Will Puerto Rico ever become a state of the union? Or will it go the other way and keep getting greater and greater autonomy? There isn’t much desire for independence and I don’t see that changing in the near future.
Puerto Rico has been getting greater autonomy? Apart from having a Governor and nonvoting delegates in Congress, I’m not seeing it.
I think over the years, while there have been difficulties (like the question of the future of Vieques in the 80’s and 90’s), Puerto Ricans have been more happy with the the status quo than either independence or statehood. PR politicians are inevitably asked about this question, but I think they’d rather duck it, as those who took a lead either way have always been defeated in the last 4 or 5 decades. I think that shows that the politics in PR means the folks aren’t either feeling oppressed by the US, or feeling under-represented.
No. Puerto Ricans don’t really WANT statehood. Puerto Rico is a pretty awesome place really. It’s very laid back and relaxed, why get all up in other people’s business when you can just save money on your taxes?
Well, that might express the mainstream view, I’d say.
(a) Actually, HALF of Puerto Ricans*** DO*** want statehood.
(b) Yeah, it is a pretty awesome place…
(c) …but you’ve obviously not been down here recently. Some serious hot-under-the-collar mood afoot. I blame Bush, of course 
(d) If you know where the heck are all those tax savings, let me know, 'cause I’m getting buggered vigorously by the Revenue Office :p. I think my tax load is similar to what it would be if I lived in Maryland or maybe Massachussetts, Feds included.
For an extensive elaboration from Yrs. Truly on the situation in PR and the possibilities involved in statehood, see my posts in this old thread: Let’s debate the future of Puerto Rico, as well as prior writings in this post, and in this older thread as well as these two earlier posts.