Puerto Rico wants to become the 51st state of the US

[Jazzy]

Voters in Puerto Rico have supported a non-binding referendum to become a full US state.



The measure will require approval from the US Congress, but President Barack Obama has said he will respect the vote.



The island is currently a US territory, which uses the dollar and whose citizens travel on US passports.



But it does not return senators to the US Congress and is represented in Washington by a non-voting delegate.



Almost 80% of the island's electorate took part in the referendum, the fourth in the past 45 years.



With almost all the votes counted, almost 54% voted to change the island's relationship with the US.



And in reply to a second question on what future they favoured, nearly two-thirds wanted full statehood.



If Congress grants its approval, Puerto Ricans would have the right to vote in all US elections, but would also have to pay federal taxes, something at present they are excused from.



The island has been hit hard by the current recession - it has debts of $68bn (£42bn) and unemployment is more than 13%.



President Barack Obama, who visited the island last year, has said he will respect the will of Puerto Ricans if there is a clear majority.



Any change would require approval by the US Congress.

Full article



How the heck are they going to pay federal taxes when the island has been hit hard by the current recession - it has debts of $68bn (£42bn) and unemployment is more than 13%. Just what we need now is to go further into debt by allowing Puerto Rico to become our 51st state.



What are your thoughts on this?

 

[Evil Eye]

Economically, on the short term at least, I wouldn't consider it a great idea. On the long term, who knows?

For the sake of fairness, I'd say let them. Overseas territories are such strange things...

Just what we need now is to go further into debt by allowing Puerto Rico to become our 51st state.

Isn't it already your debt? It's not like it's its own country.

 

[Flurry]

When I heard about this the first time. I kept wondering how was this our 51st state. Cause I kept thinking we already had 52 of em. But boy was I wrong.