I am so disappointed with the responses on this thread, but it seems par for the course when it somes to Puerto Rico as a topic. Many here on FR want to ignore that Puerto Ricans are Americans. That they are loyal, that they have paid this country with the blood and lives of the men and women who have sacrificed in wars for America over and over and over.How many on this thread who are PR-bashing have even served in the military or been to PR.
My so-called blood sucking federal money pit welfare PR relatives have served, and served with distinction. They served in Korea, they served in Vietnam, and they are serving now in Iraq. And you know what? Thats REAL PATRIOTISM. They serve even when they can't vote. They serve even though they have to put up with attitudes like the ones on this thread.
And sorry to disappoint you, but not one single criminal in my PR family. No one going to jail, no one been in jail. Too busy going to college, or holding down two jobs, or serving in the military.
Do you mean you don't like:
Puerto Rico . . .
You ugly island . . .
Island of tropic diseases.
Always the hurricanes blowing,
Always the population growing . . .
And the money owing,
And the babies crying,
And the bullets flying.
I like the island Manhattan.
Smoke on your pipe and put that in!
Talk about "cutting PR loose" is just talk. Puerto Ricans are US citizens, you can't separate a US citizen from his citizenship, which means that the island is US territory whatever happens.
There is no independence movement among Puerto Ricans worthy of the name. As for the decision not to charge federal income tax to islanders, thats a decision Congress can change anytime it wants to. It just has to do it.
Puerto Rico has a kind of autonomy, but it is no more than the autonomy that any state would have if the 9th and 10th ammendments were honored. That, again, is something that mainlanders need to address. And something islanders need to consider as they negotiate the terms of statehood or continued "territorial" status.
I was in the military and served with folks from puerto rico.
I don't understand why the rate of poverty there is what it is?
I don't know what the crime rate is in regards to puerto ricans?
Why are you defensive?
I didn't imply that puerto ricans aren't Americans.
You were born a citizen, and you will die one. You didn't ask anyone's permission to become one, and you don't need anyone's permission.
You live in one of the most beautiful places on this earth. Living well and happily is its own best "revenge".
re: your #30 - Luv it! Raices de Acero Boricua with a Texas flag - that is one bad-assed combination! Kind of like when our great President Bush, during his 2002 SOTU when he was talkin' bout how many terrorists we'd gotten so far, squares his shoulders and sez, "they won't be botherin' us or our allies any more"... that was so "Don't Mess with Texas" that I let out a whoop!
Dios Bendiga y Guarde...
USCG retired sends
PS: Viva Puerto Rico, U S A!!!!