Puerto Rico gets ready to vote for Statehood, but did we even ask them to join the US – PB/TK
Puerto Rico votes on statehood — fifth time’s the charm? – Charles R. Venator-Santiago / June 10 2017
Local voters will choose among three options: statehood, independence or territorial autonomy – or keeping the status quo.
There are two main parties opposing statehood: the Popular Democratic Party, the main political party advocating for territorial autonomy or the commonwealth status; and the Puerto Rican Independence Party.
Both political parties are actively boycotting the plebiscite and campaigning against the pro-statehood New Progressive Party, which controls the executive and legislative branches of government. Because these parties are not planning to participate in Sunday’s plebiscite, it is likely that the pro-statehood party will receive a majority of the votes in the plebiscite.
Advocates of statehood say it would resolve the island’s fiscal crisis. Statehood would grant Puerto Rico access to parity in federal funds for social programs like Medicaid and public housing subsidies, important programs for a place where about 45 percent of its people are living in poverty.
But, are Americans ready to add a 51st star to their flag?
Continue to salon.com article: http://www.salon.com/2017/06/10/puerto-rico-votes-on-statehood-fifth-times-the-charm_partner/
