Preview

Compare and Contrast on Puerto Rico

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
458 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Compare and Contrast on Puerto Rico
Alex Muniz
1A 3/11

The first thing that comes to mind when a person hears Puerto Rico is "tropical paradise" (Mumford!). What most people don't know is that Puerto Rico is an under developed U.S. commonwealth, and that like most places, it has very unfortunate locations. I believe that Puerto Rico unlike the U.S. has a lot of advancements to make, and that it should become a state. The first thing that should change is the school system. A public school system in the U.S. is currently what a private school in Puerto Rico can offer. Another problem in Puerto Rico is facilities, most of the schools in Puerto Rico have a capacity of two hundred and fifty students, a fourth of what a Patterson Mill has. If Puerto Rico becomes a state the chances of it becoming a better education resource are extremely high. To me the most important thing that the U.S. would bring is variety. In the U.S. there so many more sports and extracurricular activities that Puerto Rico could adapt. It’s not true that Puerto Ricans pay no federal taxes. Residents of the island do not pay federal income taxes. But then, since the three federal income tax cuts of the last decade forty five percent of mainland Americans don’t pay federal income taxes, either. Puerto Ricans pay Social Security and Medicare taxes, which fund their federal retirement and health care benefits. Companies doing business in Puerto Rico are nearly exempt from federal corporate taxes. Statehood would cause companies there to pay corporate taxes. Puerto Ricans cannot vote in presidential elections. They can vote in presidential primaries, which are run by the parties, and have no senators or true members of the House of Representatives. If Puerto Rico became a state its residents would vote for president and command approximately the same number of electors as Oregon. The new state would have two senators and four to five representatives. Membership of the Senate would rise to one hundred and two, while the four

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Of course with Juan Ponce de Leon being the governor and European “founder” of Puerto Rico, he believed that colonies should be self-governed within the colony. But, while he does believe that new lands should be self governed by who ever discovered the land first, what sets him apart is his ideas that all benefits of the colony should be given back to the “mother country” (In his case, Spain). What this idea means is that all wealth that is obtained from the new land must be given back to the mother country. The “wealth” from the new countries includes slaves, trade routes, and of course gold. Also, Ponce de Leon believes the colony is not fully owned by the governor, but is a part of is and owned by the mother country and the mother country makes the ultimate decisions about the colony. He has these views on self government because he self governed Puerto Rico and he was very successful and brought back great riches to Spain. Juan Ponce de Leon’s views include that the distribution of land should be given to the country that settles there first, and should not be decided through war and the stronger…

    • 913 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The colonies of Massachusetts and Virginia were located in separate regions of the New World and had many social and economic variations. The very laws and ideas these people have put into work are what have shaped America into the county it is today. When looking at these two colonies we know one thing is for sure, trade, land, religion, and natural resources were vital parts of their being. In this free-response essay I will contrast the colonies by how their societies were ran and how their economies affected their way of life.…

    • 838 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Essay Virginia and Massachusetts Introduction Massachusetts has been at the fore front of history for spill 250 years. The Pilgrims came onto land in 1620, and Massachusetts became the location of the primary Thanksgiving within the fall of 1621. Within the 1700's, because the economy of the world benefited from long fishing, trading, and construction, the residents became more and more rebellious against Britain's persistent taxation. In 1773, history was created once Bostonians had their far-famed party, boarding a British tea ship, and agitated the tea into harbor in protest of unfair taxation. As skirmishes with land became earnest battles of the Revolution, the spirit of the patriots swept the country, and once land were forced out of…

    • 1661 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Although the founding and development of Massachusetts Bay and Virginia were similar there were many differences as well. Virginia and Massachusetts Bay were founded around the same time period which allows us to analyze and compare them. Although both of these, Virginia and Massachusetts Bay, were colonies of England they each settled in North America for two different reasons: Gold and God.…

    • 567 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    During the 17th and 18th century, English populace felt that England was over-crowded and oppressive. They longed to mitigate the problems that arose because of the exaggerated population boom and to establish a government that would allot them the freedom they thought they deserved. The English believed that the best way to go about this was to colonize the New World. Subsequently, many colonies began to develop, and of these colonies, Massachusetts and Virginia were the most well-known. The early settlements of the Massachusetts and Virginia were both established by similar groups of people at the same time; however, their contrasting beginnings as a colony, views on religion, and means of economic stability created two different politics and economic systems.…

    • 583 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The New England colonies and the Southern colonies are slightly similar in some aspects, but drastically different in most. For example the new england colonies were strictly puritan and they did not tolerate any other religion but the southern colonies were not dominated by a single religion which gave way to more liberal attitudes and some religious freedom. The economy of New England was powered mostly the manufacturing in factories, whereas the Southern colonies’ economies were more agriculturally based. The social structures were different, because the New England colonies didn’t believe in slavery, so the social ladders were not the same. Religious tolerance was another major difference in these two regions. Overall the New England and Southern colonies are slightly similar, but their differences set them apart from each other.`…

    • 548 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Haitian Revolution and The American Revolution were similar and different in many ways. First, both the revolutions had a prominent leader, Toussaint L'Overture and George Washington. Second, Haiti stressed freedom while Americans focused more on the needs of middle class. Also, both of these countries would have been unsuccessful were it not for the crippling problems faced by both opposing superpowers.…

    • 306 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Starting in the early 17th century the English began exploring the New World. Amongst the first groups to colonize included; the English in Virginia, Plymouth, and the Massachusetts Bay. Individually the colonies had their own reasons for inhabitation and exploration. They endured many circumstances that obstructed the beginning of their settlements. Each society evolved, adapted, and faltered in their separate ways.…

    • 1159 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    With new lands, there also must be new governments. Although, the countries wanted control over colonial affairs, they usually lost a lot of authority. The Spanish colonial society had a more organized government than the British. They used the government institutions similar in manner to their country. While the British colonies turned private companies, investors, and the like into the governmental officials. However, in both cases most of the power went to people who influenced the economy. The officials usually had their share of the riches found.…

    • 345 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The concept of education system refers to the overall structure by which teaching is organized in a country. Between the United States and Venezuela there are numerous differences in the education system from different aspects such as size of school, dress code, classes, grade system, laws among others.…

    • 633 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Puerto Rican Culture

    • 2057 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Puerto Rico has a unique culture, which significantly is seen in the food, life style, music, and military.…

    • 2057 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    The beaches and the celebrations are great, also amazing. The food there if different and good like the food looks weird but it’s healthy at the same time. The monuments are great if u go to Cuba visit the monuments.…

    • 1078 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Puerto Rico is a beautiful place. The sun is always shining and the temperature does not go below eighty degrees Fahrenheit. If you run out of something like sugar or salt, you can always knock on your neighbor’s door and they will be happy to help you out. They treat everyone as if they were family. There is always something to do. Either you can go to the beach, go to the waterfalls, take a stroll through the jungles, or even sit under a palm tree and drink out of a coconut shell. Although there are many pros, there are also many cons. The crime rate in the island of Puerto Rico is high. Many fights involve objects, not just fists. It can be a brick, a stick, or even a broom. Fights are taken very serious. Also, the economy is not in great shape. Despite all of the cons, people seem to focus on the pros. The beaches are breath taking. The water is crystal-clear blue. The people are beautiful and very exotic.…

    • 833 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Cuban Americans are often affiliated politically with Jewish Americans while Puerto Ricans have similar affiliations with African Americans. Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans are apt to favor liberal nominees in national and state elections while Cuban Americans are notorious for their powerful conservative ethics. As the Puerto Rican community becomes more educated, political activity expands. Further circumstances like the advent of bilingual programs, the steady arrival of certain kind of religious organizations, and the appointment of politically productive officials make it easier and beneficial to take part in the political process. Puerto Ricans have many similar rights as any other U.S. citizen. Puerto Ricans can not vote for the president even though they are citizens of the United States. They are excluded from paying federal income tax also. Though some of the privileges associated with citizenship have been withheld from Puerto Ricans, they are allowed "…unrestricted U.S. Migration…[which has] made New York city the one place with the most Puerto Ricans anywhere in the world (over one million)" This immigration privilege is something many Hispanics would love to have. Cuban Americans, particularly in the Miami vicinity, tend to be considerably further cautious politically than other Latino groups and shape a dominant voting obstruction for the Republican Party in the…

    • 1414 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Socialism In Cuba Essay

    • 666 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Firstly, the country has one of the most excellent free healthcare systems that attract persons worldwide to get care for drug abuse up to cancer related illnesses. This system generates approximately forty million dollars in revenue per year and there are also twice as much doctors in Cuba than in the United States. The Socialist Caribbean Country holds one of the lowest crime and violence rates in the world and has no neon colored billboards or posters on the streets of the country which makes the country a more serviceable place. Cuba has limited or no fast food restaurants or satellite television, unless found in hotel buildings for the pleasure of tourists. Lastly, Cuba has a strong sporting programme within their schools so that children are given chances to become professional athletes and be a part of the…

    • 666 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays