The Status Of Puerto Rico essays

The Status Of Puerto Rico essays What Should the Status of Puerto Rico Be? Puerto Rico is located in the Caribbean Sea. Puerto Rico has been a Commonwealth under the United States since July 25, 1952 when Governor Mu Ferr favored statehood for Puerto Rico. After his election there were many unsuccessful attempts to make Puerto Rico into the 51st state. After more than 30 years the question still stands. What should the status of Puerto Rico be? There are three options for the status of Puerto Rico (Puerto One option for the status of Puerto Rico is to become the 51st state of the United States of America. A lot of people disagree with this option. Since currently Puerto Rico doesnt pay taxes and sixty percent of Puerto Ricos citizens are classified as living at poverty, and then U.S. taxpayers or employed citizens are worried that if Puerto Rico becomes a state that their taxes will increase dramatically (Hamill 26). Already forty percent of the people on the island get federal benefits (Buchanan 35). The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico already costs mainland U.S. taxpayers over $6 billion dollars each year. The state of Puerto Rico could cost residents of Another option is to remain a Commonwealth. Puerto Rico, after being in Commonwealth for 32 years, still cant make the decision of become a state or taking care of its own self and becoming an independent nation. Governor Pedro Rossello pleaded with Puerto Rican citizens to vote for a final decision. Forty eight percent of the citizens voted to retain the commonwealth status, forty six percent chose statehood and four chose independence ( Puerto Rico, See graph on page 4). The majority of Puerto Rican citizens want Puerto Rico to remain in Commonwealth, but ...