Should Puerto Rico The Become 51st State?

I'm not sure if you realized it, but there's a quiet effort underway to make Puerto Rico the 51st State... and it's gaining support in Congress.
http://blogs.ajc.com/jamie-dupree-washington-insider/2010/04/29/puerto-rico-vote/

The U.S. House votes today on a bill that would let the citizens of Puerto Rico determine their future relationship with the United States, with one option possibly being that the island could become the 51st State. But it will take more than one vote.

The bill is H.R. 2499, the Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2009, which was introduced last October. It would set up a pair of votes to help determine what - if any - changes residents would like to make in their governing structure, which would include statehood and independence.

The first vote would be pretty simple, asking voters if they want things to stay the same or change. If the change option wins, then Puerto Ricans could vote on a series of different options in a second referendum.

At this moment in time, Puerto Rico is a commonwealth: they don't pay federal income taxes, though they do pay social security... they also have a non-voting representative in Congress.


The process won't be quick or easy, however. Here's how it would work. The House bill to give Puerto Ricans a choice would have to pass the House, pass the Senate, and be signed by the President. Then Puerto Rico would hold a referendum asking if they wanted any change to their status. If the answer is yes, then another referendum is held asking WHAT changes to their status are desired. If the voters choose at that time to become a state, then a statehood bill would have to be introduced in Congress, passed by both Houses, and signed by the President.

Whew.

SO what do YOU think? Should we welcome Puerto Rico as the 51st State in the Union?

(Look for the poll question coming up shortly.)