From The Huffington Post to The Economist, journalists have said that Puerto Rico can’t become the 51st state because Republicans won’t allow another blue state to join the Union.
The assumption is that Puerto Rico, once statehood is achieved, will vote Democratic. In reality, it is impossible to predict how Puerto Rico will vote. Here’s why:
Parties in Puerto Rico are different from those on the mainland.
They center on the question of status. Instead of voting Democratic because their parents did, Puerto Ricans will choose the candidate who best represents their views.
Puerto Ricans are typically more socially conservative than the Democratic party on the mainland.
We saw this in a survey of Puerto Rican voters in Florida and in the decision by a federal judge in Puerto Rico to uphold the ban on gay marriage.
Predictions about how territories will vote have historically been inaccurate.
For example, it was widely believed that Hawaii would be a red state and Alaska a blue one. It is in fact the other way around.
States change their minds, too.
The Southern Dixiecrats were actually a different political party from the Democrats, but the South was so heavily Democratic at one time that this was forgotten. Now, Southern states tend to vote Republican.
The idea that Puerto Rico would vote Democrat is in part based on voting patterns among mainland Hispanic voters.
However, the majority of current U.S. Latino voters have Mexican roots, not Puerto Rican. Deciding that Puerto Ricans would follow the pattern of Mexican Americans is a lot like deciding that the French would be in political sync with Hatians.
They might… or they might not.
The party that gets the votes of Puerto Rico’s voters depends on which party is best able to show that they are prepared to support Puerto Rico’s right to self-determination and full citizenship. Right now, both major political parties say they support this in their platforms.
It shouldn’t matter. Neither party has a monopoly on civil rights. Self-determination for Puerto Rico is a bipartisan issue. Let your legislators know that this issue is important to you — whichever party they represent, and whichever party you support.
This post was originally written in English and may be auto-translated by Google.
17 Responses
I was born in PR as were many of my ancestors. Of my ancestors (Puerto Rican/Spaniards) my Grandfather was in the US military and fought bravely in WWII, Korea & Vietnam. My great grandfather was in the US military as well serving a total of 20 years (my grandpa 21 yrs). My great uncles fought in Vietnam with the airborne. All of my mothers cousins are currently in the AirForce and Army. My grandmother was a WAC. All these people born, raised in Puerto Rico and some died there or in a distant battlefield. Many of them died not knowing what would happen to PR or its status, but all knew that as no man/women is left behind soo America no leave its last true friend/family in the dust. They gave there full measure for this and we will obtain that which they valiently fought to the end. My grandpa was in Incheon protecting the retreat of the Marines, and he always said that they had there backs the US will have ours. VIVA LA ESTADIDAD!! EL GRITO DEL CANON ESTADISTA LLEGO!!
I was born in PR as were many of my ancestors. Of my ancestors (Puerto Rican/Spaniards) my Grandfather was in the US military and fought bravely in WWII, Korea & Vietnam. My great grandfather was in the US military as well serving a total of 20 years (my grandpa 21 yrs). My great uncles fought in Vietnam with the airborne. All of my mothers cousins are currently in the AirForce and Army. My grandmother was a WAC. All these people (Americans) born, raised in Puerto Rico died there or in some distant battlefield fighting for there country not PR but the whole PR, USA. Many of them died not knowing what would happen to PR or its status, but all knew that as no man/women is left behind soo America will not leave its last true friend/family in the dust. They gave there full measure for this, and we will obtain that which they valiently fought to the end for. My grandpa was in Chosin Reservoir protecting the retreat of the Marines, and he always said that they had there backs the US will have ours. VIVA LA ESTADIDAD!! EL GRITO DEL CANON ESTADISTA LLEGO!!
Telling us about the history of your ancestors in the armed forces is irrelevant. They were all Puerto Ricans, and Puerto Ricans only. Wouldn’t it better, those great fighters fighting for your homeland, Puerto Rico? Wouldn’t it better to have your Puerto Rican citizenship, staying a Puerto Rican for the rest of your life? ¡Viva Puerto Rico Libre!
the history of his ancestors are in fact not irrelevant, this shows that Puerto Rican’s have fought to make America what is today. So your reply stating wouldn’t it be better just to state your a Puerto Rican citizen would mean your giving up all those years and ancestors fighting for there mainland United States. So it is in fact very important that he states his ancestors
It IS Relevant! In my family there were many enlisted men and they fought for our nation gallantly, valiantly and risked their lives for Democracy, for what we, US citizens believe. Texans will be Texans forever. Hawaiian will be Hawaiians forever, Puerto Ricans will be Puerto Ricans forever…What are you talking about?
Leonardo
Great. By do you think they would vote blue or red? That’s what I want to know.
Most likely Blue, since (American) Republicans believe in a stronger Government; the key to a stronger Government is money. And Republicans don’t want to spend money on making States great from the start after Statehood is granted. Democracy cares immediately. The biggest delay by Democrats is only by the fact that a number of bills can’t all be signed in such a short time. Republicans choose to delay, because they are hesitate to that kind of spending. Not the purpose of spending, but the amount for any reason at all. So if Puerto Rico wants to be a Red State, then they would not be seeking Economic help to create a great start for a new State. Voting rights, sure. But Puerto Rico needs money as well. To cover costs in hurricane damages, infrastructure, and an economic crisis. So since Puerto Rico is suffering similar as much as if they were in the Depression, and they need emergency help from Washington DC and they need it now, their goal of such a recovery would most likely be met if they were a Blue State. Even if they want to become a Red State, their primary goal should be to recover. And the best way would be by becoming a Blue State. Because not only are voting rights overdue in Puerto Rico, but so is national attention. From a Democratic President, not from a Republican President. So it would help if they become a State and vote for a Democratic President. So that their State could become a major Democratic; partial Republican State. And a Democratic President would absolutely respond to Puerto Rico’s crises and would not hesitate as Republicans do, to spend greatly on Puerto Rico’s recovery.
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“Puerto Ricans are typically more socially conservative than the Democratic party on the mainland. ”
Mexicans are also typically socially conservative. Nevertheless, when they vote in the US, most of them vote democrat.
“Which party will get the votes of Puerto Rico’s voters will depend on which party is best able to show that they are prepared to support Puerto Rico’s right to self-determination”
It will depend on which party is willing to assume Puerto Rico’s debt. It is unlikely that the republicans will be willing to do so.
this can not be for told we don’t know what they will vote. Republicans are very supportive of Puerto Rico so your comment is a little inaccurate
I’m not going to read other’s opinions because they will always have a self defense mechanism to rationalize their political ideologies, same as touching the subject on which is the best religion, where in actuality, there is no right one. The people in the government of the Commonwaelth Of PR are doing their best to see how every structure and network has the best outcome for the people of PR, regardless of being a fanatic to a particular political party. We can only cast our votes, let’s not try to brainwash others. Thank you, bless you all. ^_^
Respecting all opinions, I have to let you know how many misconseptions about Puerto Rico.
Puertorican society is very conservative in many levels. More than any states. High % of Puertoricans living in PR, simpatize with Republican party.
All states depends from PR in many ways in the past and present. Otherwise, USA Gov wont be interesting to keep the Island for more than a century, since 1898.
PR have rich resorces of Energy to develop or incompletly develop as: Oil, Natural Gas, Coal: Solar, Wind, Wave, Geothermal, Hydrogen, Biomass. So the beneficts of Minerals, Geological, Medical & Marine Researchs/Investigations, Political Votes for Primaries, Goods, Medical, Pharmacetical Exports, Coral R., Tourism Industry.
We do paid taxes: Fica, Medicade, Social Security, 11% sale tax.
Yunque, which is the Only USA Rainforest. Puertoricans are part of USA military since 1st WW. Serving and dying to keep Our Freedom since then until today. We feel very proud to be Americans and Biligual. We have to study English in class suce elementary school. We do speak English !!!
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Dixiecrats were only a different political party for one year–1948. Maybe you could count the nationwide AIP that doesn’t even operate in the South anymore, because it won only Southern states in 1968, as well.
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