Any particular reason?

Or... four particular reasons, given the number of Nos?

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"Jesus said: I have cast fire upon the world, and behold I guard it until it is ablaze."
Gospel of Thomas

There are millions of reasons. It's almost too much to get into detail about. I'd run the internet dry of electronic ink. In a nutshell, and I speak from personal experience of having lived there, the inhabitants only want the freebie and hold an incredible amount of contempt for the U.S. In other words, they only want our free money and want none of the responsibility. The independence crowd was only 4% on the last referendum that addressed statehood. Status Quo was the overwhelming winner. When I lived there, Puerto Ricans paid no federal income tax (only Social Security) yet the island took about 12.5 billion dollars per year in federal assistance. The independence party has a 'ten year plan' whereby they continue to receive the free money from the U.S. over the next ten years, yet they become 100% independent immediately. They also want continuation of U.S. citizenship even after independence. Without getting into too much detail, I encountered too many issues there that indicated that having PR for a state would be a horrible mistake. I happen to be one of the strong supporters of independence for PR, but for different reasons than most, and I don't believe in any ten year plan. I'd just as soon see the island independent in every way and it couldn't be soon enough. Sorry to be so vague, but when I flew off of that island, rest assured I wasn't looking back out the window.

Ah... there are the economic reasons I alluded to earlier in the thread.

But by that token, wouldn't you be in favour of them becoming a state, and having all the same responsibilities of the rest of the states tax-wise?

__________________
"Jesus said: I have cast fire upon the world, and behold I guard it until it is ablaze."
Gospel of Thomas

No, because they wouldn't. For whatever reason anybody would like to stamp on it (I'll tread lightly here), there is no such thing as work ethic, responsibility, or social cooperation in PR. An example: My friends wife was at a cocktail party and many of the island's business leaders were there. Most were VP's in charge of PR branches of major corporations. One gentleman she spoke with said that he imported 10% of his labor force from continental U.S. as he was limited to bring in more. I'm not sure what the limiting rule was (union or local government). He said if he didn't import those 10%, he wouldn't be able to do business there at all. Said he had actually done a study and measured the productivity difference between the locals and the imports and found that the imports produce SIX TIMES that of the locals. No exaggeration. I found that to be the case in every experience I had in business and government there. They don't report a fraction of their income, so any statistic you see will claim their median income to be a pittance, but most lived in better houses than mine and lived better lifestyles. They also get all sorts of free money from the U.S. Fed to augment their infrastructure and such things, so there are many things they don't have to pay for. And don't pay federal income tax to boot. Many are on free medical. Virtually all kids on free food programs through school (federally funded). Roads, bridges, and other large infrastructure items are almost all federally funded through targeted grants. Funny thing is, they name them after locals.

If PR was a state, there would be terrorist acts by the independentistas wholesale (even though they are only 4%).

Ironically, most would qualify for enough EIC on federal returns to offset a huge portion of their federal tax because most of their income is unreported.

They would be the largest single state welfare burden in the entire country.

One item that was brought up in the thread which I contest is that they have no federal representative. They do. He/she does not vote, granted, but what is one vote in a room of 435 voters? Now ask yourself what is one voice in a room of 435 voters? There's a difference. And if they feel cheated, tough shit, they are spoils of war and they are spoiled. If they want a vote, they can pay for it just like I do.

PR could potentially be the most beautiful island in the carib. But it's a rat infested shit hole full of lazy people. All of the real workers left (like my father in law). If anybody talks about going to carib on vacation, I always point them to DomRep. Check out the price difference and what you get. In PR you will never see customer service (only contempt and indifference).

Sorry to be so negative, but I got more negative there than I've seen in any of the 32 countries I've been to. They don't deserve to be a state. And lastly, it's Congress that decides statehood so it doesn't matter what they vote on the island.

So since the mother state USA is in charge of Puerto Rico, why not given them responsibility, either be a real state or be independent? Maybe they will take themselves in charge, like real adults

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Union with Mexico? The entire southwestern portion of the US would turn into a vast extension of Mexican misery and poverty. Hundreds of thousands of Mexicans risk prison and even their lives to escape their own country and enter the US.

Only those who indulge in fatuous utopian fantasies would think of this as "greater equality". I am concerned that eventually a left-wing congress in the US will think is a wonderful idea and start to push it through.

__________________
"Our fears in Banquo
Stick deep; in his royalty of nature
Reigns that which would be fear'd: 'tis much he dares;
And, to that dauntless temper of his mind,
He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour
To act in safety."

Macbeth 3:1

It depends on how it is approached, though. If it was a slow and methodical mixing of Mexico and the US, it could be done well.

Hell, if the Germans can absorb East Germany, we can absorb Mexico.

__________________
When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears

Many Canadians do come to the US for specialized health care. They don't remain, but they do come for specific procedures and to consult specialists.

__________________
"Our fears in Banquo
Stick deep; in his royalty of nature
Reigns that which would be fear'd: 'tis much he dares;
And, to that dauntless temper of his mind,
He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour
To act in safety."

Macbeth 3:1

This is exactly the "logic" I am concerned about. The mind boggles.

There is no comparison whatsoever between Germany, a nation that was divided and then reunited, and the US and Mexico - two nations that have nothing in common except a border.

__________________
"Our fears in Banquo
Stick deep; in his royalty of nature
Reigns that which would be fear'd: 'tis much he dares;
And, to that dauntless temper of his mind,
He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour
To act in safety."

Macbeth 3:1

We've got lots in common:
- a love of Mexican food
- a love of light beer
- enjoyment of the beach

see?

__________________
When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears

A fine basis for union. They get wealth and we get tacos and sand.

__________________
"Our fears in Banquo
Stick deep; in his royalty of nature
Reigns that which would be fear'd: 'tis much he dares;
And, to that dauntless temper of his mind,
He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour
To act in safety."

Macbeth 3:1

Mmmmm. Tacos al carbon!

__________________
When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears

Yes, I wouldn't mind some right now - but the border doesn't need to come down.....

__________________
"Our fears in Banquo
Stick deep; in his royalty of nature
Reigns that which would be fear'd: 'tis much he dares;
And, to that dauntless temper of his mind,
He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour
To act in safety."

Macbeth 3:1

Have you ever been to the American Southwest? Or noticed the difference between New York City and rural Alabama?

By your standards, the United States has nothing in common with itself.


All borders will come down sooner or later. It's inevitable.

__________________
"Jesus said: I have cast fire upon the world, and behold I guard it until it is ablaze."
Gospel of Thomas

Oh, it does. I'm friggin' hungry!


And, I guess I'm not a very good nationalist. I do think, however, that moving our northern border northwards to incorporate Canada would be a better choice. Hell their dollar matches ours right now, so it'd be easy.

__________________
When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears