# (Poll) Should Puerto Rico become a state of the US? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 23, 2012, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-should-puerto-rico-become-a-state-of-the-us/619698 "2012-04-23T16:00:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-should-puerto-rico-become-a-state-of-the-us/619698/1 "2012-04-23T16:00:59Z")
Apparently there is going to be _another_ referendum on the future of Puerto Rico later this year. Should Puerto Rico become a full state of the United States? ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-should-puerto-rico-become-a-state-of-the-us/619698/2 "2012-04-23T16:10:26Z")
I voted yes as an American, but my caveat is that the majority of Puerto Ricans must want statehood and that they don’t get any special good deals that aren’t enjoyed by the other 50 states. On the other hand, if they want to be an independent nation, that’s their right also. I’m not sure I understand the point of them being just a territory of the US - they should be one of us, or not, at least that’s the way it works in my black-and-white world. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Hermitian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hermitian/32/470_2.png) [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-should-puerto-rico-become-a-state-of-the-us/619698/3 "2012-04-23T17:16:40Z")
No. The number Fifty is just too pretty and nice and round. Fifty one is just ugly. It looks like you aimed for fifty and missed. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-should-puerto-rico-become-a-state-of-the-us/619698/4 "2012-04-23T17:18:44Z")
I voted no. Why should they change? They have the best of both worlds. No US taxes (yes I know they have their own income taxes, but unlike me, who has not lived in the US for 43 years, they also don’t have to file US tax returns), they can immigrate freely, no questions asked (even in Alabama). To me it seems like a slam-dunk and I expect it will seem the same to them. ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-should-puerto-rico-become-a-state-of-the-us/619698/5 "2012-04-23T17:26:18Z")
I didn’t vote because frankly whatever they decide is fine with me. ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-should-puerto-rico-become-a-state-of-the-us/619698/6 "2012-04-23T17:30:54Z")
> [@ratatoskK](#): > > I didn’t vote because frankly whatever they decide is fine with me. Me too. Sure, if they want to. And I’m fine with it if they don’t want to as well. ---
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-should-puerto-rico-become-a-state-of-the-us/619698/7 "2012-04-23T17:37:29Z")
I don’t really care one way or another. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-should-puerto-rico-become-a-state-of-the-us/619698/8 "2012-04-23T17:41:11Z")
I voted yes because then I’d stop having to argue with people who insist Puerto Rico isn’t part of the United States. The critical issue with regards to Puerto Rican legal status is my personal convenience, as is the case with all issues. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-should-puerto-rico-become-a-state-of-the-us/619698/9 "2012-04-23T17:45:05Z")
If the people of Puerto Rico want to make it state, then by all means they should be made a state. If they don’t, then they can stay as they are. It’s not up to me to decide. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-should-puerto-rico-become-a-state-of-the-us/619698/10 "2012-04-23T17:55:58Z")
I’m curious - if PR were to become a state, how many representatives/electors would it receive? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-should-puerto-rico-become-a-state-of-the-us/619698/11 "2012-04-23T18:00:54Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > I’m curious - if PR were to become a state, how many representatives/electors would it receive? Five representatives and seven electors. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-should-puerto-rico-become-a-state-of-the-us/619698/12 "2012-04-23T18:08:39Z")
I voted yes because I think having overseas territories is untidy and whiffs a little bit of colonialism. Plus, I really want a state that doesn’t have an English-speaking majority, just to piss off the English-only crowd. I think we should add the following states: Puerto Rico Guam and the Marianas Samoa [obviously only American Samoa] Virgin Islands, optionally renamed South Virginia [again, obviously only the American VI] I’m also in favor of reverting DC the state that spawned it. I do understand that there are advantages to the current status quo, but I operate under **RickJay** ’s logic. ---
**Author:** ![Wargamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Wargamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wargamer)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-should-puerto-rico-become-a-state-of-the-us/619698/13 "2012-04-23T18:10:07Z")
IMO they should either join up or go their own way. And I’m fine with either choice, let them decide. Heck, it’s a free country, or territory, or commonwealth, or whatever. But, I’m not fond of these imperialist remnants from the turn of the century. (And I feel the same way about the Virgin Islands and the Marianas as well. I’m not hung up on the sanctity of 50. 53 is just fine by me. Might as well have a prime number of states.) ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-should-puerto-rico-become-a-state-of-the-us/619698/14 "2012-04-23T18:17:15Z")
I voted ‘no’ based on the fact that they don’t seem to want to become a state. I have no problem with the status quo. If they change their minds, I have no problem with them becoming a state. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-should-puerto-rico-become-a-state-of-the-us/619698/15 "2012-04-23T18:30:16Z")
If PR did become a state, I expect it would really wind up my backyard neighbor. A few years ago, he stopped while I was working in the yard to tell me that someone was sneaking thru my yard at night, someone like the foreigners that lived next door to me - the Puerto Ricans. :rolleyes: We haven’t spoken since that day, but I’m sure he’s relieved that the “foreign” Puerto Rican lady sold her house to a nice young white family a couple of years ago. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-should-puerto-rico-become-a-state-of-the-us/619698/16 "2012-04-23T18:39:12Z")
Whatever they want is fine with me. They _are_ Democrats, right? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-should-puerto-rico-become-a-state-of-the-us/619698/17 "2012-04-23T18:39:31Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > I voted yes because I think having overseas territories is untidy and whiffs a little bit of colonialism. Plus, I really want a state that doesn’t have an English-speaking majority, just to piss off the English-only crowd. > > I think we should add the following states: > > Puerto Rico > Guam and the Marianas > Samoa [obviously only American Samoa] > Virgin Islands, optionally renamed South Virginia [again, obviously only the American VI] The population of the latter three is far below a reasonable threshhold for the assignment of a Representative in the House. It would seem especially bizarre to assign them Senators, when even combined they’d have far fewer people than any other state. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-should-puerto-rico-become-a-state-of-the-us/619698/18 "2012-04-23T19:20:26Z")
Just for the record, my “Yes” vote was based on my interpretation that there’s an unstated “if they want to” at the end of the question. I think all of our territories should be given the opportunity to become either a standalone state or a part of an existing state if they so choose, so that everyone is treated alike. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-should-puerto-rico-become-a-state-of-the-us/619698/19 "2012-04-23T20:51:07Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > I voted yes as an American, but my caveat is that the majority of Puerto Ricans must want statehood and that they don’t get any special good deals that aren’t enjoyed by the other 50 states. On the other hand, if they want to be an independent nation, that’s their right also. I’m not sure I understand the point of them being just a territory of the US - they should be one of us, or not, at least that’s the way it works in my black-and-white world. > > 😃 Pretty much agree, it’s not my decision but I haven’t anything against statehood. As far as the flag thing goes, I believe there are already proposed flags for 51, 52, 53 etc. states, and they all look pretty good. > [@silenus](#): > > Whatever they want is fine with me. > > They _are_ Democrats, right? Some of both. They have the interesting situation where one can be a member of the Democratic Party AND the New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico etc. The PR parties have D and R factions. The Governor is R and NPP. > [@Dr.Drake](#): > > I voted yes because I think having overseas territories is untidy and whiffs a little bit of colonialism. Plus, I really want a state that doesn’t have an English-speaking majority, just to piss off the English-only crowd. 1. With no territories, we can be uppity to Britain and France. 2. No English speaking majority; have you BEEN to Los Angeles? 🙂 Samoa is one of those where the inhabitants are NOT US Citizens, I have no idea how that affects things for them. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-should-puerto-rico-become-a-state-of-the-us/619698/20 "2012-04-23T20:52:25Z")
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