With the spotlight on Puerto Rico following the recent Somos conference, this week, we asked readers for their thoughts on whether the island should become the 51st state or maintain its independence.

 

“I feel that Puerto Rico should stay the way it is and maintain their independence. They don’t get enough support. I really don’t know. I don’t live there so I don’t know what’s going on exactly. But I know from what I see, and from what my family tells me, it would be nice to maintain their independence, but I don’t think they will be able to continue to support themselves.”

Alma Maisonet,

Parkchester

“Yes, I am a proud Puerto Rican, born and raised in the South Bronx. Both my parents were from the island and my grandmother was a significant influence on my life. At one time, I believed the island should be the 51st state, because of its benefits. However, after witnessing how they were treated after Hurricane Maria, my feelings have changed. Puerto Rico should be left to be completely independent and free.”

Flora Montes,

Soundview

 

“I am Puerto Rican and yes, I would love for Puerto Rico to become the 51st state. That way, residents can have all the benefits of being American citizens in the United States, and the island always being well protected by the U.S. military.

¡Que Viva Puerto Rico!”

Elizabeth Sepúlveda,

Clason Point

 

 

“Puerto Rico had decided not to be a Commonwealth state. Puerto Rico should become the 51st state, because it can help with money problems the people of Puerto Rico are having. The people of Puerto Rico want to become the 51st state and we claimed Puerto Rico during the Spanish-American War. The island has problems from the hurricanes, and nobody ever helps out and the people are left to fend for themselves. I think if Puerto Rico becomes a state, the residents can get the help they deserve and live a better quality of life. Enjoying statehood, they would be able to pursue and live the American dream on the island.”

Antonia Santiago,

Grand Concourse

 

“The best thing for Puerto Rico is to remain independent and stop being a colony of the United States. Puerto Rico has an economy of consumers which only benefits America and the Jobs Act law, and many others like Act 22 that gives tax incentives to outsiders who are not native to Puerto Rico, and locals do not benefit from these tax benefits. Congress purposefully ignores the plebiscite and vote of all Puerto Ricans, because if PR becomes independent or a state, the outsiders will no longer benefit from the tax haven they receive right now. Puerto Rico is being sold, and the illegal debt is being legalized by the Fiscal Control Board and they are raising taxes on all goods until 2052 to pay this illegal debt that the United States created with the Jones Act.”

Tony Also,

Brooklyn

 

Editor’s Note: The JOBS Act is a law intended to encourage funding of small businesses in the U.S. by easing many of the country’s securities regulations. The Jones Act is a federal statute establishing support for the development and maintenance of a merchant marine to support commercial activity and serve as a naval auxiliary in times of war or national emergency.