When Puerto Rico is referred to as a \u201ccommonwealth\u201d the term obscures the true meaning of its current political status. <\/p>\n\n\n
We use \u201ccommonwealth\u201d as a legal designation for states like Massachusetts, Kentucky, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. In any New England state, you can vote for president. In Puerto Rico, you can\u2019t. This facade has served to disguise the Island\u2019s undemocratic and unequal relationship with the U.S. <\/p>\n\n\n
\u201cFor too long, many have believed the fiction that Puerto Rico can somehow have the best of both worlds under the commonwealth status (local autonomy with the full benefits of American citizenship),\u201d said retiring U.S. Congressman Jose Serrano (D-NY). \u201cThis fiction papered over what we have known all along, Puerto Rico has been a colony of the United States, treated unfairly and unequally.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n
A non-binding, referendum held last month sought to end this by asking the 3.2 million American citizens on the Island: \u201cShould Puerto Rico be immediately admitted into the Union as a state?\u201d 53-percent of voters answered yes, according to the Puerto Rico State Elections Commission. <\/p>\n\n\n
\u201cPuerto Rico voted for statehood fair and square,\u201d said statehood advocate and Puerto Rico Democratic Party Chair Charlie Rodriguez. \u201cCongress must support the will of the people of Puerto Rico. America cannot demand democracy abroad if it ignores the plebiscite results and denies its citizens (in Puerto Rico) the equal rights that only statehood can provide.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n
Congress should accept or reject Puerto Rico\u2019s statehood petition in writing. Tell us why we should begin to fully integrate (notice I did not say assimilate) the Island into the Union. Or tell us why you are rejecting this plea for equality. <\/p>\n\n\n
A yes still needs a presidential signature to become law. And a no might provoke a crisis to force a solution similar to the nonviolent protests that drove former Governor Ricardo Rossello from office. The present territorial relationship is outdated, unequal, and undemocratic.<\/p>\n\n\n
But a status plebiscite doesn\u2019t automatically trip a switch that converts a territory into a state. Congress must respond because Article 4 of the Constitution vests the legislative branch with oversight of all American territories<\/p>\n\n\n
\u201cNew states may be admitted by the Congress into this union . . . . The Congress shall have the power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n
The unequal nature of Commonwealth <\/em>status allows Congress to unilaterally impose laws on the Island without consultation. In the past, they have canceled tax breaks for drug companies to create jobs, banned Puerto Rico from seeking federal Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection, and permitted the federal government to treat Puerto Rico differently (usually worse) than a state in the allocation of federal funds for programs like Social Security disability and Medicaid.<\/p>\n\n\n Almost half of Puerto Rico\u2019s residents (1.4 million people) receive health coverage through Medicaid, according to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities. <\/p>\n\n\n \u201cPuerto Rico\u2019s Medicaid program differs significantly from state Medicaid programs,\u201d said Judith Solomon, a Senior Fellow at the Center. \u201cIt is much harder for Puerto Rico to ensure its residents can get the health care they need because states receive open-ended federal funds. Puerto Rico receives only a fixed block grant that does not come close to covering the health care costs of its Medicaid enrollees.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n The question of Puerto Rico\u2019s permanent status does not need another study, presidential task force, congressional hearing, or constitutional assembly. <\/p>\n\n\n Congress needs to accept or reject Puerto Rico\u2019s statehood petition.<\/p>\n\n\n Gene Roman works as a freelance reporter out of NYC. His work has appeared in the NY Daily News, National Catholic Reporter, and America Magazine. He is the proud and grateful son of Puerto Rican parents from Arecibo and Ponce.<\/p>\n\n\n Publisher\u2019s Note: The views, opinions, positions, or strategies expressed by the author are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or positions of the CTLN.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n If you have an idea for an Opinion-Editorial piece, please send your ideas to Info@LatinoNewsNetwork.com for consideration.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When Puerto Rico is referred to as a \u201ccommonwealth\u201d the term obscures the true meaning of its current political status. 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