News Puerto Rico: A Complex Political Status Explained

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SUMMARY

Puerto Rico is classified as a commonwealth and a colony of the United States, which grants it certain privileges without the full responsibilities of a U.S. state. The discussion highlights the complexities of Puerto Rico's political status, emphasizing that residents lack significant rights such as voting representation in Congress and control over international affairs. Participants express frustration over the ongoing debate regarding statehood versus maintaining the commonwealth status, with some advocating for a definitive decision. The conversation also touches on the inadequate education regarding Puerto Rican history and political status in schools.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of U.S. territories and their political statuses
  • Familiarity with the concept of commonwealths in the context of U.S. governance
  • Knowledge of Puerto Rican history and its relationship with the United States
  • Awareness of the implications of statehood versus commonwealth status
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the historical context of Puerto Rico's commonwealth status
  • Explore the implications of statehood for Puerto Rico's economy and governance
  • Investigate the role of U.S. Congress in Puerto Rican affairs and representation
  • Examine educational resources on Puerto Rican history and political status
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for political scientists, educators, students of U.S. history, and anyone interested in the complexities of Puerto Rico's political status and its implications for residents.

  • #31
Dagenais said:
the laws are different.

Not only are the laws different, the entire legal system in Quebec is different than in the rest of Canada.
 
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  • #32
fisipavia said:
OH I'm sorry I thought that you being from US, "the great defensor of democracy", would think that those rights applied to everybody.

And now I'll do like Monique: A little history lesson.

PR was invaded in 1898 by US some months after Spain finally approved our autonomy. We first have a military occupation, and then all of our governors were nombrated by the US. In 1948 we elected our first governor EVER. And yes, the people vote in favor of our constitution (commonwealth) during the period of ruling of this governor. That was the first time that we were able "to vote". But of course our constitution couldn't speak of none of the areas controlled by the congress. Let me put it this way. If you are really, really locked is some small place, and someone offers you to let you walk 1 feet out from your cage, won't you accept it?
and in fact,for that time it WAS a great thing, but since then nothing more has happened.

And don't call us parasites, because you will never force a parasite inside of your body. The citizenship was gave to us in 1917, nobody asked for it, it was just imposed. ja,ja... 1917... first world war...citizen...so you must go and fight in the war... but of course you cannot vote... as watters said.."you are not a contry" but fight...sure you can!

We have been taught that americans are superiors and that is why so many puertoricans want to be americans. I think that we must remember that no culture is inferior! Here is an example.

My grandfather spend a week in jail because when he was call to make the obligatory military service and they talk to him in english he said that we didn't know english because he wasn't american.

I do think that our major problem is the mentality that we have that we must be "protected" by some major potency. But this mentality comes from our history. We have been a colony for 511 years! Since the arrivals of the Spanish

Historically we have been oppresed and that's not a fantasy of mine... that's the truth. And you know why we depend so much in the US?... because as I say before we cannot have international relations or commerce, only with the US, we are not able to make cooperations treaties!... recently there has been founded an Association for the countries of the Caribbean and we cannot participate on it.

And don't call us parasites because I studied and work as much as you do.
Sweetie Pie, mommy and daddy have decided to cut you loose. Daddy thinks your an ingrate and mommy, well mommy, she's just tired of your friggin whining.
 

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