Replies

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. ;-)

"HOWEVER, if PR voted to become a state, I would welcome you with open arms, especially your sisters. ;-)"

Thanks for that, really. I would just like to add:

Has it occured to anybody that the reason for our less than desirable demographics might be because the current system, ELA or commonwealth is broken? A system designed during the FDR/Truman era. If it ever worked at all.

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.

Clemenza, Puerto Ricans themselves are a big mixture of intermarriage. I've known Puerto Ricans who will say they're Puerto Rican, and then later tell you they are "half-this (European) and half-that" with a "little bit of this" and "a little bit of that."

But all that is beside the point. I'm against statehood, too.