Puerto Rico the 51st State Essay Example
Jonathan R. Martinez
English 215
Draft of Argumentative Essay/ 01
July 7, 2011
Should Puerto Rico Become the 51st State?
Should Puerto Rico become the union’s 51st state?
Puerto Rico has been under US sovereignty since the Spanish American War in 1898, where United States gained territorial control of Puerto Rico, along with Philippines and Guam. Since this time, United States and Puerto Rico have engaged in a very peculiar relationship; and to this date, Puerto Rico remains a territory. In 1917, part of the Jones-Shafroth act, the United States Congress granted the people of Puerto Rico US citizenship, the right to have an elected state senate, established a Bill of Rights, and authorized the election of a Resident Commissioner (a non-voting representative) to a four year term. Consequently, with their new United States citizenship, many Puerto Ricans were drafted into World War I and all following wars with United States involvement in which a national military draft was in effect. In the summer of 1952, President Harry S. Truman, signed in to law approving the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Constitution. However, the term commonwealth that is commonly used to describe the relationship between United States and Puerto Rico does not hold the same meanings such as other States like Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky and Massachusetts [ (N/a, 2011) ].
There are many pros and cons to all three of the options that PR has; which are Statehood, Independence from the Union or to remain as a water-down version of a Commonwealth. First are the pros of Statehood. PR has an exclusive opportunity to join the union and participate of the same benefits, and responsibilities if being a vital part of the United States of America. When it comes to the economics of Puerto Rico, the option of statehood has many pros. The most important is that the government of Puerto Rico will receive taxes from their citizens to help the infrastructure of the state. Puerto Rico would
English 215
Draft of Argumentative Essay/ 01
July 7, 2011
Should Puerto Rico Become the 51st State?
Should Puerto Rico become the union’s 51st state?
Puerto Rico has been under US sovereignty since the Spanish American War in 1898, where United States gained territorial control of Puerto Rico, along with Philippines and Guam. Since this time, United States and Puerto Rico have engaged in a very peculiar relationship; and to this date, Puerto Rico remains a territory. In 1917, part of the Jones-Shafroth act, the United States Congress granted the people of Puerto Rico US citizenship, the right to have an elected state senate, established a Bill of Rights, and authorized the election of a Resident Commissioner (a non-voting representative) to a four year term. Consequently, with their new United States citizenship, many Puerto Ricans were drafted into World War I and all following wars with United States involvement in which a national military draft was in effect. In the summer of 1952, President Harry S. Truman, signed in to law approving the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Constitution. However, the term commonwealth that is commonly used to describe the relationship between United States and Puerto Rico does not hold the same meanings such as other States like Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky and Massachusetts [ (N/a, 2011) ].
There are many pros and cons to all three of the options that PR has; which are Statehood, Independence from the Union or to remain as a water-down version of a Commonwealth. First are the pros of Statehood. PR has an exclusive opportunity to join the union and participate of the same benefits, and responsibilities if being a vital part of the United States of America. When it comes to the economics of Puerto Rico, the option of statehood has many pros. The most important is that the government of Puerto Rico will receive taxes from their citizens to help the infrastructure of the state. Puerto Rico would