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AAAO · 03-23-2008, 15:56 PM

Puerto Rico enjoyed a semi-autonomous status with its colonial power, Spain, just before the US invasion in 1898. The US arrival in Puerto Rico was an accesory action to that of Cuba. Cuba had a strong and current history of revolutionary activities against the Spanish Crown, Puerto Rico did not. In the end Cuba was granted its independence by the US occupier, and Puerto Rico was retained. Puerto Rico can be described as a territory of the US, but it is more accurate to note its "commonwealth" status, literally it is the "Associated Free State of Puerto Rico", meaning that it is a nation whose soveriegnty and independence is -- at present -- subsumed within that of the United States. Puerto Rico is represented in Washington -- its members of congress vote in committee but not on the floor. Puerto Ricans have enjoyed US citizenship since 1917 and have fought in all of America's major military engagements in the several armed forces. As such, Puerto Ricans are Americans, period. In the past, the Puerto Rican National Guard (military reserve for readers unfamiliar with US reserve forces) normally was allowed an establishment of 125% of authorized strength. And they are good troops with a tight chain of command, respectable soldiers (at annual reserve forces gatherings they are always welcome because they bring a load of rum in their Air National Guard transports!).

The question remains as to whether or not they will continue to opt for the present commonwealth status. In terms of a nation state, there are three primary elements: territory, people, and political organization. The territory of Puerto Rico is well defined -- the main island and several smaller islands in the archipeligo. The people are also well defined -- the people of Puerto Rico who are in the main of Puerto Rican ethnicity. The challenge remains as to the third element, that of the political organization. Since 1898 Puerto Rico has evolved a complete political organization like any state of the United States or like any independent soveriegn nation, with an elected governor and a bicameral legislature. However, Puerto Rico's is not now an independent nation, and so its soveriegnty is exercised by the United States.

There are economic, political and mystical elements at play. Puerto Ricans are happy not to pay Federal taxes -- independence would change that, as it would the tax-free status of US industries that might decide to go elsewhere. On the political front, there are always politicians who look in the mirror and imagine themselves as a Chief of State, designing in their heads resplendant uniforms for their imaginary palace guard. That is not to suggest, however, that independence is the best deal for the people, although the personal agendas of these politicians are going to be packaged for sale as such. This is where the mystical element comes into play -- it is always easy to play on the emotions of the rank and file, vilifying the vile Americans as oppresors and championing the endless sunshine of true independence.

This emotional appeal played a part in the recent successful leftist assault on the continued use of the US Navy Vieques Island gunnery range. After years of protests, the left pumped up the volume and finally the Navy had to stop the shooting. The end result, however, was more challenging for Puerto Rico and its economy. The US Department of Defense deactivated a significant number of military bases in Puerto Rico which put a lot of locals out of work. The opposition politicans were directly responsible for this, so time will tell if they pay the price in the long term.

In the end, the Puerto Ricans will need to decide the status question for themselves, without a push from the mainland. They have put this to the ballot several times in the last few years, and the people have opted for the status quo. They can continue to do so in future electoral contests ad infinitum, but they can only select independence once, and probably the same goes for statehood.

On a practical note, a great portion of the world's populace would kill, sell their children into slavery or prostitute their mother for US citizenship. At present, that is a birthright of Puerto Ricans. Independence would kill the goose that continues to lay those golden eggs.

I am not prejudiced. I have served with great and not so great Puerto Ricans, same as those from other ethinic or affinity groups, including my own. Whatever decision they take in the near or distant future I will respect, and wish them all the best. But for now, they are Americans and we should recognize them as such.

03-23-2008, 15:56 PM	#27 (permalink)
AAAO Regular Join Date: 03-06-08 Location: Costa Rica Posts: 71 Country:	Puerto Rico enjoyed a semi-autonomous status with its colonial power, Spain, just before the US invasion in 1898. The US arrival in Puerto Rico was an accesory action to that of Cuba. Cuba had a strong and current history of revolutionary activities against the Spanish Crown, Puerto Rico did not. In the end Cuba was granted its independence by the US occupier, and Puerto Rico was retained. Puerto Rico can be described as a territory of the US, but it is more accurate to note its "commonwealth" status, literally it is the "Associated Free State of Puerto Rico", meaning that it is a nation whose soveriegnty and independence is -- at present -- subsumed within that of the United States. Puerto Rico is represented in Washington -- its members of congress vote in committee but not on the floor. Puerto Ricans have enjoyed US citizenship since 1917 and have fought in all of America's major military engagements in the several armed forces. As such, Puerto Ricans are Americans, period. In the past, the Puerto Rican National Guard (military reserve for readers unfamiliar with US reserve forces) normally was allowed an establishment of 125% of authorized strength. And they are good troops with a tight chain of command, respectable soldiers (at annual reserve forces gatherings they are always welcome because they bring a load of rum in their Air National Guard transports!). The question remains as to whether or not they will continue to opt for the present commonwealth status. In terms of a nation state, there are three primary elements: territory, people, and political organization. The territory of Puerto Rico is well defined -- the main island and several smaller islands in the archipeligo. The people are also well defined -- the people of Puerto Rico who are in the main of Puerto Rican ethnicity. The challenge remains as to the third element, that of the political organization. Since 1898 Puerto Rico has evolved a complete political organization like any state of the United States or like any independent soveriegn nation, with an elected governor and a bicameral legislature. However, Puerto Rico's is not now an independent nation, and so its soveriegnty is exercised by the United States. There are economic, political and mystical elements at play. Puerto Ricans are happy not to pay Federal taxes -- independence would change that, as it would the tax-free status of US industries that might decide to go elsewhere. On the political front, there are always politicians who look in the mirror and imagine themselves as a Chief of State, designing in their heads resplendant uniforms for their imaginary palace guard. That is not to suggest, however, that independence is the best deal for the people, although the personal agendas of these politicians are going to be packaged for sale as such. This is where the mystical element comes into play -- it is always easy to play on the emotions of the rank and file, vilifying the vile Americans as oppresors and championing the endless sunshine of true independence. This emotional appeal played a part in the recent successful leftist assault on the continued use of the US Navy Vieques Island gunnery range. After years of protests, the left pumped up the volume and finally the Navy had to stop the shooting. The end result, however, was more challenging for Puerto Rico and its economy. The US Department of Defense deactivated a significant number of military bases in Puerto Rico which put a lot of locals out of work. The opposition politicans were directly responsible for this, so time will tell if they pay the price in the long term. In the end, the Puerto Ricans will need to decide the status question for themselves, without a push from the mainland. They have put this to the ballot several times in the last few years, and the people have opted for the status quo. They can continue to do so in future electoral contests ad infinitum, but they can only select independence once, and probably the same goes for statehood. On a practical note, a great portion of the world's populace would kill, sell their children into slavery or prostitute their mother for US citizenship. At present, that is a birthright of Puerto Ricans. Independence would kill the goose that continues to lay those golden eggs. I am not prejudiced. I have served with great and not so great Puerto Ricans, same as those from other ethinic or affinity groups, including my own. Whatever decision they take in the near or distant future I will respect, and wish them all the best. But for now, they are Americans and we should recognize them as such.