(I recently joined the Facebook group “I Support the Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2009” and wrote a column in EL BORICUA about the unresolved issue of Puerto Rico’s political status. Here’s a synopsis – )
The future of Puerto Rico has been in status quo limbo since the 1952 constitution that officially created an unincorporated territory of the U.S. with commonwealth status. Puerto Rico’s political status is an emotionally charged and often culturally sensitive issue for Puerto Ricans on the island and mainland.
To understand the future of Puerto Rican politics one must visit the island’s past and present political status. Votes expressing opinions on political proposals, known as plebiscites, were held in 1967, 1993, and 1998, and Puerto Rican residents chose not to alter the existing commonwealth status over the possible independence of Puerto Rico or statehood.
Puerto Rico today does not stand unified toward a collective political status. Puerto Ricans must define Puerto Rico’s future. Commonwealth status was not intended to be a final political destination. It is time for Boricuas to move from the status quo and find strength to become the 51st U.S. state, or an independent nation.
(To read the full column in EL BORICUA click here.)
I don't think Puerto Ricans on the island really want to define their political status. If they did, it would have been defined by now. There always seems to be a few steps, but then nothing changes. The mindset of voters is what has to change. They can't be so blinded with partisan politics and they must vote on issues.
The Puerto Ricans who leave the island to advance themselves are the future, to disenfranchise them because they do not happen to have an address on the island is wrong.
Any vote should include the expatriate population.
I believe that everyone here, including Mr. Velez, would strongly benefit from visiting the website http://www.tuopinionpr.com, before voicing your opinions, as it a clear that none of you (so far) have a grasp on what the people of P.R., really want. Puertoricans are eager to solve this situation, if nothing has been done yet is because of ruthless politicians and the disinformation they spread in order to confuse the voters, this keeping the status quo. The PPD has been trying to unsuccesfully "define" both, the current status as well as what in the world they want, since the only real options are independence and statehood. Their inactions and obstructions are what keep this an unsolved issue, always on the table, and I'm the backburner
Puerto Rico's political status will more than likely remain indecisive and continue to become a Commonwealth. Puerto Rico maintains certain rights of a US state and still identify themselves as an individual culture.
I believe they should stay the status quo and maintain the balance. Should they become an independent country I fear their economic and political situation will collapse the island and we'll see another wave of illegal immigration issues.
The educated determined to succeed PR citizen self select themselves off the Island. The Expatriate population should be allowed to vote for either statehood or continued Commonwealth.
PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF PR CAN SAY ANYTHING THEY THINK,…IT IS NOT EASY TO CHANGE THE STATUS WHEN BIG CORPORATION ARE MANIPULATING THE ISSUE !!! LOCALS SURVEY ALWAYS INDICATES THAT 78% (4+-) CHOOSE STATE HOOD OVER THE OTHER TWO OPTIONS, 90 % IN PR SPEAK BOTH LENGUAGE, BUT THIS FACTS HAD BEING TAKEN AWAY FROM THE EYES OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE MAKING THEIR MIND TO MAKE THEM BELIVE THAT WE AREN'T GOOD ENOUGH…OR WE ARE SO DIFRENT FRON U.S……JUST TO KEEP THE PEOPLE IN A IGNORANT NATIONALISM TO KEEP THE BALANCE OF THE STATUS QUO (wich give this corporation a free tax paradise, w/ a out of justice labor system full of coruption) FEEDING OTHERS BACK IN THE MAINLAND ….IN OTHER WORDS THIS PEOPLE USE PR AS A DIRTY MONEY FARMLAND..THE SAD PART OF ALL …..THIS CORPS AND PEOPLE BEHIND THIS ARE PUERTORICANS…..TAKING AWAY THE OPORTUNITY FROM THEIR OWN PEOPLE, TAKING AWAY THE CHANCE OF BECOME BETTER IN THE FUTURE …JUST BECAUSE ALL THEY WANT EASY MONEY!!!