Despite problems, Puerto Ricans deserve vote

It was in the early 1970s. Puerto Ricans on the island were living in the best of times. They had three options. They could remain as a commonwealth and be a part of the United States. They could choose to become an independent country. Or they could vote to become the 51st state of the Union.

If they chose to become a part of the United States as a state, there was one more step to take. The issue would have to be submitted to a vote in the United States Congress. The island voters were divided in three groups. The two largest split the vote. One group wanted Puerto Rico to remain a commonwealth, where they would participate in the Olympics as an independent nation and still have privileges as part of the United States.

The second majority group wanted Puerto Ricans to become an American state. They wanted the full benefits of statehood. They wanted to vote in American presidential elections. And they wanted the full rights of American citizens.

The third group — the minority party — led by Ruben Berrios, wanted full independence for Puerto Ricans. They wanted to be a truly independent nation.

Back then, two things had to happen before Puerto Ricans could determine their future. The Puerto Ricans had to vote decisively for one option, and then if they voted to become a state, Congress had to vote to approve their decision.

Nothing ever came out of it. Puerto Ricans were too evenly split. One year they voted for statehood. A year later they voted to remain as part of the commonwealth.

And nobody took the Berrios group seriously. They seldom got more than five percent of the vote.

Decades have passed and things have changed. Puerto Ricans, faced with an enormous deficit, voted decisively recently to become an American state, although voter turnout was low. This status would allow Puerto Ricans on the island as well as those living on the mainland to vote for Congress, and for president. In effect, they would become full American citizens.

But, this time the United States Congress wanted no part of it. Puerto Rico’s deficit is enormous and the American Congress is not willing to accept additional spending.

So, for the time being, things are not likely to change. When Congress would have considered granting statehood to Puerto Rico, the citizens of the island were not interested.

Now that Puerto Ricans want and need a hand from the United States, Congress is not in a mood to help.

Hopefully the day will soon come when Puerto Ricans and Congress will look at things through the same prism. Puerto Ricans are American citizens, and they deserve to be given a vote in United States elections.

Puerto Ricans, faced with an enormous deficit, voted decisively recently to become an American state, although voter turnout was low.

Guillermo Martinez