> there is simply no way they can export anything at a competitive rate Statehood itself might not directly solve this, but it would get them representation. T

> there is simply no way they can export anything at a competitive rate Statehood itself might not directly solve this, but it would get them representation. Two senators and a handful of congressmen can solve a great deal of problems. I agree the export situation is not ideal. I disagree that this is the a game-ending proposition for the Puerto Rican economy. Without corruption, or at least some corruption mitigation the state of Puerto Rico could at least move in one direction... One direction, speaking of famous people Did you Ricky Martin, Benicio Del Toro and Joaquin Phoenix are all Puerto Rican. Did you know that there are software companies there, mostly boring B2B and financial stuff because of the friendly tax situation there. It seems a real place with real people can produce Stars and Software even when there is corruption. Imagine if they could use some federal funds to clean up the broken glass and old plastic from their beaches while they clean out their oligopoly. An actual tourism industry with actual competition. Exports can be important or can be minor. Clearly it is not the only thing in $103 billion per year economy of Puerto Rico. Consider that Nebraska (I keep using NE because the other half of my family is there) is only generating $80 billion per year and is landlocked so the Nebraskan export situation is even worse and few are attesting to the dire state here.