Competing Bills Could Lead To Puerto Rico's Statehood Or Independence

For the first time Wednesday, a House committee held hearings on two competing bills which could lead to statehood or independence for Puerto Rico; CBS2's Tony Aiello reports.

[Ryvucz]

I'd like to welcome them as a state, but would also support their independence.

[krudo]

This is basically independence for culture and statehood for economics

[hacienda]

Despite what this comment section says, support for independence in Puerto Rico rarely exceeds 5% lol.

[radrook]

When Puerto Ricans consider independence, most of them panic. When other people, including Afro and Anglo-Americans, imagine themselves losing independence, they panic. Big cultural difference.

[dandychiggins]

They need independence. Give it to them.

[masterofvillainy]

Puerto Rico must be independent we don't need America

[amadovazquez]

Bullshit, 🧐we want to stay ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO, NO STATEHOOD...WE ARE NOT FOR SALE🧐

[Happylife-hdky]

We are treated like scum I'm Puerto Rica I was dishonored by the military cause I had injury Sent to be homeless for years beaten by police and only given 5000 dollars compared to other cases It was worth million and decreased to food stamp rewards maybe cause we are spanish and they treat us like South America not recognizing our relations

[kaizo_tv]

Puerto Rico has always voted for Statehood.

[louisbourbon]

"Just 55% of Puerto Rican voters?" 😂 Hell, that's more than most US election turnout! They've voted multiple times for statehood. What's the magical threshold that we'll finally accept?

[rebeccaromero]

After reading and researching OUR history, ¡quiero independencia pa Puerto Rico!

[TheJking]

Independence. Statehood will be virtually impossible to get ratified.

[Roberto-Antonio]

I believe the only real solution for Puerto Rico is as a Sovereign and Independent Nation. We are not North Americans, we are part of the Fabric of Latin America. We have been a US Colonial Possession (property) since 1898 and American Citizens since 1917, all of which unfortunately has resulted in nearly 50% of the Islands population Forced to live the American Dream in Poverty. Statehood comes with consequences and will only make matters worse for the people of Puerto Rico. No one will deny the fact that Statehood would be a major economic boost for the Island, but history shows us that Statehood has been nothing short of a Negative Experience for the Native American, Native Alaskan and the Native Hawaiian. To be truly accepted as an American, you would have to fully assimilate yourself into American Culture. The old saying " Remember when the Italian was Black" was real. Italian Americans were treated badly in the US up until they stopped speaking the Italian language, this is when Italian Americans were able to be fully accepted and crossover/pass as WHITE Anglo Saxon Americans. Puerto Rican's love being Boricuas more than anything else! PR has its own Identity, Flag, National Anthem, Olympic and FIFA World Cup Teams, History, Culture, Language, Customs, Heritage and Traditions. Everything that Identifies us as a distinct Nationality from that of the US. When PR competes against the US, I'm sure you won't find one Statehood supporter wearing a USA Jersey while cheering USA USA USA! Something I believe is hypocritical of all of them. Statehood supporters are only looking for the American Economic Quick Fix to all the problems in PR from the very same people 🇺🇸 who are at the Root Cause to all the problems in PR! That's like asking your Executioner for a Cure.. Bad Idea!!!
One only needs to look deeper into the Hawaiian Experience since 1959, the year Hawaii was granted Statehood. Keep in mind No former US Territory was ever denied Statehood until it was overpopulated by White Anglo Saxons. Today's Native Hawaiian's are a minority in their own homeland, they're number 1 living in Homelessness and in Poverty, Hawaiian's lost Ancestral Lands, Hawaii became unaffordable to Native Hawaiian's, they're number 1 with Incarceration Rates, Hawaiian's can barely Speak, Read or Write in their native language, Hawaii was transformed into a Rich Man's playground for White Americans, Japanese, Chinese and Filipinos. Today Hawaiian's are in a struggle to regain their Sovereignty and Independence back from the US who illegally annexed the Islands from the Kingdom of Hawai'i in 1898.
So after knowing America's history, the people of Puerto Rico would have to be fools to believe the Puerto Rican experience will be different. It's time for the people of Puerto Rico to believe in their own ability to Self Govern in tbe best interest of the Puerto Rican people, and totally disregard the myth that PR can't survive without continuously breast feeding on Lady Liberty while the US floods our Island with Food Stamps. How is it possible that PR is an Island with 3.2 million supposedly US Citizens for over 100+ years, and yet outside of the San Juan Metropolitan area PR looks like a 3rd. World Country? You can't even tell the difference between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic! Since 1898 PR has been purposely Federally Underfunded by the United States Government. Puerto Rico is larger than 22 States and yet only receives but a fraction of what the poorest State Mississippi receives in Federal Funding. It's no wonder why so many Puerto Rican's have been Forced to Migrate to the US mainland in search of greater opportunities, as if we were immigrants from a foreign country. Statehood does not equal Equality for our people, Colonialism and Statehood lead to the same historical results. Distinction of a People and it's Culture. Gentrification is real and currently hard at work in Puerto Rico. The US to this day continues to be known as one of the most racist countries in the world, it doesn't matter how many slogans the US uses to promote the US as the Home of the Free and the Land of the Brave.
People from across the Globe have and continue fighting for their Identity & Independence from their Colonizers, yet I don't understand why we have to be the only Pendejos sucking up to Uncle Sam. How many times do the people of PR have to continue knocking on door begging the US to let us into the Union, before we start to demand respect and start taking a look at the most obvious alternative to our dilemma? Independence!
Colonialism is Slavery, Free Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 Libre!!! I support the H.R. 2070 "Puerto Rico Self - Determination Act of 2021"

[tenorhawk]

Puerto Rican they are living from New York city para fuera, now is time from Dominican and Mexican

[luisgallardo]

Independencia Puñeta! Que viva Pedro Albizu Campos!

[ladyblutshewrote]

I want Puerto Rico to be independence. Puñeta

[glorytojesuschrist]

The money comes from Puerto Ricans remaining in limbo. The fact that my people put up with this insult year after year shows they are a lost and confused people. When America says jump my people say "how high?" It's sad.

[Wolfkin]

From my experience, growing up Puerto Rican in America. Most Americans don't think we're American anyway. They don't know our history or anything. We're treated like immigrants even when we're born in America. So what now? Is statehood going to change that? Give us our rights and history back? Will schools start teaching about what happened to our ancestors and give credit for everything we did? The wars? The lives lost? Will Puerto Rico finally get real help when hit by hurricanes and earthquakes? Will anything change?

[jlm]

Independence for PR!!!! Statehood will never happen and never should!!!!

[Thomas-Bradley]

Why on earth would they want to be independent when many of their brethren in Central America would walk thousands of miles, risking their lives just to seek refuge in America whilst Puerto Ricans simply need to vote to become an American?