Quartz- Puerto Rico's Statehood Dispute Continues

Puerto Rico seems to have gotten closer than ever recently to becoming the 51st state of the US.  Sadly, it still has a long way to go.  With mixed feelings along with a Republican-dominated Congress and opposing governor, the road to statehood for Puerto Rico has only begun.

For decades since it became a territory of the United States in 1898, Puerto Rico has endured what can only be described as a "very unbalanced and one-sided relationship".  Since its annexation by the US during the Spanish-American War, the island has to deal with much injustice and lack of political significance.  Puerto Rico is authorized to fight on behalf of the US in foreign wars and conflicts, however they have no power to vote for the president that authorizes them.  They pay their taxes and are excluded from some taxes states have, but unlike states, they have no representative in Congress that can vote on how they are to spend them.  In short, Puerto Rico is the classic American scenario of taxation without representation.

This is prevalent in the other territories as well, including The US Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Marshall Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.  Focusing on Puerto Rico, their bid to become a state has been hotter than ever.  They still however have a very long road ahead of them that only seems to get more difficult.

Geographically speaking, HEI, location, place, region, and movement are all major here.  Many people visit, have family there, and Puerto Rico is the most prominent territory in the US area, population wise and economically.  Though they have been closely associated with the US for over a century, they have had little connection with them politically, and that needs to change.

Do you support Puerto Rico's movement towards statehood?  Do you oppose it?  Are you neutral?  Comment, I welcome it all.