cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/21457654
Eighteen
I’ve heard two different thoughts from Puerto Ricans.
Some want full statehood, and to be treated as any other state.
Others want full independance as it’s own country.
Now opinions on which are back and forth, person to person. However EVERYONE agrees on one thing. The current system of being a territory only benefits tourists and capitolists. EVERYBODY hates the idea of being a territory.
Now, statehood or independance, which one is better for the people living there? Well, I feel like a middle aged white dude from Ohio shouldn’t have a horse in that race. Especially since I’ve never even been there.
All that being said, I hope they find a better life through a better system. However that may come. Because the current system for them is clearly intentionally broken.
They have regular referendums about this, in 2020 52% wanted to be a state, against 48% that didn’t.
This year they will get another one with 3 options Statehood, Independence, or Free Association like the Marshall Islands or Micronesia (i.e. technically independent enough to have a UN seat, but dependent on the US for defense and things like social security).