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> Puerto Rico should really be a state by now. Would it being a state given it any distinct advantages (or are there any specific problems in light of it not b

> Puerto Rico should really be a state by now. Would it being a state given it any distinct advantages (or are there any specific problems in light of it not being a state) in this type of situation? Puerto Rico's economy has been crippled by the Jones Act, which affects all US states/territories that rely solely on sea transportation for trade with the US. Hawaii is the only state that fits that description, and they've also been suffering deeply due to the Jones Act, although not as badly as Puerto Rico (for reasons due to the specifics of Hawaii's economy, not its statehood).

giancarlostoro 9y ago
Jones Act and a couple of other things: https://www.bna.com/demise-puerto-rico-n57982074653/ https://www.bna.com/demise-puerto-rico-n57982074653/ Used to be that Puerto Rico was once upon a time #1 in manufacturing, Japan was #2. The USA and England followed. Something to think about. Puerto Rico exports out of the US more pharmaceuticals than California currently, or at least it did in 2015[0]. There's so much potential for Puerto Rico. We also have a lot of engineers in NASA (or did?) because they go to Puerto Rico to hire engineering students if I remember correctly from Mayaguez. So much potential and it's sad to see it go to waste, I think all Puerto Ricans are to blame as much the people as the politicians. We all always blame politicians but as a people we don't do enough. [0]: http://www.puertoricoreport.com/puerto-rico-leads-pharmaceutical-exports/#.WQsV89ryuUl http://www.puertoricoreport.com/puerto-rico-leads-pharmaceut...
- chimeracoder 9y ago
  > I think all Puerto Ricans are to blame as much the people as the politicians. We all always blame politicians but as a people we don't do enough. I can't think of a single thing Puerto Ricans could reasonably and legally do that would have fixed this problem. The inability to import/export things at reasonable rates has crippled the economy, and nothing short of federal policy changes (which Puerto Ricans cannot directly influence, short of moving to the mainland) would impact those fundamental economic realities.
  - giancarlostoro 9y ago
    I meant in regard to current problems. There is crazy corruption. Like how much some politicians and judges make after retirement, which was brought to court, but who hears a case when it's against a judge other than a judge?

giancarlostoro 9y ago

Jones Act and a couple of other things: https://www.bna.com/demise-puerto-rico-n57982074653/ https://www.bna.com/demise-puerto-rico-n57982074653/ Used to be that Puerto Rico was once upon a time #1 in manufacturing, Japan was #2. The USA and England followed. Something to think about. Puerto Rico exports out of the US more pharmaceuticals than California currently, or at least it did in 2015[0]. There's so much potential for Puerto Rico. We also have a lot of engineers in NASA (or did?) because they go to Puerto Rico to hire engineering students if I remember correctly from Mayaguez. So much potential and it's sad to see it go to waste, I think all Puerto Ricans are to blame as much the people as the politicians. We all always blame politicians but as a people we don't do enough. [0]: http://www.puertoricoreport.com/puerto-rico-leads-pharmaceutical-exports/#.WQsV89ryuUl http://www.puertoricoreport.com/puerto-rico-leads-pharmaceut...

chimeracoder 9y ago
> I think all Puerto Ricans are to blame as much the people as the politicians. We all always blame politicians but as a people we don't do enough. I can't think of a single thing Puerto Ricans could reasonably and legally do that would have fixed this problem. The inability to import/export things at reasonable rates has crippled the economy, and nothing short of federal policy changes (which Puerto Ricans cannot directly influence, short of moving to the mainland) would impact those fundamental economic realities.
- giancarlostoro 9y ago
  I meant in regard to current problems. There is crazy corruption. Like how much some politicians and judges make after retirement, which was brought to court, but who hears a case when it's against a judge other than a judge?