6. 11. 17

97% in favor of statehood. The numbers just rushed in. But, like most things in life, there’s a catch.

Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory since 1898, voted Sunday, June 11, 2017, not for the first time to become a State. An overwhelming 97% in favor. However, although Puerto Rico is notorious for a high percentage of voter participation, a mere 23% came out to the polls.

Why?

There are various reasons. Belief that the poll was already rigged and their vote didn’t matter. Lack of transportation. Boycott.

Although the other 77% reasons remain unclear or unknown, here is what I am sure of:

Puerto Rico is in trouble. Deep trouble. 74 billion dollars deep actually. And that’s just their debt—another 49 billion is racked up in pensions.

What’s more than the money? Their education system, their poverty rate, and their unemployment levels. Just to start. Upon filing bankruptcy, Puerto Rico announced their closing of 150 public schools. This impact on their already suffering country will be catastrophic.

Before we get into the deep of it, here are some quick facts:

So here we are. Two big reasons we should welcome Puerto Rico. For their sake and ours. If they want us.

1. They'll have a voice.

Puerto Rico has been a territory for over a hundred years now. But what does that mean?

Basically, Puerto Rico is a possession of the United States with very few benefits to come with it. Puerto Rico is legally held under the U.S. Constitution, but since it is not a state, it has no rights, responsibilities, or powers that the other fifty bodies have.

Puerto Rico is essentially governed by the U.S. Congress---yet they have no representatives. Puerto Rico does not get to send senators or reps to D.C, instead, they have a Resident Commissioner. This sounds nice until you realize he has no voting rights.

Puerto Rico also has no voting rights in major U.S. elections. Donald Trump really isn't their president. Well, he is, but they didn't have a say.

2. They'll have relief.

Puerto Rico is living well below the poverty line. The United State's average income comes in around 52,000 dollars. Puerto Rico citizens bring in about 16,000.

Their education is lacking---especially now that their system has basically been shut down, their people starving and living food stamp to food stamp, and their identity is scattered.

If the United States brought Puerto Rico in as a state, they would once again be set up for a positive upwards trajectory. Their economy and citizens would finally be allowed to recover from the 2008 crisis.

As of 6:58 pm Central Time, the United States debt fell at a hefty 19,940,687,253,582 dollars. That's about 61K per citizen. 72 billion is not even 4% of the US National Debt–and it's not like it gets tacked on to our own debt if they become a state.

In fact, the U.S. would actually benefit from Puerto Rico becoming a state. Puerto Rico actually costs the United States about 22 billion dollars each year with little financial return. If it becomes a state, Puerto Rico is projected to add about 2 billion in income and taxes to the country.

I'll cheers to that.

Puerto Rico will gain voting privileges, will add to U.S. tax revenue, will be given a new start, and will improve its quality of life. More job opportunities and a voice to daily governing decisions will change their entire island.

Here's the 'but'...

Puerto Rico is losing a lot as well by becoming America's 51st state.

They're losing their individuality as its own country---or rather, Commonwealth. Culture and their national language will be taking a big hit.

And the United State's poverty and crime rates will skyrocket. And although they have access to Medicaid and Medicare, there will be excessive additional costs once other welfare and government programs open up to them.Along with even more welfare costs.

Now, that's one way you could look at it. Maybe it's because I'm a hopeless optimist, but I like to look at the possibility and probability of Puerto Rico's crimes and poverty lowering---bettering citizen's lives---rather than the United States statistics going up a few numbers. Is allowing a majority of three million people to live in poverty and unsafe environments really better than saving a little face?

So here we are...

Maybe I stand alone. Maybe the past will repeat itself and Congress will once again leave the island in status quo. No independence, no statehood, just... the crippling condition they're already at. Maybe I'm ignorant and the American heart, the one that sends relief to Haiti and disaster zones all around the world, has hardened.

But I pray it hasn't. So, with the chance of being wrong, I'll say it for those who can't or won't.

Puerto Rico, if you will take US(of A), we will take you.