more people stand to benefit and gain from statehood on the island than not. And yes more investment will come into the island, but I don’t think it’ll be to the point of driving people out into the mainland. I think the whole point of it becoming a state is to provide more economic opportunities for those people that are there.
@@jst4572 it's the easier route but in the long run it will prove to be the least desirable for Puerto Rican autonomy. People will want goodies from the federal government and I think that will be the factor that will make Puerto Ricans opt for statehood. Unfortunately Puerto Ricans aren't self deterministic, because the best option would be for them to take matters into their own hands, become independent and choose their own government and preserve their culture. But they allow these inept politicians dictate and ruin things. It's in their hands to do so but choose not to because they are comfortable with having things handed to them that is the problem. If they become a state it will be the same thing, they will rely on the federal government for everything, while investors come in and take the island away from them. I'm Puerto Rican and it pains me to see this reality.
It's already happening, thanks to the tax incentives. This is becoming a Hawaii part 2.
Yup but honestly it’s time we make a choice we either add them as state or cut all ties all together either would have devastating consequences for the island and it’s people
I'm not Puerto Rican but for all those that think becoming a state is the best option all I will say is look at Hawaii...and ask the native Hawaiians how things worked out for them. That should give you an idea of what to expect.
No. Hawaii is a completely different story. Americans started colonizing Hawaii while it was still a constitutional monarchy. Puerto Rico has never been a nation on its own.
@@hihosilencemeviolateme949 To be fair...maybe being as vague as I was you might have mistaken my point. What I was trying to allude was things maybe be worse off because from what I've been told about Hawaii is the Indigenous/native Hawaiians are treated like second class citizens in their own land and that foreign entities (not just Americans/ "Mainlanders") are treated better and have certain "privileges " that are out of reach (usually financially) from the natives. I hear similar things have happened in Guam and American Samoa but those aren't States...which is the reason I stated Hawaii as a possible example of what might happen if Hawaii "officially" becomes a State of the USA. Just something I think they should consider 🤔
@@blackchang1981 but then I explained they are nothing alike. What you speak of is happening in st Louis, new York, new Orleans, Miami... Go research little Havana. The area is getting more expensive. No one is looking to get rid of Puerto Rican heritage. There is an effort to get rid of Hawaiian heritage. Puerto Rican heritage is eurocentric to begin with.
@@hihosilencemeviolateme949 I thought the debate was about the benefits of becoming a state and economic advantage it will bring to the island? I honestly don't think that will happen but maybe I am wrong. I get your point on using those cites or locations like Little Havana but I think those are microcosm of a bigger problem...the assumption that being a part of the UNITED States of America will alleviate all the problems that effect the current residents of that nation. I agree that maybe the culture or the national pride of Puerto Rico might not be affected but I honestly and humbly think those who are in favor haven't thought things through. I could be completely wrong but I don't think economically the island (or specifically the current residents) will benefit. I can definitely see a " similar" Hawaii experience happening there because it currently is in a similar situation. Just a belief.
@@blackchang1981 The funniest thing about your comment and those like it is people in Puerto Rico call themselves Puerto Ricans and not San Juanese. It all seemed odd till I learned the truth. The us of today will not exist in 50 years. The us of 50 years from now won't exist 100 years from now. The Puerto Rico issue is nothing like Hawaii.
Puerto Rico, Guam, the American Samoa Islands, the American Virgin Islands & all of the other 'territories' SHOULD GET A VOTE TO BE INDEPENDANT OR GRANTED FULL STATEHOOD!! The days of 'Colonial Territories' is over!! However, IF those people decide to become independent again, they must accept all of the good and bad that goes along with that. I hope they look at Haiti, Cuba, the Dominican Republic & a lot of the other Caribbean nations before they decide because there's not going back....
Your lack of knowledge is showing. All these areas are tiny. Tiny and your calling for 2 senators each?
@@Dog.soldier1950 The rod sticking out of your rear, is showing.
@@deamorebeaute2412 Youre ignorance is glaring! Let them become their own sovereign nations and cut them off from my tax money….fine by me!
No representation without taxation.
@@Dog.soldier1950 dude its 2.9x larger than Rhode island...
No No No independent,We Do Not Want another Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua,norte correa.
that doesn’t mean an island will become communist immediately, Cuba became communists because of a corrupt government and other things from the nationalist government
Venezuela used to be a democracy and was the most richest South American country before a communist takeover
Philippines was a US colony and they were never communist (I think)
Why not let it become Panama! Why not let it become Costa Rica? Why do you have to resort to Cuba and Venezuela? Stupid talking points.
Puerto Rico to me is very similar to Hawaii. Just Let them be the 51 state. It makes sense to me, but if Puerto Ricans want independence from the USA, it would be a lot harder for Puerto Ricans to migrate…right now they have the most privilege in the Spanish speaking world to be able to enter the US easily.
The most privileged in the Spanish-speaking world are those in countries where they don't feel the need to migrate to the US.
That migration is the reason that minds eager to flourish live on the island, if they had to stay they would be forced to find ways to make it big, thus growing the economy.
Puerto Rico has its own flag, national anthem, language. If becomes a statehood, it should change everything.
Very different than Hawaii in my opinion. Hawaii is a half way point to Asia. PR provides way less geological and ecological benefits. Also their political situation will make it difficult for it to work as an equal state. The word colony is out-dated but at the same time PR doesnt seem to be able to support itself to a certain degree to become a state. If they become a state, chances are the mainlanders will go in and basically reset the island politically and economically and I believe Puerto Ricans wouldnt be happy. How true hawaiians cant live in hawaii bc things are too expensive will happen in PR too.
So if they hate colonialism why do minorities even bother coming to the US? Anti-colonalism translates to "I hate white people but I will live among them for the welfare and socialist programs that give me free stuff."
As a Puerto Rican living in the island. I can tell you the vast majority want statehood.
They wont get it . Very simplr fact of the republicans dont want more poor ppl with voting rights. I agree . Democrats ruining this country enough as it is
@@iaoshua I don't think what you say about republicans is true. I think the reason they're opposed to it is because they think PR will vote blue which will guarantee the democrats a win in almost every election. If you look at the GOP's record they have been pro-statehood for PR for a while. However, I think they're being misled because PR is a lot more conservative than people think.
Offer Puerto Rico full independence and learn how seriously they are taking de-colonization.
Personally I'd love if your congress ever did such a thing but they won't this just another weapon of mass distraction.
I totally approve their independence from the United States and from the United States financial aid.
It will go to sh1t fool don’t be dumb lol Puerto Rico needs usa lol
Uyyy!!! Jajaja
The opposite is the problem. As a colony their wealth was stripped and used by the United States. Any aid we give them is a drop in the bucket compared to what America has taken. I'd be proud to have Puerto Rico as a state. They serve in our armed forces and have developed a vibrant culture.
@@GeckoHiker Puerto Rico doesn't have anything and never did.
whenever people say "they taking our jobs" I'll just say "well you take advantage of their poverty and tax deductions"
these are Puerto Ricans. not Mexicans. they are essentially us citizens. u clown
One of my best friends in School is from PR, I just hope what ever happens that the standard of living raises there so his family can be happier. I wish nothing but the best for my fellow Americans in PR.
If statehood comes about, we will have the same outcome as Hawaii. Heck, it's already happening. The wealthy will continue to move to the island, build mega homes and price us out. I don't want to see that.
RIP Puerto Rico I agree with the first woman the economy isn't set up to be independent this may be catastrophic
Start growing food now dragon fruit, breadfruit, and passion fruit especially do this island wide! there is a global famine and PR can produce year round with hardwork PR can have the strongest economy it's ever had after independence. With hardwork and unity..if not it can atleast be free and self sustaining!
Getting rid of the Jones act would help change that
We could easily be a independent country but the people are just lazy and don’t want to work 🤦🏽♂️ it makes me mad bc they have so many resources and things they could do to make the island better and have major money
Too small. Limited resources, but hey, listen to the smart guy chilling at the beach.
For real 💀
Make it the 51st state already. What is congress waiting for?
If Puerto Rico becomes independent from the United States wouldn’t they lose a lot of those US citizen benefits? I’m all for them being independent but I would hate to see them get what they asked for and end up struggling and regretting it.
The only option is Independence for Puerto Rico.
What benefits? Living under the rule of corporations that buy laws, the elections and members of cabinet? Then they create pre planed crisis and have congress print billions to throw at their pharma and tech companies while they spin 2 narratives of division to divide us to easily prop up their AI digital governance technocracy to fulfill their dreams of a biosecurity state and a 2 tier society. Why would anyone who pays attention want that?Don't get it twisted, I'm not against free market capitalism I'm all for it..I'm not against democracy.. but I'm for governance being operated by unpaid local committees where everyone has a voice. The US is not a free market. US is collapsing ( by design )and will always be facist oligarchy until it burns ..it's true leaders don't even come to US. They have destroyed the family and creates a culture of confusion, ignorance, narcissism and self destruction. No product produced by U.S is both better than competition and affordable for value received compared to foreign quality. In terms of food quality U.S produces food devoid of nutrients almost entirely. The food is poison and they know it ( I went to school for plant science biotech don't dispute this fact ) these GMOs and "enriched" staple foods lead to illnesses such as cancer and diabetes.
Yes. Please let these leeches be
@@boostmobile5326 Yes. They should join us in misery.
Its naive of a thought since those that seek it have absolutely no idea...like BREXIT
how many dominicans were interviewed as "puerto rican" lol?! i counted 3...
Races
It doesnt matter...the Senate will never let Puerto Rico become a state...they will stay a territory...
They could be the first official Spanish speaking State in the USA. 👍
@@JAT-qr8eqWhat is the official language of the other states?🤔
@@rickyedwards5480 Good question. I guess it depends on were your living in the USA. 😂 Example in the southwest,Texas and Florida It's Spanish and English or Spanglish. In the deep South, their English is hard to understand.
@@JAT-qr8eq The spanish will die out slowly but surely and sadly like the Hawaiian language. I've never met a Hawaiian that speaks fluent Hawaiian sadly. A lot of that does depend on fam passing it down to on the flip side and other hand, my fam made sure to speak to me in both languages so that I'd be bilingual
@@JAT-qr8eqThe us and the states that make it up do not have official languages!🤔 non of them do.
0:10 Totally wrong! Puerto Rico is beautiful but not every country would like to have it, the only thing why PR is still in US hands because of its strategic position.
Statehood would elevate PR as it should be
Of course they want to be a state.Taxpayers would be on the hook for their decades of mismanagement.Their already disproportionate use of entitlement programs would explode.
We pay taxes too!
Very good point! If granted statehood the government of P.R. would immediately declare bankruptcy.And then the states would bail us out .Then the government of P.R. would immediately start getting into debt as fast as they can.All the while stealing as much as possible for themselves and their families.If independent they will turn communist like Cuba .I live in P.R. and most people I speak to do not want independence or statehood! They like it the way it is.Also we have a very strong underground economy.So people are not as broke as you may think.
@@luiscruz679The majority of people in Puerto Rico are living on entitlement programs. Enlighten us.What taxes do they pay?
Puerto Rico won't make it as an independent state. Puerto Ricans should vote for their own future as well as their homeland. Puerto Rico in my opinion is better off looking for statehood.
The US does not want them unfortunately..... Otherwise they would have become a state already
Statehood means Hawaii 2.0 where actual local Puerto Ricans can't afford living on their island as Anglo Americans buy up all the property. How is that an improvement?
Yea great then we can add tow more liberal Dumbocrats and one congressman to DC. Just what we need, why don't we make DC and Brooklyn a state at the same time.
@@livingminimumwage6359 thank you
@@livingminimumwage6359 yeah but isnt independent worse? As they will have a hard time getting their economy up and have resources shipped to their island. What if a hurricane happens? Or what about US citizenship? If they ever want to get a better job Or escape, they might have to wait in line right?
Just become a state Puerto Rico or you will regret it, you know the corruption in Puerto Rico it’s bad.
Puerto Rico was invaded in 1898 by the United States during the Spanish- American war and subsequently became a possession of the United States.
Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory with Commonwealth status whose residents are U.S. citizens by birth since 1917.
Puerto Rican soldiers have fought in every major U.S. military conflict during the past century.
About 84,000 people moved from Puerto Rico to the United States in 2014.
On average, 230 people left per day -- enough to fill two daily flights out of the island.
The result is the highest net migration recorded in the past decade.
What I am trying to tell you guys is or we are granted statehood or we will continue to move to the U.S.A. looking for a brighter future it is our right as US citizen's.
My uncle fought in the Korean War and my brother was in the nation guard , we have given our blood and tears for America, is time to become a state, no more second class citizens ☝️🇵🇷🌎
Lol, they still don’t care about that
Just like EU which is expanding. USA should have new states : Puerto Rico, and then Samoa , Guam.etc Instead of spending money in rebuilding foreign countries.
As a Puerto Rican who left the island from poverty in 1998 to the main land thank God almighty, I say in my opinion Puerto Rico should be a state after all many Puerto Ricans gave there lives for America in many major conflicts dating back to ww1. Also all Puerto Ricans are born American citizens and have the same rights as Americans born in the main land to me it those not make sense for Puerto Rico to be independent to govern themselves, they should become a state with there own state laws and tax brackets Opportunities are much better in the main land for work,business and investing and education Not to mention if Puerto Rico becomes a state many US politicians can’t hide there money or property in Puerto Rico along with many wealthy billionaire’s and millionaires they would be force to pay there taxes they been getting away all this years with. I don’t have nothing against wealthy people but for those who do not know they are ways that are legal in the mainland we’re wealthy people don’t pay taxes when they navigate the complex financial system we have in the United States this services are expensive and financial advisors do charge expensive fees and premiums.
I spent 11 years in Puerto Rico and stopped voting when I learned that Puerto Ricans do not have the right to vote for their president. If ''they'' cannot vote, I will not vote either.
If Puerto Rico goes independent: forget it.
It will be the new Hati. Small Uber wealth gated communities- and crippling poor. 🦖☄️
I know that... you know that & I'll bet that a lot of older (more mature) Puerto Ricans know that, but the 'appeal' of independence might be too strong a lure for some of them to think it through. IF they do go independent, I'll bet you $10 that MILLIONS of them end up coming to settle in America before the ink dries on the forms. Puerto Rico is a beautiful nation, but there is nothing there. NOTHING...
If they follow bad economic policies they will be like Haiti. Unfortunately Puerto Rico's political leaders have demonstrated that they are terrible at their job many times over. They bankrupted the island.
Or the next Jamaica and Jamaicans are still fleeing Jamaica to get to South Florida
Why are you describing current Puerto Rico? There's already plenty of uber wealthy gated communities full of tax evading americans who get away with crime on the daily.
Exactly
Puerto Rico meets every requirement for statehood and to deny them this vote is fundamentally un-American
they can be absorbed into the state of florida ther is no need to give the scum of the democratic party more seats in congress
blame the republicans.
We don’t want statehood. We want our Independence!
@@maxmx767 thats a better option for the usa they will no longer have a financial obligation
@@gdiaz8827 Exactly! We don’t want the US to have obligations and rights in Puerto Rico
Abrazos a Puerto Rico desde España!
They should be a state.
Puerto Rico sin USA nos vamos ajoder.si ahora con la ayudan de estas unidos y estamos jodido pare en que quieten ser como Haity y Cuba.
If they become independent they will no longer have the option to leave to the mainland and will have to suffer trying to get into the states like any other Latin American country. If that’s what they want then go ahead Puerto Ricans just don’t regret it afterwards.
Think of it in reverse, a prosperous sustainable food soverign Puerto Rico that produces more value for export than it imports. Independence allows the island to lock out the influx of Americans fleeing their collapsing nation torn apart by globalist weaved division, famine , pandemics and hyperinflation riddled crashing economy. Main sources of value in next 10 years will be PR owned and operated tech start ups, and organic tropical produce. This is beyond a possibility it's happening, but will only happen quickly with collective belief in the future of island and work to preserve her.
@@rainbowwarrior4798 Yeah PR would become Cuba 2.0 if they go independence. Your "beautiful world" imagination is just that... imagination. Look around other Latin countries right now. Loads of problems. Citizens of those countries would trade their arms and legs to become a Puerto Rican, the most prosperous Latino country with US Citizenship and US opportunity.
By Statehood does that mean they want Puerto Rico to be considered an official US State? And treated like all the other US states, Hawaii?
Independence is still laughably unpopular. A vocal chorus of twitter personalities and public intelectuals support it, but they are only 10 percent of the electorate on a good day.
Independence would destroy PR. No, the island would not end up like Venezuela, but right now, roughly 50 percent of the economy is linked to federal dollars. If that goes away, a big decline in living standards is inevitable. This would result in a huge migration , maybe up to 1/2 of the population, to the United States, since anyone who currently has US citizenship at the time of independence (all Puerto Ricans) would retain it.
People who support independence simply don't understand the fiscal/economic implications
Thank you, the voice of reason, my mother also said this to me, as well.
Statehood is gonna turn this island into another hawaii. Overpriced, the local Puerto ricans marginalized, their land taken away. Sovereign under free association is better.
Finally, someone said it.
Finally someone who is not blinded!
@@h.c4898 Why? Any US citizen can live and work in PR right now. It is a US territory. After 124 of the current colonial status, is the population still 99 percent native born Puerto Ricans. Native Hawaiians, by contrast, were a minority in their own country even before US annexation. People who compare PR and HI really don't understand the history or situation of either.
They all want puerto rico to be independent but when it actually happens they would say how come US dont open its border
Fun fact: only about 7% of puertoricans want independence.
The problem with making it a state developers will buy land build new homes and ETC making the cost of living very difficult for PR residents like in Florida rents are sky high is all about the money .
Puerto Rico will become the Hawaii of the Carribean.
Puerto Rico should be incorporated into Spain with an autonomous government. I live in the Canary Islands, we too were once a colony and second-class citizens but have since gained the same status and rights as Spaniards from the mainland, we vote for our own president, we have our own distinct culture to that of all peninsular Spaniards and our dialect and customs are protected. The EU can easily uphold Puerto Rico as France does with Guyana and the Antilles or the UK with the Falklands and it's overseas territories, plus it opens a huge door for commerce with other EU members.
Big love to my Hispanic bretheren, I hope to see you all recover your sovereignty from Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
🇮🇨🤝🇵🇷
America cannot say they stand for freedom if they continue to be an imperialist power.
Let the people of PR choose for themselves, and if they vote to become a state I say Welcome! At long last may you FINALLY be treated with the dignity and respect you deserve. Much love to the island and it's people!
America is a continent
@@potita24 What? Lol
I say if they vote to be a state then the US states would need to vote if they want Puerto Rico as a state. I don't want them as a state and hope as a country they can prosper with good representation.
@@brianpeck4035 Yeah no, not a good plan. Your vote on their future is pretty stupid too. They get to vote on their own future. Right now they are already American citizens. You don't get to vote that away, no matter what your opinion is. It's not up to you, period.
@@brianpeck4035 that’s a terrible plan lmao would be ironic if the nation of freedom doesn’t let one of its colonies choose our political status
With 3 choices, none will get an outright majority…
Listen, there are islands in the Caribbean smaller than PR and they are independent. It won't be easy but it can be done. Just remember though, once you leave the US, there won't be any looking back and be ready to face tough times.
Cool! Like if we ever wanted help anyway. Y’all only care about the rich ppl in the island not the locals. So I could care less if we abandon USA. I prefer to maintain my language, culture, lifestyle and way of being alive. I don’t want it to become the next Hawai’i where their culture got commercialized and the language is about to go extinct. So no thx, I prefer to be a part of Latin America instead of USA.
What about American Somoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and DC non of them have voices either
I love you all my Puerto Ricans. Que sean todos el estado numero 51!
Q fanático 🙄🫤
If they became independent the tax shelter would happen with huge money and the crooked government would reap the benefits, not the people.
I would like to think if they became a state it would be better for them but just can not say.
Without an army, PR would be invaded tomorrow.
LOL. That's exactly what's happening now under the present status. Puerto Ricans are being displaced by U.S tax evaders who are buying up our land and properties. The U.S. government designed Puerto Rico's "economy" for its own benefit from the moment it invaded. Statehood didn't help Mississippi's economy. It won't help Puerto Rico's either.
If they became a state, the native Puerto Ricans would be ran out of PR. It would be 10x more expensive to live in with them paying even MORE taxes than they already do. Look at Hawaii. Hawaii you’re LUCKY to find an apartment for $2,000-3,000 a month
Long live Purto Rico!! Support our friends, brothers and sisters!
We are born Americans we pay taxes we deserve to have statehood..............
The independence is a stupid move for all citizens........
There’s a reason DC isn’t a state. It’s the capital, the site of national politics. A place where the Federal government operates with full authority. Statehood would bias and unbalance electoral politics and blur the lines between federal and state powers.
I never had much sympathy for DC residents in that regard. The city’s economy is wildly over subsidized, they have a mayor and their own cops, just like any other city-And if states’ rights and full representation matters so much to them, Virginia and Maryland are right there. Move a few miles.
The political situation in Puerto Rico is very complex, PR is also the petty cash for many in Washington, such as
Corruption is so great, I imagine that they are using these initiatives to move money around as usual, we will see how this comes to nothing.
I can't not believe I was born on Puerto Rico, and I still in Puerto Rico
If Puerto Rico votes to become a state everything would have to switch over to English. I don't know if many Puerto Ricans will be happy about that.
@@joe5923 federal law. all signs and everything else publicly will have to be converted to english.
When did NBC start hiring 12 year olds?
I just returned from PR for the first time visiting. It is heartbreaking to see the mismanagement of things from the roads to the power grid from the corrupt politicians. If the people on the island starting working as hard for *their* island as my coworkers on the mainland, they would be the envy of the states. If they choose Independence, I would be happy to move there and help with the skills I have.
Sounds like you saw the worst, too bad.
I personally don’t see how things get better if PR becomes independent. With statehood they gain so many things from economic guarantees and assistance to emergency management expansion dealing with the hurricanes and resulting floods.
Make Puerto Rico a tax haven… trust that the rich will flock there and redevelop the island.
@@enough1494 Not really, I just noticed the things that I saw and what could be changed. The island is absolutely beautiful and the people are great. The land that I saw could be utilized for agriculture and manufacturing near the cities. Outside of the need for raw goods like steel and oil, I believe that the people could make themselves very self sufficient. But it would take a forward thinking leadership, not one that has them convinced they need to be subservient to a declining power.
@@bcollins745 It is true that no poor people employ others, and the rich are needed too. I don't believe that the people of PR know about the Property Tax that we have to pay. They own their homes outright and don't pay a yearly property tax. In the US we only rent our homes (for the annual tax burden) even after we pay off the mortgage. For that reason alone I think statehood is a bad idea.
Let them vote. But if they fail, we don’t send money to fix them!!!!
I’m from Puerto Rico and I agree
I like that idea, they wanna be independent so bad but are gonna fail lol and are gonna regret it 😂
THE TIME HAS COME TO DECIDE ..IS TIME TO GROW UP PUERTO RICO !
Well said
I have mixed feelings on this, on one hand I want to see the people independent and thriving and prosperous for their own determined destiny. But I know that such is impossible without the financial backing of the USA.
The US does not want puerto rico as a state..... They would have become one already
@@ArizonaSonora1 the US really does not want any of its territories to become States because then they would have the full benefits of statehood that they otherwise do not have now.
Not only the financial backing of the USA, but the defense they can provide for PR.
If Puerto Rico had a vibrant economy then I could see them easily voting for independence, but it doesn't have the economy to support itself. So, one or two things will most likely happen. they remain a territory or become a state. I see them right now remaining a territory more than anything else, because once they become a state everything will be switched over to English there and I don't know how keen Puerto Ricans will be about that, since English isn't a requirement to learn there since it's a territory.
Not to mention the hurricane that threaten the Island several times a year.
MANY OF THEM IN CONEY ISLAND BROOKLYN NEW YORK ARE SOOOOO PREJUDICE AGAINST DARK SKIN BUT WOULD HAVE A BLACK BABY LOL LOL 😂😂😂😂
I would like to see Putero Rico as an American State, I’m all for Putero Rican Statehood.
Amazing reporters and God bless
Statehood isn't the miracle solution for puerto rico.
But putting an end (or at least the breaks) to corruption and lavish government spending is.
Puertorican people have been living in a common wealth for decades and have thrived but it is in this modern age that corruption has taken more hold, and the uncontrolled government spending has disrupted the economy.
coincidentally it's the governing party that's pushing statehood with the most corruption cases.
So cool to potentially see a new state in our lifetime. We've taken enough from Puerto Rico over the past few centuries. It's past time to give back.
What have we taken from Puerto Rico the last few centuries other than its name?
@@hihosilencemeviolateme949 oh I forgot Jones act, we pay more for everything, because we are forced to use the USA merchant ships for everything. We can't even get products close to us, because if has to be from a US ship. That applied for petroleum, gas, cars, equipment, everything.
@@hihosilencemeviolateme949 also some masacres like the Ponce massacre. Look for it.
Nah! Puerto Rico needs to be Independent.
No more subjugation!
@@maxmx767 or a state
You neglected to say that even though 52% voted for statehood the turnout was very low and many boycotted the plebiscite.
I think you may be confusing the plebiscite. It's the one where statehood won at 97% which had the low turnout.
@@jonathanvelazquezph.d.2719 You are correct, but why put PHD in your name?
@@noahkrause9102 Piled Higher and Deeper
I'm from Atlanta but I'd love for PR to stay under the U.S. If not, I wouldn't stay in PR. Too many problems as it is. It would just get worse without the U.S.
They should be allowed to choose their own fate. If they want to be a state, I’d welcome them.
me too, it would be a nice 51st state. It would be more like a Hawaii but in the Atlantic ocean
It would be a liberal Democrat vote. Adding two senators and more than one congress post. The GOP would fight statehood. The original island purpose, naval activity, is no longer being used. They receive more benefits than benefits received for the US.
Not necessarily I think Puerto Rico will be a swing state.
Hello how are you doing Jacqueline
Independence in Puerto Rico, sounds like another cuba in the making 🤔 u gotta love democrats for that. Lol
Yeah, I fear for my boribros. It's not gonna turn out how they would want to if they went for that.
PR NEEDS 2 BE A STATE
We ALREADY voted to be a State a few years ago
Puerto Rican's are in our military. They are vibrant, hard working people. Whatever they decide, I wish them the best. (I remember you Guzman!)
People chill it is not convenient for US to let us be independent we are too valuable for them when it comes to trading.
You also forget about the Pharmaceutical cartel that enjoys doing business in PR.
Sadly the citizens of Puerto Rico have no say in the government. Taxation without representation.
Do it Puerto Rico.
Eliminating institutionalized government corruption must be the first step towards rebuilding Puerto Rico. I -had- to leave in 2015, because I decided NOT to procure political favoritism. I stayed and worked on the straight and narrow, and my business failed miserably for doing the right thing. Once we as Puerto Ricans return -to- public service, instead of servicing ourselves from the public, can we build upon what our great-great-grandparents began back long before 1952. Un abrazo a mis hermanos borincanos.
All our state governments are subject to and swayed by corporate lobbying, so why should Puerto Rico be held to the higher standard of a corruption-free political body before being granted equal representation and rights as the other states?
@@leviwoodall8472 The correct answer is we shouldn’t. Although, Puerto Rico has voted to become a state multiple times already, its destiny relies on Congress’ ability to abide to a binding vote, unlikely as it may seem.