By: Daniel Nardini
In a bid for his 2012 presidential reelection campaign, U.S. President Barack Obama said that Puerto Rico and Puerto Ricans have the right “to choose statehood or independence.” If Puerto Ricans choose one or the other, the U.S. government would “support you.” These were his words. One thing a head of state should do is choose his words carefully. In this case, Obama is opening up a political pandora’s box.
By giving encouragement to those for statehood and/or independence, it could give a boost to both sides. In the case of statehood, those who want Puerto Rico to become a state might find considerable opposition from anti-immigrant groups who have influence in the U.S. Congress. Although there are powerful Democrats and Republicans who would like to see Puerto Rico as the 51st state, there are many who do not want a largely Spanish speaking state.
And then there those who want independence who might be encouraged by Obama stating that the U.S. government will support Puerto Rican independence. Although only four percent of the people of Puerto Rico want outright independence, this is very scary to many Americans as well as Puerto Ricans in the United States. Many Americans will see Puerto Rico becoming an independent nation as the beginning of the break-up of the Union. Puerto Ricans for their part will be afraid that their U.S. citizenship might be in jeopardy. Can citizens of an independent Puerto Rico have U.S. citizenship? And if not, what about Puerto Ricans in the United States?
It is very doubtful at this point that Puerto Ricans will opt for statehood or independence. Since the establishment of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico—where the people have had autonomy and self-government—the overwhelming majority of Puerto Ricans have preferred the status quo. The argument of whether Puerto Rico should retain its Commonwealth status, become a new state, or become an independent country is not a new argument. But a head of state should not stir up such a sensitive issue even for a bid at reelection. Some things are best left unsaid.
Some Things are Best Left Unsaid
By: Daniel Nardini
In a bid for his 2012 presidential reelection campaign, U.S. President Barack Obama said that Puerto Rico and Puerto Ricans have the right “to choose statehood or independence.” If Puerto Ricans choose one or the other, the U.S. government would “support you.” These were his words. One thing a head of state should do is choose his words carefully. In this case, Obama is opening up a political pandora’s box.
By giving encouragement to those for statehood and/or independence, it could give a boost to both sides. In the case of statehood, those who want Puerto Rico to become a state might find considerable opposition from anti-immigrant groups who have influence in the U.S. Congress. Although there are powerful Democrats and Republicans who would like to see Puerto Rico as the 51st state, there are many who do not want a largely Spanish speaking state.
And then there those who want independence who might be encouraged by Obama stating that the U.S. government will support Puerto Rican independence. Although only four percent of the people of Puerto Rico want outright independence, this is very scary to many Americans as well as Puerto Ricans in the United States. Many Americans will see Puerto Rico becoming an independent nation as the beginning of the break-up of the Union. Puerto Ricans for their part will be afraid that their U.S. citizenship might be in jeopardy. Can citizens of an independent Puerto Rico have U.S. citizenship? And if not, what about Puerto Ricans in the United States?
It is very doubtful at this point that Puerto Ricans will opt for statehood or independence. Since the establishment of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico—where the people have had autonomy and self-government—the overwhelming majority of Puerto Ricans have preferred the status quo. The argument of whether Puerto Rico should retain its Commonwealth status, become a new state, or become an independent country is not a new argument. But a head of state should not stir up such a sensitive issue even for a bid at reelection. Some things are best left unsaid.