Mostly good points, but one implied one that I am uncomfortable with. PR has indeed had multiple chances to vote for statehood and the people have said no. That’s fine, it’s their choice. If they want in, it should be require a super majority of at least 60%.
That said I am not wild about NRO’s implied opposition to statehood on principal. We have owned PR since Teddy Roosevelt (the original neo-con) stole it from Spain (who had stolen it from its indigenous population) back in 1898. Since then the people of that island territory have enjoyed many, though not all of the privileges of being Americans. And more importantly, tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans have died fighting for this country. As far as I’m concerned, if and when they decide they want statehood, then they are in. The right to statehood has been bought and paid for by the blood of their people.
The other stuff is side issues that we can deal with if and when it becomes necessary.
Actually it was William McKinley who was President when we took Puerto Rico from Spain in 1898. Teddy Roosevelt was assistant secretary of the US Navy under McKinley (later Vice President when McKinley was re-elected since Vice President Garret Hobart had died in office).
Actually it was William McKinley who was President when we took Puerto Rico from Spain in 1898. Teddy Roosevelt was assistant secretary of the US Navy under McKinley (later Vice President when McKinley was re-elected since Vice President Garret Hobart had died in office).
So you think that a brokle welfare-state island, which is a third world country in all but name, whose residents have relatively low English literacy rates, and who have a distinct culture, should be Americans if 51% of those voting in stacked election choose to get new welfare benefits?