Should Puerto Rico be independent?

[Hail Columbia]

I think that it should.  Puerto Rico is too culturally, linguistically, and societally distinct from the United States to be considered a natural part thereof.  Assimilating the Puerto Ricans living in Puerto Rico is a logistical and ethical impossibility; the opportunity to do so disappeared long ago, and it is by virtue of the continued possession of Puerto Rico by the United States that is a major factor in the general failure of assimilating the Puerto Rican population living in the American mainland.  So, in order for America to be a linguistically homogeneous nation (with all people being able to speak the same language, English), as well as a culturally homogeneous nation (by which Puerto Ricans in the American mainland are made to accept the English language, the American culture, and American values as being first and foremost), Puerto Rico must become an independent country.

[Shamgar]

I's vote for that. It's mostly just a financial and welfare drain.

[RationalThought110]

You've made good points. 

[Zelhar]

I voted no. You can never get rid of the Puertoricans, i think more of them live in the States than in their Island. And if the USA was going to make it independent all of them would still have American citizenship.

[White Israelite]

I think they should become independent.

[Hail Columbia]

I voted no. You can never get rid of the Puertoricans, i think more of them live in the States than in their Island. And if the USA was going to make it independent all of them would still have American citizenship.

First of all, there are still more Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico than in the United States, although by a small margin, 3,994,259 > 3,987,947.  Secondly, once we give Puerto Rico independence, Puerto Ricans still living in Puerto Rico will lose their American citizenship, and we will make it difficult for them to regain it, first by making fluency in English a requirement for citizenship, and by banning dual citizenship for certain nationalities.  For example, an American citizen cannot be a dual citizen of a country such as Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, or Saudi Arabia.  Obviously enough, an American citizen cannot also be a dual citizen of an independent Puerto Rico.  And, there is no need to get rid of the Puerto Ricans in the United States.  All that is really needed to be done at this point is to assimilate them.  Isolating them from the Spanish language will bring us so much closer to that goal.

[Dan]

If Puerto Rico wasn't a Common Wealth of the U.S. it would resemble Dominican Republic.

[Americanhero1]

HailColumbia are you puertorican?

[Zelhar]

I voted no. You can never get rid of the Puertoricans, i think more of them live in the States than in their Island. And if the USA was going to make it independent all of them would still have American citizenship.

First of all, there are still more Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico than in the United States, although by a small margin, 3,994,259 > 3,987,947.  Secondly, once we give Puerto Rico independence, Puerto Ricans still living in Puerto Rico will lose their American citizenship, and we will make it difficult for them to regain it, first by making fluency in English a requirement for citizenship, and by banning dual citizenship for certain nationalities.  For example, an American citizen cannot be a dual citizen of a country such as Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, or Saudi Arabia.  Obviously enough, an American citizen cannot also be a dual citizen of an independent Puerto Rico.  And, there is no need to get rid of the Puerto Ricans in the United States.  All that is really needed to be done at this point is to assimilate them.  Isolating them from the Spanish language will bring us so much closer to that goal.

You think you could do so much- baning dual nationality revoking American citizenship... right now America can't even stop illegals from becoming naturalized citizens. If you can assimilate the Puertoricans in the 50 states I think it would also partially assimilate the Islanders. And besides the Islanders who remain on the Island are not a problem anyway.

[Hail Columbia]

HailColumbia are you puertorican?

No, I'm an American who was born in the state of New York, and has lived here for my entire life.  I identify myself as a New Yorker-American.

You think you could do so much- baning dual nationality revoking American citizenship... right now America can't even stop illegals from becoming naturalized citizens. If you can assimilate the Puertoricans in the 50 states I think it would also partially assimilate the Islanders. And besides the Islanders who remain on the Island are not a problem anyway.

Are you implying that doing anything of that sort is impossible to carry out?  Assimilation of the Puerto Ricans in the United States can only really happen if Puerto Rico becomes independent, but the Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico can keep their language, culture, etc..., since they are their own nation at that point.  If I had thought otherwise, then I would have not advocated Puerto Rican independence.  And, banning dual citizenship is not an unpopular idea here in the US.

[Americanhero1]

HailColumbia are you puertorican?

No, I'm an American who was born in the state of New York, and has lived here for my entire life.  I identify myself as a New Yorker-American.

You think you could do so much- baning dual nationality revoking American citizenship... right now America can't even stop illegals from becoming naturalized citizens. If you can assimilate the Puertoricans in the 50 states I think it would also partially assimilate the Islanders. And besides the Islanders who remain on the Island are not a problem anyway.

Are you implying that doing anything of that sort is impossible to carry out?  Assimilation of the Puerto Ricans in the United States can only really happen if Puerto Rico becomes independent, but the Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico can keep their language, culture, etc..., since they are their own nation at that point.  If I had thought otherwise, then I would have not advocated Puerto Rican independence.  And, banning dual citizenship is not an unpopular idea here in the US.

What is your nationality are you hispanic?

[Hail Columbia]

I am of American nationality, and of ethnic Spanish ancestry.  I am the first person in my family to be born in the United States.

[Americanhero1]

I am of American nationality, and of ethnic Spanish ancestry.  I am the first person in my family to be born in the United States.

 But is your family from Puerto Rico?

[Hail Columbia]

I am of American nationality, and of ethnic Spanish ancestry.  I am the first person in my family to be born in the United States.

 But is your family from Puerto Rico?

Both of my parents come from the Dominican Republic, but I do not identify with that nationality.

[Americanhero1]

I am of American nationality, and of ethnic Spanish ancestry.  I am the first person in my family to be born in the United States.

 But is your family from Puerto Rico?

Both of my parents come from the Dominican Republic, but I do not identify with that nationality.

So if your parents are Dominican why do you care what Puerto Rico should do?

[Hail Columbia]

I am of American nationality, and of ethnic Spanish ancestry.  I am the first person in my family to be born in the United States.

 But is your family from Puerto Rico?

Both of my parents come from the Dominican Republic, but I do not identify with that nationality.

So if your parents are Dominican why do you care what Puerto Rico should do?

Because I'm an American who believes that America should be officially defined as an Anglophone nation, and should therefore not come into possession of any non-Anglophone polities if it has no intention of Americanizing them.  I would feel differently if over a century ago, instead of Puerto Rico, we had come into possession of Guyana, Belize, or the Bahamas, since all of those countries are Anglophone.

[Americanhero1]

I am of American nationality, and of ethnic Spanish ancestry.  I am the first person in my family to be born in the United States.

 But is your family from Puerto Rico?

Both of my parents come from the Dominican Republic, but I do not identify with that nationality.

So if your parents are Dominican why do you care what Puerto Rico should do?

Because I'm an American who believes that America should be officially defined as an Anglophone nation, and should therefore not come into possession of any non-Anglophone polities if it has no intention of Americanizing them.  I would feel differently if over a century ago, instead of Puerto Rico, we had come into possession of Guyana, Belize, or the Bahamas, since all of those countries are Anglophone.

I agree with you on that America should not get involved with non Anglohone countries

Map of nations using English as an official language or as the predominant non-official language

[takebackourtemple]

   The choice should be given to them as a one time vote. They should no longer have the option to remain a partial American territory. If they choose to join as a state, they should have to get rid of Spanish completely with no ifs, ands, or buts and no press 1 fors.

[Americanhero1]

   The choice should be given to them as a one time vote. They should no longer have the option to remain a partial American territory. If they choose to join as a state, they should have to get rid of Spanish completely with no ifs, ands, or buts and no press 1 fors.

I dont think they want to join as a state because they dont want to pay state taxes like all 50 states do

[takebackourtemple]

   Actually they do now. When they kicked the military off of their Island they lost their primary source of revenue so now they have to pay taxes.

[Americanhero1]

   Actually they do now. When they kicked the military off of their Island they lost their primary source of revenue so now they have to pay taxes.

When did they kick military off the Island?

[RationalThought110]

Are you implying that doing anything of that sort is impossible to carry out?  Assimilation of the Puerto Ricans in the United States can only really happen if Puerto Rico becomes independent, but the Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico can keep their language, culture, etc..., since they are their own nation at that point.  If I had thought otherwise, then I would have not advocated Puerto Rican independence.  And, banning dual citizenship is not an unpopular idea here in the US.

Good points. 

[RationalThought110]

So if your parents are Dominican why do you care what Puerto Rico should do?

Why shouldn't he be allowed to care? 

[takebackourtemple]

Here is a quick link:

http://www.pww.org/article/view/5061/1/210/

I don't have time to find others right now.

[White Israelite]

Last time I went to Puerto Rico, I was told they didn't have to pay taxes. Anyways Puerto Rico is nice but I don't see any benefit having it as a commonwealth.