This meant Puerto Rico … In light of recent articles arguing whether the situation in Puerto Rico differs from that of Greece, specifically by how the United States does better by having a closely knit fiscal union, this article from 2011 struck a cord with us. But, Puerto Rico’s relationship to the United States remains hotly debated. Today, Puerto Rico remains a Commonwealth. In fact, Puerto Rico is a more popular candidate for becoming America’s 51st state than any other US territory or Washington DC, according to a new YouGov poll on America’s potential 51st state. Culture (food, music..ect) doesn’t bring much more than new yoricans have already brought. During his visit to Puerto Rico on Oct. 3, he complained about the cost of the federal response; ... just $2 billion shy of what the state of Vermont contributed in taxes during the same period. There have been discussions about making Puerto Rico the 51st state of the United States of America. Puerto Rico needs the United States statehood FAR more then the United States needs Puerto Rico. Four years later, the U.S. approved the Constitution of Puerto Rico, establishing it as a commonwealth of the United States. A 2012 status referendum found that 61% supported statehood and in December 11 of that year, the legislature in Puerto Rico requested that action be taken on the results, end their current form of territorial status and start the process for admitting the country to the Union as a state. So just like the people of Texas and Florida these people have a … A majority of Americans would support Puerto Rico becoming a full-fledged state in the United States of America. Puerto Ricans were granted U.S. … The United States bought Puerto Rico under the Treaty of Paris from Spain in 1898. Like any state, it both contributes to and accepts help from the federal government. Puerto Ricans are by law natural-born citizens of the United States and may move freely between the island and the mainland. Of course, as Philip Bump notes, Puerto Rico is indeed part of the United States. In 1967, 60% of Puerto Ricans voted to maintain their commonwealth status, while … As a Caribbean scholar of security and national defense, I would contend that helping Puerto Rico is actually in the United States’ own best interest. Puerto Ricans voted on their status in 1967, 1991, 1993, and 1998. I don’t mean to sound pessimistic, but Puerto Rico would be better, … The United States took control of Puerto Rico from Spain in 1898 — and its status has been debated ever since. Before the United States annexed Puerto Rico in 1898, statehood was a matter of when, not if: Every territory acquired by the United States would eventually become a … Far more then the United States statehood FAR more then the United States remains hotly debated Americans would support Rico... 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