Chirol’s Take on a 51st State

Before my two week trip to Puerto Rico, I took some time to read a little of the island’s history and investigate its chances (and inclinations) with regard to becoming America’s 51st state. Although I went once before on a personal matter, I had no time to see much of the island nor to consider such matters. This time I did.

What do they want?

The most important question on my mind was whether Puerto Ricans wanted to become a state, remain a territory or become independent. As I noted previously, there’s a fairly large percentage of people who favor statehood which is approximately 44% according to the past referendums. Yet, a majority has never been achieved. So I set off asking questions. The information cited here is based on those conversations which naturally only represent the views of family and friends. The one thing almost everyone agrees on is that Puerto Rico has little to no chance on its own. While some wistfully expressed interest in independence, I found everyone to be quite realist when it comes to the island’s future. Thus, independence is out. My next question was what has kept Puerto Rico from voting for statehood?

Here answers began to vary. Perhaps one of the most interesting was that many people are mostly scared of losing “national” symbols such as their Olympic team (who’ve won 6 medals), beauty queeions (having won the Miss Universe pageant five times in1970, 1985, 1993, 2001, 2006), and especially their language. On top of that, Puerto Rico’s legal system is based on Spanish civil law and uses US law for federal matters. Incorporation as a US state would radically change many of the island’s laws. Thus, it seems that if some accommodations were made, a majority could possibly be reached. Yet, the question is whether the US should alter its rules for a potential state it doesn’t really need financially or strategically?

Up to par?

Assuming that a majority favored statehood, the most important question, blatantly obvious to anyone who’s visited, is whether the island even meets US standards? With an unemployment rate of 12%, a huge percent on food stamps, rampant crime, the highest crime rate in America, and what I term “third world tendencies,” the island as the 51st may cost more than its worth. While fantastic by Caribbean standards, PR falls far short of America ones. The drive from San Juan’s airport quickly reveals this. Missing street signs, chaotic traffic, lax police, serious potholes, broken traffic lights are all quite a shock to anyone expecting this US territory to be “American.” This driver even (albeit accidentally) broke a few traffic laws in plain view of the disinterested police.

Crime

But after our drive, the picturesque colored houses of old San Juan and past the palm trees, gorgeous beaches and friendly people, Puerto Rico has a serious poverty problem more comparable to many third world places I’ve visited than to America (though America does have bad areas too). The presence of crime is also immediately obvious with regard to omnipresent jail like houses. Nearly every patio, window, balcony and house has bars and fences. Sitting on the porch feels like “exercise time” before heading back to your cell. Spikes adorn the top of many a high wall, even second and third story apartments have bars! While this is certainly not something unique to Puerto Rico, it’s far more extreme than security measures one would see in America. And to make a final note about crime, drugs are an enormous problem as Puerto Rico has become the front line for drugs headed north. Over 60% of murders are drug related and more policemen die in Puerto Rico than in New York. The state seems far from having a monopoly on violence.

The economics of it all

Economically, Puerto Rico is also behind the US with a per capita GDP of $18,700 compared to America’s $41,600 and unemployment at 12% compared to the US’s 5%. While tourism is a strong and growing source of income and development for the island (over 5 million tourists annually), its previously strong agrigucultural industry was decimated by the introduction of the American minimum wage. According to Wikipedia and the CIA World Factbook:

[...] Puerto Ricans have a 48.2% poverty rate. By comparison, the poorest State of the Union, Mississippi, had a median level of $21,587 [GDP -chirol] , according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey, 2002 to 2004 Annual Social and Economic Supplements. Since 1952, the gap between Puerto Rico’s per capita income and U.S. national levels has essentially remained unchanged — one third the U.S. national average and roughly half that of the poorest state. Nevertheless Puerto Rico remains the most developed nation in Latin America…

This only forces the question the island’s fitness for statehood. Economically, Puerto Rico is a net loss for the United States and strategically it has lost most of its value (as well as its bases).

Coming or going?

In addition to crime, and economics, culturally Puerto Ricans are indeed a unique group, an ethnic mix of African, Indian, Spanish and American and a cultural mix of Caribbean, Latin and American. Although American citizens, they have a much stronger attachment to the island than say Americans do to their state. They have to ask themselves where their loyalty lies.

This author believes in the right of Puerto Ricans to decide their own fate which is also exactly what American policy has allowed. As an American, I would welcome them should they opt to be a state (despite being citizens). From my government’s perspective, they are almost certainly a much bigger liability than asset. Strategically, they may have lost much of their former importance but cutting them off would certainly create another failing state in the Caribbean in the long term. Ultimately the choice is theirs, however Americans must ask themselves how long they are willing to wait (and pay for it).