[cll]

Much of it sounds to what they said when the Italians started migrating to the U.S.

[Clemenza]

1. Italians were Europeans*, who intermarried after the second generation into the general population. Puerto Ricans have never done so in large numbers on the mainland. (*Not that race matters anymore, as seen by the high intermarriage rate of Filipinos, Chinese, and even Mexicans after two generations in the country. Just saying that, at the time (1920s), such issues DID matter. Nevertheless, the lack of intermarriage says something about the adaptability of PR's inhabitants to the U.S.).

2. The folks were right to be concerned about the assimilation of Poles, Italians, Jews, Hungarians, etc. into the U.S., which is why we passed strict immigration laws in the 1920s.

3. I myself have never really cared too much about the cultural/racial aspects of PR statehood (aside from the languague and education issues). I am MOST CONCERNED with the fact that too much of the population is dependent on transfer payments and government employment for its livelihood.

As I have said several times, I believe that PR would be better off maintaining commonwealth status, and that American would be better off with independence. HOWEVER, if PR voted to become a state, I would welcome you with open arms, especially your sisters. ;-)