r/InternationalNews Nov 04 '24

Opinion/Analysis Americans excluded from the ballot: Puerto Ricans

278 Upvotes

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27

u/MrCalPoly Nov 04 '24

Make Puerto Rico the 51st state or give them independence. E d taxation without representation, end 2nd class citizenship.

4

u/upsidedownbackwards Nov 05 '24

I'm not sure which would be better. If they became part of the US they would still be looked at as second class citizens, but with the right to vote. I see a lot of the natives being pushed to the worst areas as the rich take over the island state. Or worse, it could become another Florida.

But being their own country probably wouldnt go well either. The corruption there runs so strong, and so deep. They'd probably end up being slave wage labor for companies that deal in/with america.

I'm not saying that staying a weird possession-colony of the US is a good thing. I think the terms are pretty scummy. But I think they're also set up to fail as soon as they try to change things.

-3

u/ClockwiseServant Nov 05 '24

Puerto Ricans are not required to pay federal tax unlike the citizens in either of the 50 states

6

u/notarackbehind Nov 05 '24

Consequently, while all Puerto Rico residents pay federal taxes, many residents are not required to pay federal income taxes. Aside from income tax, U.S. federal taxes include customs taxes,[1] federal commodity taxes, and federal payroll taxes (Social Security, Medicare, and Unemployment taxes).

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxation_in_Puerto_Rico