Why Puerto Rico is not a US state

Nearly half of Americans don’t know that Puerto Ricans are US citizens. But they are, and have been since 1917.
Watch why Puerto Rico won't have power for months: bit.ly/2DBCPVp
Read about Puerto Rico's latest bid for statehood: bit.ly/2DGlz4L
Subscribe to our channel! goo.gl/0bsAjO
As residents of the US Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Puerto Ricans have US passports, can travel freely throughout the country and can serve in the military. But that doesn’t mean the US citizens who live in Puerto Rico get the same rights and benefits as US citizens stateside.
Watch the video above to understand how Puerto Rico became a US commonwealth, the tangled relationship that developed, and how it all affects prosperity and development on the island today.
Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out www.vox.com.
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[@Vox]

It's been months since Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico. Watch our video on the conditions many Puerto Ricans are still facing in the aftermath: bit.ly/2DBCPVp Read about Puerto Rico's latest bid for statehood on Vox.com: bit.ly/2DGlz4L

[@abisheiklafir339]

Vox free likes

[@supremepro5049]

*DESPACITO WE LIVE IN PUERTO RICO BLABLABLABLAH* .......

[@chanceDdog2009]

Vox PR is like the adopted child of the 2 or 3rd wife of a polygamist who swears he us doing the right thing always...

[@i.victorian1266]

Vox Make a video about DACA

[@dankadybong7948]

Vox . why dont they fix their country?

[@filmesantigos66]

Taxation without representation means that Puerto Rico is an american colony .

[@garyp3472]

TWR is for white people. not written down usually, but most white people know this truth to be self evident.

[@latengocomoburro]

Do you know that half of Puerto Ricans live of welfare? Unless that by "taxation" you mean the taxes mainland US citizens have to pay to maintain them.

[@luism9897]

they dont pay federal taxes .

[@TheSpanishDon1]

Puerto Rican’s just don’t pay taxes to the US

[@kravenLaw1]

@@latengocomoburro Most Puerto Ricans live in welfare because the U.S. designed it that way in order to control Puerto Ricans. When Puerto Rico was with Spain [1493-1898] The Kingdom of Spain never established a welfare system in Puerto Rico. Puerto Ricans worked very hard with Spain and exported goods abroad. In fact in the late 1800s the Puerto Rican currency which was regulated by Spanish banks in Spain was 40% stronger than the U.S. dollar. When the U.S. invaded Puerto Rico and stole it from Spain as spoils of war there was no referendum then. The people weren't given a voting chance to vote whether the want to remain with Spain, be independent, or become a colony of the U.S. Puerto Rico was then impoverished by design because the currency in Puerto Rico was stronger than the U.S. dollar back then which posed a threat to American investors, bankers, etc.

[@snazzy]

46% of Americans don’t know puertoriqueños are U.S. citizens? 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@PHlophe]

and % of europeans have no idea Puedo rico even exists. but here is the beauty of it. ask puerto ricans about the african continent . they'll tell you its a country. I know i have tested just to see if bias is one sided . surprise it ain't .

[@wilhelmheinrich7502]

I’m surprised that it wasn’t 76%.

lol im your subscriber

[@TheCatLoverLord]

herein mygarage And Puerto Ricans count

[@tendralsonofvendral]

Lechiffresix six Europeans know about Puerto Rico.

[@Bayard1503]

So you draft them for wars but you don't give them statehood. Shameful.

[@derekwhite3654]

You’re making it sound like people are being drafted today! 😆

[@bigboijoni4328]

Ikr like the british drafted 2,500,000 indians but they dont make it a part of their union like wales or scotland

[@jonathanmccain8646]

@Aaron Zimmerman They don't pay federal taxes, and don't vote in federal elections.

[@barbarar.4872]

@Aaron Zimmerman Actually they do pay federal taxes, just not the income tax, if you were wondering...

[@butler7962]

They don’t want statehood

[@antialiasantialias4958]

"Americans didn't know Puerto Ricans are American citizens." I mean, Americans also don't know that Africa is not a country, so

[@vvalencia10yearsago31]

Some think chocolate milk comes from brown cows, sooo....yeah...

[@Frazier16]

Well most ppl don't even know Porto Rico is owned by the usa

[@jamesmiran9845]

Americans don't know usa is a corporation not a country

[@Ymats-dj1nt]

Well they also don't know that Asia is not just China.

[@harithdanial141]

@@Ymats-dj1ntas asian that's very true lol. Their also will say Sparta and roman same

[@jc-xd1pr]

I thought it was pretty common knowledge that Puerto Ricans were US citizens.

[@feetgoaroundfullflapsC]

No, many in USA dont even know Hawaii is a state..

[@bluntheadass6863]

@@feetgoaroundfullflapsC that's cap

[@julietalpha5868]

Well, I know that there are 51 states in USA including Puerto Rico. Correct me if I'm wrong

[@josewmeldondo]

@@julietalpha5868 50 States, Puerto Rico is U.S. Territory and has U.S. Citizenship.

[@elia.almodovar9558]

Common knowledge only to you. The very definition of parochialism.

[@toso69420]

Wait. So judging by flags, Captain America is actually Captain Puerto Rico?

[@juliusnepos6013]

Tousif Hafeez yeah

[@brianroldan3269]

Pretty much

[@davidcharles7106]

Yeah, and The Falcon is more like a Hawk........Captain Puerto Rico and the Hawk, coming to Theatres next summer!

[@Isai314]

@@davidcharles7106 rip cap

[@LuisLopez-zb6qv]

Captain latino

[@LifeWLouis]

“Taxation with representation” anyone?

[@etmeyutub]

what taxation. they get more than they pay

[@etmeyutub]

@Bananas Daily But they are real states. not territories. You can't compare PR or Guam to Kansas Or Kentucky. That goes for Alaska and Hawaii too. Shouldn't be states.

[@James_300]

@Bananas Daily @etmeyutub why do you think Donald Trump wanted to sell puerto rico

[@unlimitedpower4101]

They don't pay FIC, they only pay Puerto Rico taxes.

[@chapelormond]

it’s literally taxation without representation. they get taxed yet they have no say in any voting

[@olajong2315]

why did the usa become independent from the uk taxation without representation UK to US-Ahhh you have become the very thing you swore to destroy

[@rebeccam.7249]

that not funny

[@grantlit2196]

@@rebeccam.7249 it is because it's true lol

[@rebeccam.7249]

@@grantlit2196 even if it true it nit funny non american like to talk bad about the U.S but then ya'll all want ti come here.

[@radrook4481]

The difference is that the people they are taxing that way are not resisting it as the colonies did. Instead they have been very happy under that system.

[@Raky2427]

@@radrook4481 in the last referendum they voted overwhelmingly to become a state yet nothing has occurred. I’m not sure how that makes you think they’re happy the way things are.

[@Cartmanfan99]

The irony is how over 200 years ago we used " no taxation without representation" as a way to criticize the British government smh

[@OfMiceAndMegabytes]

Read: colonialism.

[@latengocomoburro]

@Ana Caona Do you know that half of Puerto Ricans live of welfare? Puerto RIco gets more than it contributes.

[@samariemartinezserrano7478]

latengocomoburro nope. PR only receives back a 1/3 of what it contributes (20B < 70B). And it’s even considered by the World Bank as a high income economy.

[@andreanacalhoun5402]

@@samariemartinezserrano7478 well then if your island is high economy then it's time for your independence. .

[@user-ik2kq1nc8q]

@reshi p what does having us citizenship even mean if you don't reap the supposed benefits that is attached to us citizenship??

[@thomasrivera8626]

Puerto Rico was a PROVINCE of Spain and had seats on its' parliament... yet 118 years have passed and we still don't have seats on Congress. I Serve in the US military and am stationed in Puerto Rico and we deserve equal respect because I uphold and protect the US constitution and thee American dream in which this nation was founded on. No Taxation without Representation.

[@augustinedaudu9203]

@@dillonblair6491 yes they do, they're American citizens, they have to

[@augustinedaudu9203]

@@dillonblair6491 ok den

[@angelmorales9168]

Se pay estate tax Export Import Ss cabotage

[@Adohleas]

@@augustinedaudu9203 They pay a hefty export/import tax. That tax alone is enough to keep them from growing.

[@augustinedaudu9203]

@@Adohleas I see now. Thank you

[@keily2088]

Puerto Rican’s should be allowed to vote wtf

[@JMH702]

Fr Boricuas need too have a say in this politics

[@nicogcid]

@Silvia C No idk where you got the NO from. most people would rather statehood. Also PR pays some Federal Taxes, just not income specifically. We made up our mind a long time ago.

[@nicogcid]

@Silvia C already tried a few years ago. The states rejected it

[@Castapher]

Puerto Ricans are half-class US Citizens lol

[@keily2088]

Edwin Calderon yea ik that

[@pierceyu4546]

Kind of realized that this could have happened to the Philippines considering it being an old colony of both Spain and America

[@rrsharizam]

No it won't. America don't want philippine. They're not US citizens and nothing to be gained

[@pierceyu4546]

@@rrsharizam that's where you're kind of a bit wrong. The first reason why we were colonized by the USA was because of the treaty of Paris where Spain sold the Philippines for millions of dollars to the USA. The USA won't spend millions of dollars for no reason. The Philippines, is a very strategic placed country being almost center of east Asia, near china and other countries that have big supply of various agricultural goods like coconut and it makes trade easier. Not only that, the Philippines is a rich source of agriculture, people and oil (yes, we are rich in oil, its just that a foreign private company owns most of it). The location in fact is so strategic, they built 5 military bases in the country. From naval, army and air force bases. So, there is indeed something to be gained here in the Philippines.

[@rrsharizam]

@@pierceyu4546 USA bought it bcos they thought it was a good idea for military bases. After the war ended, they see no reason of keeping it.

[@miguelvina7188]

philippine? its philippines. we only use the term philippine to refer philippines-related objects, plants and animals. filipino/filipina is the term for people living in the philippines, also related to its culture. america though gave the philippines independence but they kept the us bases until in the early 1990s when they abandoned it because of the mount pinatubo eruption. they kept it in the fear of communism lurking in southeast asia.

[@miguelvina7188]

we kinda relate with puerto rico's status since our country used to be a commonwealth of america xD

[@janl.rivera9923]

I live in Puerto Rico :] Some of the people that live here still don’t have water nor power. Although, the government is trying to fix the electrical problems, but it takes a lot of time because of the location of the area and the supplies we need.

[@frankvega1638]

They are corrupts! You should know that by now.

[@Ricky911_]

Or simply because it doesn't really care lol

[@bravoseis1937]

@@frankvega1638 this video was made in 2018, Puerto Rico was still trying to recover from Huracan Maria and Irma(If you lived in San Juan). And then A year later They wanted Ricky Rossello out, Right now they are still trying to recover because there might be another Tropical Storm or Huracan.

[@sasukeelmejor3325]

@@frankvega1638 yes

[@marvinuhilarious]

That's not the US government's problem though. The only thing they owe to Puerto Rico is their common wealth (economy, citizenship, military, etc), thus the name "commonwealth". Wealth and common wealth are two entirely different things

[@efilwv1635]

Apparently Trump doesn’t know its a US territory ether.

[@Ludwig1625]

Daniel Thomas Lol

[@dfuher968]

Remembering back to when the hurricane hit, he didnt mention Puerto Rico at all until 5 days in, and his tweets did sound like he just found out, they were US citizens. Added to that his remarks about meeting "the President of the (US) Virgin Islands", well, enough said. Btw, im from Denmark, who sold the US Virgin Islands to the US in 1917. Despite that being 100 years ago, once the hurricanes hit, we immidiately send our old territories aid in the form of food, water, medical supplies etc and man power. 1 week in, they still reported back to Denmark to seeing almost no US aid.

[@jcheng1981]

Trump said he met with the president of U.S Virgin Islands that tell you something

[@Peace_Guard]

I recommend the below video of CGP Grey on all the constituents of the modern American Empire. Helps understand the complicated issue. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4S2gIR6htuJgrc

[@petertannas2923]

Dfuher D the reason why it took him so long was because the Democratic Party controlled the shipping and exports system. He had to go through Congress and have it changed to republican so he could send things over there. But yeah the tweets and stuff that was pretty bad

[@fernandgutez2383]

In 1916, Puerto Rico asked for Independence and the USA refused (as promised in 1898) and forced USA citizenship upon the people in 1917.

[@louis1443]

That will never happen

[@agonicole]

@Ana Caona and millions are no longer U.S. citizens... never going to happen

[@blazingphantom2813]

I’ve read that there is greater support for Puerto Rico reunifying with Spain than becoming independent.

[@jortiz1451]

Puerto Rico would reunite with Spain. They want us badly. The USA will never let us though.

[@antwandadon2341]

@@jortiz1451 Since when did Spain want Puerto Rico?

[@arturomartinez462]

"Commonwealth" you've spelled COLONY wrong

[@STM1066]

Arturo Martinez colonization is a good thing

[@somatia350]

Shane M oh no...

[@shyryTsr2k]

@@STM1066 *The British Empire would like to know your location*

[@thorpeaaron1110]

I like how the Puerto Rican indepndistas say the US colonized Puerto Rico when Spain colonized the island all the way back in 1493 the United States wasn't even a thing when the Spanish started settling Puerto Rico

[@arturomartinez462]

@@thorpeaaron1110 I like how you're mixing settling and repopulating the island with taking over and colonizing as the US did, because you have no idea what you're talking about.

[@darmycortes7612]

This makes it seem as if the government immediately gave Puerto Ricans citizenship. They didn't. For a long time Puerto Ricans suffered because the US didn't know what to do with their newly acquired colony.

[@rolo9263]

Darmy Cortes puertoricans gained citizenship because the US wanted cheap labor so they gave it to them so they could go work in the US

[@unassumingaccount395]

The US knows what to do. Treating the issue as if the US doesn't know what to do, because it's a 'white mans burden', as they said in propaganda war posters against the Philippines back then, is just stupid.

[@angelferrer892]

They gave us citizenship when WW1 came about if i’m not mistaken, to use us as the first ones to go in

[@Serbagz]

^^^ what he said...we became citizens in time for WW1. We have blood that lived and died fighting for this country.

[@kizi180]

And they gave it just before the world war.

[@jahleesapage4393]

As a proud US Virgin Islander, I would like to point out that, along with PR, we have also suffer from hurricane Maria as well as hurricane Irma and our recovery is just as slow as as PR’s. But we are getting less of the media coverage. The VI has the same rights as PR and have the same struggles but are always left out of the discussion.

[@karl1234ify]

I understand but you have to understand that cabotage laws don't apply to US Virgen Island and that the money that was allocated for Hurricane relief you received months ago while we just received it this week. True we should be talked about having the same struggles, but still, you have some privileges we don't have. So it's incorrect and misleading to say we have the same rights, we have most of the same rights not all of them, and we have a larger population compared to you.

[@_rk553]

You have a much better economy than us

[@dennis771]

Jahleesa Page you are way smarter than those people

[@gamingislife3332]

For sure the thing is people simply care more about Puerto Rican because they speak Spanish and have a big population in the mainland us

[@dennis771]

gaming islife No one cares of PR because they speak Spanish it’s actually the opposite. They just have 30x more people than Virgin Island.

[@OmPatel-cf1mf]

“No taxation without representation” damn hypocrites.

[@joplin8433]

Puerto Ricans do not pay Federal taxes. Puerto Ricans do not pay Federal taxes. Puerto Ricans do not pay Federal taxes. Puerto Ricans do not pay Federal taxes. Puerto Ricans do not pay Federal taxes. Puerto Ricans do not pay Federal taxes. Puerto Ricans do not pay Federal taxes. Puerto Ricans do not pay Federal taxes. Puerto Ricans do not pay Federal taxes. Puerto Ricans do not pay Federal taxes. Puerto Ricans do not pay Federal taxes. Puerto Ricans do not pay Federal taxes. Puerto Ricans do not pay Federal taxes. Puerto Ricans do not pay Federal taxes. Puerto Ricans do not pay Federal taxes. Puerto Ricans do not pay Federal taxes.

[@Beyond_That0]

@@joplin8433 But Puerto Ricans for social security, medicare, stamps... so yeah we do pay federal taxes

[@williamhenning4700]

@@Beyond_That0 And if you didn't like paying taxes to receive those benefits, then you have the ability to vote those policies out...

[@Dianalaguer]

@@williamhenning4700 We don't have the right to vote those policies out. We don't have the right to vote for anything other than a governor, mayor and legislator.

[@williamhenning4700]

@@Dianalaguer You have the ability to vote for people based on their positions. I'm sure there's a candidate who has run on the removal of those policies and if there's not YOU could be that candidate. That's the beautiful thing about democracy.

[@josephleonard6695]

*"In the middle, no. Being a Commonwealth!"* That's basically the same thing

[@marvinuhilarious]

How though? Commonwealth means they are totally self governing and autonomous with the US (which they are). The only thing they share with the US is their common wealth (economy, citizenship, etc), thus the name "commonwealth".

[@josephleonard6695]

@@marvinuhilarious If they get either everything or nothing of the benefits that a US state gets, then they are in the middle.

[@marvinuhilarious]

@@josephleonard6695 They aren't a state nor an independent nation though.... They're a commonwealth, which is precisely in the in between. If they were given the same thing as a state, they'd no longer be considered a commonwealth. The only thing that the US owes to them is their "common wealth" (economy, citizenship, military, etc), thus making them a commonwealth. Wealth (which is what states get) and common wealth are two entirely different things.

[@marvinuhilarious]

@@josephleonard6695 wait... Am I misinterpreting your original comment? Are you making the same exact point I'm making?

[@474yx]

@@marvinuhilarious yes, yes you are.

[@CptnJCFG]

I've been to PR, it is indeed an island surrounded by water.

[@karl1234ify]

Large water, large ocean water.

[@foxenfenny3261]

'-' yes a island is surrounding by water

[@mobilegamingexpress7711]

True story bro

[@PabloCruise91]

shocked

[@none6830]

I ONLY TAUGHT IT CAME FROM THE NORTH SIDE,BUT I DINT NOW IT WAS FROM ALL SIDES

[@axelschultz9550]

No taxation without representation is a statment of hypocrisy.

[@damienscullytoo]

I can't even begin to imagine paying a state which you have no say in.

[@segur006]

Try not paying those taxes, the US will throw you in the clink.

[@iLikeTrainsXx]

Also DC's motto btw

[@bobbob5569]

öl ölson only reason Wshington DC and Puerto Rico don't have representation is because they aren't a Republican majority. In other words, blame the Republicans.

[@chrischg1197]

Trev C You obviously dont know much about PR and its history

[@JurassicRaptor1993]

At this rate, I think Puerto Rico should be it's own country. But the decision is up to them.

[@victoralejandrotrimmerestr3672]

they pay taxes but get less funding and no representation, i dont think the US will be ok with puerto rico being independent

[@blackgold754]

It is

[@melloyello7349]

alexander trimmer they , for the most part, don’t pay personal income tax. They’ve been given the choice usually left with a 50/50 split decision

[@chillvibes375]

its better this way. more safe, leave it this way

[@Juizylive]

No puertorricans wants equality like a state not independent

[@counterfan90]

I wonder if Puerto Ricans would choose to go back to Spain, and if the US would let them go. Interesting topic.

[@Castapher]

lived all my life in here, and never heard of such thing. USA is the way to go. Independence only has 4% support.

[@bayoanocasio4714]

Edwin Calderon those who support statehood are the same schmucks and bozos falling for the PNP crooks (Ex. Ricardo Roselló and his entire cabinet). Independence is the will of the people, but the politicians would rather syphon money into their estates than help the people. Plus the United States sees us as a strategic military base (next to Cuba) so they’d never willingly give up a base, it’s why we haven’t been given autonomy yet. Look up Peace for Vieques for a clear and blatant example of what the US government keeps us around for

[@ramonvazqueztorres7207]

None of us want to go back to Spain XD. As a citizen that's a fact.

[@Perririri]

It would then join the European Union! No kidding; France has an area in Guyana which belongs to both France and the EU. Also, Spain has two small town on the continent of Africa!

[@alejandrasofiarivera6831]

At first when Puerto Rico was transferred to the USA there was a movement to be given back to spain, this was because Spain basically had just given us representation in the spanish parlament and we were now allowed to choose some of the people from the government. After the Paris treaty we were given to the USA and a century went by when we were able to choose who was going to govern PR.

[@paynefanbro]

Taxation without representation. Call it what it is, Puerto Rico is a colony of the United States. We need to stop being hypocrites and either respect/acknowledge Puerto Ricans' decision to become a state, or we let them become an independent nation.

[@Robert-rw5lm]

Bryce Council tge problem is that tge low turnout rate for the vote to become a state, is because the opposition party there made it look like that if don't vote, than you support us, which complicates the decision to make them a state or give them independence

[@tanszism]

Let's just face it now Bryce. There won't be any new nations for a while. They'll be gobbled up before they can get approved for NATO or the UN even if they do come to live.

[@vivapr6136]

Zero II so what your are saying is that more people don't support becoming a state than the ones that do. I mean if the majority of the people supported statehood they will have no problem with the other party telling their voter to not vote because that will be the minority that didn't vote so it wouldn't make a difference.

[@AdamSmith-gs2dv]

PR doesn't pay any federal taxes, in fact it's one of the reasons people want to keep the status quo there. Also PR has its own government just like a state however it has more powers than a normal state government with the only things off the table being defense, international relations, and monetary policy (they use the US dollar and thus are subject to the Fed).

[@boatygatling4782]

Well maybe if they could make up their mind then some proper action could be executed...

[@Rommheim1]

It's called colonialism.

[@utopiandreams5187]

Actually it's Imperialism

[@AC-ll9rr]

DEAD DEAD xx True. I personally think that the US Congress has the moral responsibility to give PR statehood. Its been more than 120 years of colonialism that has forever impacted the island. Its not as easy as saying 'just give them independence" when that is less than 5 % of the population who actually support it. If you are a true american and support the constitution you should respect the right of the Americans citizens in PR to express themselves and receive equal treatment.

[@nmda9578]

Well, what Spain did there was colonialism too. The only truly native Puertoriqueños were the natives living there in the 14 and 1500's.

[@sabin97]

why would anyone want an anglo-saxon system of government when the french model is far superior? and costa rica is an example of non-anglosaxon american nation which has been successful. japan is also a successful non-anglosaxon nation. and singapore. and chile. what makes you think that a lower amount of melanin in the skin makes some sort of difference?

[@javiernegron2633]

Jedem Das Seine Ok, first of all, why don't you go scurrying back to the 1800s? You wouldn't be too missed, I guarantee it. Second of all, I am Puerto Rican, as is everyone in my family, and everyone in my family has an IQ of 130+. I personally have a 145, and my parents have 135 and 140. Race has nothing to do with it

[@TheKnowledgeMan101]

I am so glad my country, the Philippines, received Independence from the US. We used to be an American Commonwealth like Puerto Rico, but we opted for independence and not statehood.

[@kaimalino528]

Aren't you happy some guy named Ferdinand Marcos is President .... again.

[@brianc9374]

And your country is vibrant, wealthy and successful for it....

[@darkness21princess]

"No taxation without representation" yeah right...

[@superdrag65]

Wait, I’ve lived in Puerto Rico all my life, and the statement that we “pay most federal taxes” is something I’ve never heard before. Only certain freelance workers and service providers have to pay federal income taxes on the island. Apart from Social Security, (which we’ll get back in later years, fingers crossed) and whatever levy is being placed on goods as a result from the Jones Act, the rest of our taxes are local in nature, be it “state” or municipal. I’m a proponent of statehood as much as anyone, but to me the mantra of “taxation without representation” falls a bit flat in this case.

[@edwelndiobel1567]

Well I dont want Puerto Rico as a state or any additional territories inducted into the union. Puerto Rico should be given independence. Dont you think?

[@ARCPolus]

@@edwelndiobel1567 nah reunification with spain

[@FirstNameLastName000]

This is so interesting- thanks for the well researched video - so sad about the Hurricane Maria damage - more and more people are staying in FL just to get some basic necessities and a break from all of it

[@ms.verepaine6914]

Except this was not a well research video! Puerto Rico was invaded and Its residents did not automatically receive citizenship. There was a strong Independence movement that the US Gov't treated as terrorist.

[@FirstNameLastName000]

Verepaine that sucks and so sorry to hear it - I work with a good amount of Puerto Ricans and have a good handful of customers originally from there - all good people.

[@chrischg1197]

Verepaine you are the one who is uninformed, the video did not say Puerto Rico got citizenship instantly nor did they say PR was not invaded by the US, and the movement was small, it was small to the point they never accomplished anything significant, they were the minority

[@ms.verepaine6914]

@KomoMedia, I think you misjudge what I was saying. The video did say Spain had given PR to the U.S., and that is a misleading statement (as Daniel just pointed out the US invaded). Next by saying that Spain gave it over and them immediantly they mention they got citizenship does in fact imply that it happened back to back. Look its a short video and isnt comprehensive

[@chrischg1197]

Verepaine the correct answer is a mix of the 2, the US took Puerto Rico peacefully

[@rhodium1096]

Puerto Rico was an Spanish province..NOT an Spanish Colony!

[@FunkyNutBlast2005]

@JimboParadox yes with our taino ancestors. They made them into slaves those who would disagree were killed however they felt like killing them and those who ran were hunted down with the same fate excepting them.

[@friedman01]

I’m sure the Tainos would’ve disagreed with you

[@friedman01]

Mustafa Alam that’s my point. The Spanish colonization exterminated many of them. But a correction to your post: Puerto Ricans on average have Taino ancestry. They’re a mixture of the African slaves, Spanish colonizers, and the Tainos. So they’re not extinct at least genetically but as a distinct people yeah.

[@friedman01]

Mustafa Alam that’s what I said. I was making the point that if the Tainos themselves were alive and could speak now on their view of the Spanish, they’d said colonization not provinces.

[@friedman01]

Mustafa Alam relatively speaking. But the Spanish were cruel and mercilessly. They were no angels and were ruthless in their conquest of the new world.

[@mohammadrasool9198]

Thanks grt explaining 👏

[@fireant202]

I'm from DC where we also don't have a voting voice in Congress...but we have less than a third the population. It's inexcusable that Puerto Rico has so little federal recourse.

[@mysteryman2525]

Jaqen it's all part of government corruption. Follow the money.

[@austinpert7255]

I'm sorry about that. You know why though? Trump and the Republicans don't want you to vote. You live in a liberal democracy's capital, but if you aren't given those rights, it's is TYRANNY and about time you realize.

[@mainfrym]

They had the opportunity to vote on it but nobody voted you can't blame that on the feds

[@raulcruz6601]

Home owners in PR and US pay for FEMA insurance. It's not free

[@raulcruz6601]

We have more freedom here than you will ever know in that tax farm US where slaves live under the illusion of freedom but taxed up to their noses. You work for them ignorant pretender

[@kingberserk1329]

I’m Puerto Rican so I clicked on this video as soon as I saw it 😂😂

[@csokopsglazersout7447]

😂😂😂

[@817sports]

King Berserk what’s so funny

[@Harlock2day]

Now you know you live on an island !

[@hazardbsquad7173]

Same

[@norishkalizgonzalezfiguero2217]

Factssss to tambn😂

[@javieroliveras344]

Excellent video!

[@greenbutter3190]

Stable video👍

[@meatlovr6426]

I love green butter

[@ariblake4080]

They should protest "no taxation without representation." It will show us our hypocrisy

[@Lightscribe225]

Ariblake No taxation means no welfare, social security or medicare. You want benefits you gotta pay in.

[@sabin97]

i'd rather have my country be set free. you tend to your shithole country and i tend to mine....and everyone's happy....

[@Lightscribe225]

Oh that won't be happening after it declared bankruptcy. It pissed off a lot of investors and they aren't going away anytime soon.

[@sabin97]

everyone except the vultures will be happy.

[@Lightscribe225]

Well that and the Puerto Rican government.

[@adrianortega2391]

Why do people dislike this it’s just information? 😅

[@LQNSD]

Adrian Ortega Donald trump burner acc😂

[@theresah1833]

The world may never know....

[@bidenhatesblacksandmexican3362]

This video is all lies

[@derpherpp]

Cause the annoying Spanish accent and no one know pr is a state unless it's pororicans. (Yes that how I spell your island, don't roll your toung to correct me)

[@CataciousAmogusevic]

@@bidenhatesblacksandmexican3362 tell the truth than

[@harutodoroki9918]

The US acquired the Philippines and Puerto Rico at the same time. Thank God the Philippines got independence.

[@edwelndiobel1567]

@@johnmeister2675 Absolutely. It was wrong to have either one of those territories!

[@radrook2153]

It cost them 200,000 dead, and they still were not given independence until years later. In short, the USA stayed even after the Filipinos demanded that they should leave and killed Filipinos to stay there. The same would have happened in Puerto Rico.

[@jaydencollier4944]

I'm really disappointed in myself to admit that I didn't know Puerto Ricans were us citizens until, like December of last year

[@cristianfuentes2597]

Guess u missed history class that day

[@MrJflamewalker]

its ok friend you not the only one a lot people dont know that either

[@axelramirez2157]

we dont blame you,its not your fault,its the government's fault

[@radrook2153]

They keep it very secretive in the elementary education and high schools so that the USA citizens remain unaware of the colonial status being perpetuated.

[@darellarocho5729]

Thank you so much for uploading this video. It reflects very accurately what is happening here on the island.

[@LauraLumos]

I didn't realize they were still struggling as much as they are. I think if we had more compassion for them Congress might be willing to make changes that benefit them. But it starts with us showing we care. Thank you for the information and awareness on the topic!

[@kieyrahaywood8014]

Laura Lumos I agree. We need to find ways to help other Americans have empathy toward them. Then hope that our government will take our concerns for them seriously.

[@stardust4001]

Sup

[@DarnellHendeason-dk3uw]

Laura Lumos : So they are in the same situation that the citizens of DC face, taxation w/o representation.

[@cariad123]

Maybe when the IV bag shortage becomes critical someone will remember that the factory that makes them all is in Puerto Rico

[@dfuher968]

Laura Lumos, also of the 44B dollar hurricane relief voted through, 43B went to Texas and Florida as aid, only 1B went to Puerto Rico.... as a loan. And just last week, Fema told Washington not to worry, Puerto Rico doesnt need that 1B, coz they got 1.7B to spend! Just a couple of tiny little problems with that. Almost all of that money is already earmarked for useless little things, like, u know, keeping Puerto Rico up and running. And even if that 1.7B was actually available, its only a fraction of what is needed to rebuild.

[@ProximaCentauri88]

Viva Puerto Rico! 🇵🇷 Respeto desde Filipinas! 🇵🇭

[@jalisco3591]

Viva Mexico 🇲🇽 !

[@GalaxyDroid1]

@@jalisco3591 y que putas tiene que ver mejico en esto?

[@Rayitolaser569]

@@GalaxyDroid1 Viva Mexico

[@geograficmanodm1408]

It’s quite sad that Puerto Rico was more free and represented when was part of the decadent Spanish “Empire” than now that it is part of the USA

[@bravodefeated9193]

tells alot about the quality of its people, dependent on their master

[@thedevilsM45]

James Rodgers we are born with citizenship. Check your facts. Since 1917 puertoricans have been us citizens and have fought in ww1 and every other conflict us gets in. Income tax does get taken out of paychecks and more puertoricans are bilingual like me. Been on the mainland since 2004 and me and my people are ready to shake your political climate in 2020

[@iafigueroa91]

@James Rodgers You're a liar. Puerto Ricans enjoy the full freedoms as any American born in the states. Certain freedoms, such as voting in Presidential elections are limited, are limited, however, every other freedom is enjoyed by island. Your civil liberties are fully realized, as a Puerto Rican, when you move to the mainland. You don't need to apply for citizenship, if you immigrate to the US, because you are a natural US citizen. I'm Puerto Rican-American, so I know.

[@desklamp9594]

@James Rodgers Puerto Ricans have been us citizens for 100 years

[@thedevilsM45]

@@desklamp9594 don't waste your precious time with nincompoops that still belive this land is theirs. When is all said and done people like him will have to call us master

[@lytrell1326]

I’ve been asking for a video like this

[@GlobalGaming101]

Puerto Rico won’t get respect it deserves until it becomes US state. It could promote investment in the island

[@unassumingaccount395]

Nothing is real but pain Not sure if you know but that's the government's fault dummy. Of course they are going to be shithole because of that.

[@Welkon1]

Hopefully they don’t become a state, they can’t support themselves like every other state, and are culturally different

[@SdoubleA]

Nothing is real but pain Given that Puerto Rico is a part of the U.S, you basically just stated that the U.S is a shithole

[@SirManDudeGuy1]

Welkon STFU in mainland US there are states that are almost entirely dependant on federal money. Most of them red States.

[@dfuher968]

If u guys rly wanna look at it that way, consider this: 1. The Jones Act - due to this archaeic law from 1920 demanding that all US good being transported between US harbors MUST be transported in a US made, US registered ship with a US crew, all goods on Puerto Rico are 20-25% more expensive compared to the rest of the US. In fact, it has been calculated, that the extra cost due to the Jones Act has been 17B dollars in just the last 10 years and counting back to 1920 adds up to MORE than the huge debt, Puerto Rico currently has. 2. The new GOP tax bill - 1 of the lesser known, but very despicable provisions, is a 20% excise tax on all imports from Puerto Rico into the US, which according to economists will be even more devastating to the island than the hurricanes.

[@TunaBear64]

Three years and still no Spanish subtitles, weird, as in Puerto Rico people speak Spanish

[@edwelndiobel1567]

I know they shouldnt be a state they should be their own country.

[@giancarloalers9955]

This video should be viral. I'm from Puerto Rico and I respect you guys for posting this

[@2TheSponge2]

Thank you for this video and for raising awareness

[@AB-vj4nr]

Totally explained in under 5min. Wow you did the impossible. If only one could explain something with so many variables in under 5 mins.

[@ohaatageldi]

This is "Democracy" everywhere in the world.

[@winstong7438]

great video

[@NS-mi9lu]

Y'all couldn't post this a week ago when i needed it for a project lmao

[@darellarocho5729]

I'm from Puerto Rico, and I'd like to know what your project was about and how did it go?

[@Angelitoldr1]

I am Puerto Rican and fully support independence!

[@concepcionledezma5027]

Oh yeah, so you could become chaotic and backwards like the rest of Latin America?

[@thorpeaaron1110]

AGREED Puerto Rico is better off becoming a state

[@thorpeaaron1110]

Puerto Rico shouldn't be a nation

[@alonsoJ2002]

@@thorpeaaron1110 no

[@alonsoJ2002]

@@concepcionledezma5027 racism much? not denying that there are problems in Latin America, but you're basically implying that we are like a rabid dog that if the US leaves us off the leash we will become a wild animal and destroy ourselves. You show no respect for us

[@DiegoMartinez-xp2wq]

Puerto rico should become a U.S state.

[@bravoseis1937]

No

[@boogienights77]

No. I DONT want that to happen.

[@menaak2736]

No This is because it is an autonomous region

[@bravoseis1937]

Here the reason why, or political reason In Puerto Rico there is something called Popular and PNP or that how you spell it Popular =Democrat and PNP = Democrat The island has 3 million people and most of them are PNP meaning is gonna be a blue state/Democrat and it's said that Republican don't want to make Puerto Rico a state because of that. Edit:I fixed it, PNP and Popular are Almost the same just that PNP want to be more with The USA and Popular doesn't.

[@Ricardo-gf7ts]

@@bravoseis1937 WRONG, most of the people in Puerto are PNP (republicans) and you can see it in the election results and the statehood referendum

[@dannyy3438]

Independencia para Puerto Rico 💙🇵🇷💙

[@leonela8396]

Dannyy ❤️🇵🇷

[@thorpeaaron1110]

Statehood is a better choice

[@Primegamin-yh4jm]

I am a Puerto Rican and I say statehood. We rely on the U.S. for trade, food, MILITARY DEFENSE, and if we leave our status in NATO could be questioned buuuuut we could get recognized by the U.N. (basically the entire world except Taiwan and the Vatican) and get someone to represent us in NATO

[@Primegamin-yh4jm]

@President Coin Ik but there are a lot of members of the U.N. that do recognize it but thx lemme update it

[@guanajuato_1150]

U ain’t gonna last😂

[@rolo9263]

VOX failed to say that Puerto Rico was INVADED by the US after the war ended. And that citizenship came because the US wanted them to work in the "mainlan"

[@chrischg1197]

Rona Ld Could you stop pretending your from Puerto Rico? If you keep that up I will become dumber than you

[@isobro1638]

rapidtory.com/AOLE

[@Kyloni]

I mean that's what happens when you loose a war lol...

[@andydavis3075]

Puerto Rico was part of Spain, was never really it's own nation.

[@rumblefish9]

I don't think they invaded. Spain gave up Puerto Rico and a few of its colonies to the US (look up Treaty of Paris) The US bought the Philippines for 20 mil.

[@zendaya8584]

i love puerto rico🇵🇷🇵🇷

[@navbravic1355]

2:16 Who the hell decided to use yellow and... slightly darker yellow as two of the three colors on this graph?????

[@HayTatsuko]

It makes the graphic designer in me rage, 100%. I loathe charts and infographics that have hard-to-discern colors.

[@policestraightharassing1634]

It’s kind of like when the British colonized the United States. Americans were furious due to taxation without representation, kind of like the same thing going on in Puerto Rico. Except that Puerto Ricans don’t seem to care because they can legally travel to mainland US to escape any concerns they may have in Puerto Rico so they don’t take action politically.

[@policestraightharassing1634]

Gabriel García Then why is there a movement supported by the former Puerto Rican governor and other leaders to make Puerto Rico a U.S. State?

[@jackdamenace13]

This is basic elementary school education. How do people not know Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 is a U.S. territory? People need to start reading more because public education is failing them.

[@dfuher968]

Here in Europe, every few years we have 1 of those surveys, where they ask, which word we most connect with various countries. Every single time, the same 2 words to describe the US outstrip all other words by a huge margin: ignorant and arrogant. I have met Americans, who are neither, well mostly. Even the best educated Americans Ive met have known surprisingly little about the history, culture and even geography of the European countries. I often get the feeling, that u have been raised to think, that u have the best country in the world, and every1 else are jealous and eager to get to the US, and hence u dont need to know anything about any other countries. And its rly sad. Not only are u missing out on so much, understanding other countries and their history and culture would be hugely benificial in diplomacy and trade. And ofc, u would understand, why my neighbors in Norway and the rest of us Scandinavians have zero interest in emigrating to the US :P

[@NoahDVS]

I think it has a lot to do with proximity to other countries. Because most European countries are relatively close to each other and because of the EU, knowing the history of other European countries is important, but how much do most Europeans know about unrelated countries in Africa, the Middle East, South America and Asia? While it is true that the US education system has lots of problems, the US is also quite geographically isolated compared to European countries. Many states are as large as powerful European countries like the UK, France and Germany. Most of us never actually need to know anything besides English and never need to leave the country. Leaving the country is also very expensive. If you don't use what you learn, you forget it.

[@stormbringer2189]

Noah does have a point, Americans don't really need to know because they don't live near most other countries. It is just a huge waste of time to study about the history of some far off European country like Lithuania, when you could spend more time learning other things. Europeans are kinda jealous why, because they keep griping about the US, when in reality not many people in the US care about what's going on in the rest of the world they have other things to worry about.

[@dfuher968]

aaaaaand Storm Bringer just proved my point. And NoahDVS, we know enough to know, that when interacting with other far off countries we need to prepare and study those countries. And from Ive seen and heard from Americans, it sounds like, we learn more about US history in our schools, than u do in urs.

[@stormbringer2189]

You don't need to learn about every country in school that is just how things are if you want to learn about said country's history you can go to the library, no need to take up precious time learning about trivial things. Like I said before what does Learning about the history of Lithuania have to do with the US? It really doesn't so it doesn't get talked about in class. You are being too idealistic it's no possible to cover every individual countries history in a class semester.

[@marianasarmiento3025]

As a puertorican im sooo happy someone is shedding light on our situation👏🏻

[@yttdbutgay]

But finally, a good video with real information about Puerto Rico. FINALLY!!!!

[@MrMaybe-rm6bo]

US even gave up Philippine Commonwealth without referendum

[@gaiusjuliuscaesar4256]

That is because they were too big and too far away to be effectively governed by the US, unlike Guam, American Samoa, or Puerto Rico.

[@ranelgallardo5343]

They had a war over that

[@sshum00]

Hmm, this is odd, many of my friends that studied abroad mentioned that they don't pay federal income tax in Puerto Rico.

[@fernandgutez2383]

Shelby Shum - What they failed to say is that they pay State Commonwealth Taxes, which is often higher than the Federal, plus a sales tax of 11.5%.

[@Antihumanistas]

wtf is it my imagination or the music in this episode has an unusually high quality, Im waring sennheiser headphones and it sounds like its coming from outside of them

[@McLovin-cj7xr]

Funny how people from Europe and Asia don’t realize Bad Bunny and Dadee Yankee are from there 😂🤦🏻‍♂️

[@ericmatta1429]

In November 2020 Puertorricans elected statehood 53% over independence with a 68% of participants voters ... I hope that US Congress respect our decision to become a state. Remember that we are US citizens...

[@justinus8608]

No no no, 53% Statehood vs 47% No Statehood, not 47% independence

[@morestuff64058]

I Disagree with Puerto Rico becoming a state. it should become a country

[@depoxus]

No taxation without representation!

[@ronaldjavierperezfigueroa4762]

Why was there no mention of the independence movement?

[@FOLIPE]

Ronald Javier Perez Figueroa they want to make it sound like the only thing preventing Puerto Rico from becoming a state is the US. They should look up more Puerto Rican history....

[@diegoaponte781]

Cause people who support it are the 0.0000000001% of the population and it doesn’t have any significance

[@pifdemestre7066]

Only 0.0000000001%? As there are 3 337 177 inhabitant, that mean that there is not even an entire guy in favor of the independence.

[@PHlophe]

Ronaldinho its few and far between. Chulo

[@bryantmyers9017]

lol because there is no independence movement here (coming from a Puertorican)

[@mitnrs]

1:15 are they wearing malteasers on their heads

[@KristinaLopezWrites]

It’s so sad...that’s exactly what Cuba didn’t want back in the 40s, I believe....the US was trying to get them to be a part of them like PR is now, but Cuba wanted to be its own country without allegiance to another host country with no say in the matter. I hate it for PR and I hate it for Cuba...why my Caribbean people gotta be treated like this?!

[@dantedante839]

The first country to be "treated" like that was the Dominican Republic, when the Monroe Doctrine came into appearing. Sadly, only Puerto Rico failed.

[@JK-gu3tl]

Cubans and Philippines want independence. PR wants statehood...smh

[@mdejesus3888]

@@dantedante839 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@mdejesus3888]

🙄🤥🤥

[@jeanxoxo_ofc]

@@JK-gu3tl lol

[@paokmoo]

lol at the topic! You explained the history of Puerto Rico, but you did not answer your own topic, "Why Puerto Rico is not a US state"? WHY?

[@moosesandmeese969]

Because senators don't care and it's also somewhat of a partisan issue because the island would likely vote democrat and republicans don't want to lose the control they still have. They will use excuses like poverty and crime rate to justify ignoring the island. And if it became a legitimate proposal in congress, you know for a fact that republicans and especially trump will start saying that all Puerto Ricans are rapists and drug addics, the same things they say about Mexicans, and use that as a pretense for denying statehood

[@babykevinxoxo]

Pr don't want to be a state.

[@alexiel4406]

I thought it was due to difference In culture, low literacy rates, low English speaking rates, massive debt, and major problems with their local government, but nope it’s because some senators just don’t want it to be a state

[@blackgold754]

Alexiel Black maybe that as well

[@Juizylive]

@@babykevinxoxo you dont want that 😒

[@giveussomevodka]

No Taxation Without Representation!

[@PhedelCastro]

They don’t pay federal taxes

[@jorgeore86]

5 minutes ago ummm yes we do! It even said it in the video if you had watched it.

[@thanos2170]

Jorge Luis www.forbes.com/sites/robertwood/2014/07/04/hate-taxes-move-to-tax-free-puerto-rico-stay-american-avoid-irs/#106ade916397 Wrong

[@PhedelCastro]

Vlad the guru not Federal Taxes! They only take taxes!

[@TropicLifePR]

This is still a hot topic today.

[@IvisGarciaZambrana]

A point on 1:19 min deserves more explanation. Puerto Ricans don't pay federal income tax unless they work for the US government. They do pay the following federal taxes- payroll taxes, social security taxes, business taxes, gift taxes, estate taxes, etc.

[@MrNigelcini]

Puerto Rico is just like the island of Malta was to Great Britain before 1964, it had its own 'government' but budgeting and other matters where taken by the British parliament, at a point it was discussed for Malta to have representatives in the House of Commons in London however it ended up taking the decision to become an independent country and later on a republic. So I think Puerto Rico should use Malta as a case study for their future​.

[@jatg1213]

This was a really nice video, but you failed to mention a few important aspects as to why PR is still not a US state. I would also like to note how PR was allowed an autonomous charter by Spain, shortly before being invaded by the US a mere eight days later. It was then 50 years before they were "given" the privilege of having their own governor. This video makes it seem like this happened all at once. In addition, it was 20 years until those born in 1898, and conveniently old enough to fight in WW1, were granted US citizenship. Or how the island already fought through recover from another monster storm - San Ciriaco - in which thousands died with the US sending NO AID. You also failed to mention the Insular Cases before the Supreme Court, a series of rulings from the same court that decided “separate but equal” segregation in Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896. Only these cases still provide president and are a major reason why PR receives substantially less than it gives to the federal government in comparison to some similarly sized states. At one point, these courts declared that there could be no minimum wage standard as was already established in the US. Or the mass sterilizations perpetrated by the US, or massacres while under US appointed governors, or the inevitable racist comments brought up whenever the premise of statehood was brought up (some repeated in this comment section). It is difficult to prosper under colonialism. As one of the last colonies left in the world, what we are seeing now in PR is a direct result of centuries of colonial rule - first by Spain, and now by the United States.

[@ARCPolus]

My guy the Spanish Empire wasn't a colonial one.

[@trustinyeshua5966]

But now ALL Puerto Rican’s (on the Island and the USA) will band together and FIGHT for our Island, Heritage, and Culture! Que viva Puerto Rico! GOD Bless us all! I’m extremely proud to be Puerto Rican!

[@trustinyeshua5966]

Theodore Marakas Do you have a problem with Heritage and culture?

[@matthewmann8969]

I think Charleston would of been a more familiar feeling place for Puerto Ricans to migrate to in large numerals then New York City

[@thomassaenz792]

We should combine north and South Dakota then make Puerto Rico a state. Like honestly I feel like one of the big fears of making Puerto Rico a state would be that we would have 51 states instead of 50. Like 50 is such a nice number but so is 51

[@dennis771]

Thomas Saenz lol funny. We don’t want to be a multi nations nation. Independent is the best for them

[@theemperor1363]

@@dennis771 that's not gonna happen.

[@dennis771]

Master Chof what won’t happen?

[@gaiusjuliuscaesar4256]

@@dennis771 Independence is *not* best for them. They would collapse very quickly after becoming independent, besides their defence force and economic support would be cut completely. Statehood is the best option for them.

[@dennis771]

@@gaiusjuliuscaesar4256 PR will never become a state

[@Sabineous]

"Taxation without Representation"...except they left out the part where they do not have to pay Federal Income tax, which is the largest tax that most individuals end up paying. Also, they talk about how Congress rarely discusses Puerto Rico's status, but that's because the ball is in Puerto Rico's court. Only if Puerto Rico votes to be annexed by the US does a change in status become a congressional issue.

[@MiguelHernandez-pi4ie]

According to the online archive "All POW-MIA Korean War Casualties," the total number of Puerto Rican casualties in the Korean War was . Out of the more than casualties suffered in the war, a total of men were listed as Missing in Action.

[@johnrodriguez7742]

GOD( Father, Son, Holy Spirit) Bless The United States of America and The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico USA.🇺🇸🇵🇷🦅🗽🙏✝️☦️❤️

[@thetrashmaster1352]

Australia had a territory like this once. We gained it in World War 1 (quite a while after the Spanish-American war.) We let them become a country in 1975. It is now called Papua New Guinea. And as for changing the flag? We haven't yet, Australia still has a 7 point star representing every state and Papua new guinea, we just changed the meaning of it so the other point is for the Australia territories.

[@inmortalgirl9480]

Where is our Puerto Rican people in this comments? I miss the island, anyone else? 😭

[@branden8022]

Ponce/Guayama pride!

[@mynameIwantistaken]

It wasn't mentioned really in this but from my understanding, there are benefits to not officially being a state which is why they have voted to stay a commonwealth. Like they are currently not having to pay some types of taxes which would likely change if they became a state? It was something like that. Plus the identity thing. Side note: my grandmother is one of the 46% that didn't know they were US citizens until I mentioned her visiting it. Her response was "Oh but Phil (her husband) doesn't have a passport."

[@radrook2153]

They have their own Olympic teams in the Olympics. Those teams have cost the USA the loss of certain gold medals.

[@grumpiesttitan7930]

Got this when Puerto Rico just voted for statehood

[@adamsandlersbathwater2421]

yeah statehood won but not by much and comparing with our previous referendum the results are so different that it might even hurt us more than benefit us

[@westpr1]

It is so well explained that I am still in shock. As a fellow puertorrican it is warming to know that people ACTUALLY see us and make videos explaining our situations. Thanks Vox

[@felani1647]

Puerto Rican here, and all American at heart and mind. Dad served one tour in the Korean Conflict and two tours in Vietnam, returning after his last tour only to die of the chemical injury shortly afterwards. Mom was a teacher in America, who LIVED to share "the 3 R's", as she said. Cub Scout "Den Mother" for 30 years. Volunteer. So much more, and I don't know how I could have been so blessed. I live in pure pride and THANKFULNESS to America, as my parents did, and I've done what some have called "my part"....but my part exists daily. I stand with and for America. Take little. Give all you can. It is the truth behind happiness.

[@rhzgaming7719]

who's here when puerto rico just voted for statehood?

[@j.davila4523]

Me

[@bravoseis1937]

They aren't, Short Answer: Republicans in the Senate

[@rhzgaming7719]

@@bravoseis1937 ya i only said that puerto rico voted for statehood, of course it must go through congress and the senste, i simply just said the puerto rico voted for statehood

[@bravoseis1937]

@@rhzgaming7719 oh my bad

[@dxrod7790]

People do know that Puerto Rico itself doesn't want to be a state, the government isn't allowed to do anything until the territory applies for statehood, and they have not

[@rogeriopimentafilho5169]

What about “No taxation without representation”?

[@takeahint683]

I love how America is ignoring what the country stands for..."freedom." It is literally just modern imperialism.

[@concepcionledezma5027]

Call it what you want, if Puerto Rico becomes independent, it'll become just as mis-managed as the rest of Latin America. The US is doing Puerto Rico a huge favor by making it a commonwealth, along with doing it for American interest, of course.

[@chad2522]

@@concepcionledezma5027 Amen. As a Puerto Rican you have no idea how much sense you make. All these mainland Americans think we want independence. We will just end up like Haiti or cuba if we become independent

[@caleb.z]

I love the topic, but I think there's a lot more depth that this video could'e gone into.

[@westendlolo3313]

U got more chances and opportunities on the mainland Puerto Rico tho is so chill and fun we have a lot of problems but everyone just tryna have a good time back home

[@andrewcampbell1129]

Taxation without representation Was the reason for US revolutionary war Is that the same thing taking place on Puerto Rico???

[@juice8431]

nope they just dont care

[@dasbubba841]

Exactly! Which is why Puerto Ricans, except those working for the Federal Government, do not pay federal income taxes!

[@marlene97280]

Same thing in Martinique and Guadeloupe in "french Caribbean" Libertad y Dignidad Viva Puerto Rico libre

[@pookpook3891]

Sauf qu'on peut voter et élire nos représentants. Nous avons aussi des députés à l'assemblée et de l'aide lors de catastrophe. Pas eux. Bien que notre situation ne soit pas enviable, je ne peux imaginer ne pas avoir le droit de voter ni d'avoir des représentants. Nos situations doivent changer.

[@marlene97280]

@@pookpook3891 oui, au moins on a accès aux mêmes droits civils et politiques. Les américains se vantent d'être le pays de la démocratie, alors que en leur sein ce n'est pas tous les citoyens qui y ont accès Après le passage de Maria, il y a eu toutefois le promesa act

[@Saltycures]

I don’t feel Puerto Ricans should worry about losing their identity with statehood. We’ve definitely managed to keep ours here in Hawaii. Culture remains strong with those who choose to carry it on!

[@alonsoJ2002]

Still, Hawaii has become much more commercialized, and the population is much less native. Puerto Rico would lose its language, tradition, and culture, and it would become a commodity for tourists. No disrespect to Hawaii, I just hate the idea of Puerto Rico becoming like Hawaii.

[@Saltycures]

@@alonsoJ2002 I really don’t think you have much to worry about. As a US territory, tourists can already visit there. Becoming a state doesn’t seem like it would increase tourism any further.

[@alonsoJ2002]

@@Saltycures I guess I suspect that more people would start moving to the island from the states. There's no way to know if that's true or not. But I see your point.