Instigator / Pro
14
1551
rating
26
debates
57.69%
won
Topic
#1672

Puerto Rico should become a state of the United States of America

Status
Finished

The debate is finished. The distribution of the voting points and the winner are presented below.

Winner & statistics
Better arguments
6
0
Better sources
4
0
Better legibility
2
2
Better conduct
2
1

After 2 votes and with 11 points ahead, the winner is...

PoliceSheep
Parameters
Publication date
Last updated date
Type
Standard
Number of rounds
2
Time for argument
One week
Max argument characters
30,000
Voting period
Two weeks
Point system
Multiple criterions
Voting system
Open
Contender / Con
3
1350
rating
29
debates
20.69%
won
Description

Puerto Rico should become a state of the United States of America.

Round 1
Pro
#1
Motion: Puerto Rico should become a state of the United States of America

Preamble

I am proud to take the PRO position for this debate and I thank my opponent for accepting this debate. I look forward to CON's arguments.

Burdon of Proof:

PRO has the burden of proof to provide evidence that Puerto Rico should become the 51st state of the United States of America and CON has the burden to either this prove my evidence and claims or to give evidence and reason often as to why Puerto Rico should not be a state or both. 

Definitions

Puerto Rico an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the northeast Caribbean Sea, approximately 1,000 miles (1,600 km) southeast of Miami, Florida. [1]

become a state of the United States of America is defined as to be admitted into the Union under Article 4, Clause 1 of the United States Constitution [2] with 
all necessary amendments to the Constitution and the unanimous consent of all other existing states to allow this as required to make Puerto Rico a co-equal state of the United States of America. [3]

Congressional Representatives

In its current position, Puerto Rico lacks full congressional representation with them having a non-voting 'resident commissioner' in the House of Representatives and absolutely no senate representation. [4] The resident commissioner has absolutely no rights with them turning up and speaking being the maximum they are allowed to do.

This is taking away the rights of 3.68 million Americans to their votes in Congress. Puerto Rico has a population higher than that of 22 of the 50 current states, so a lack of people is no excuse for this undemocratic system. [5]  It also has a higher GDP than 14 other states. [6]

Presidential Elections
As Puerto Rico is not a state, it does not have any electoral votes meaning citizens cannot vote for their President, Head of State and Commander-in-Chief who will be responsible for their defence. This is an appealing state of affairs when US citizens (as they were made under the Jones–Shafroth Act 1917 [7]) are deprived of their most basic right - the right to vote.

Conclusion
It is a disgrace that the USA could not give franchise and the true rights Puerto Rico deserves. I urge you all to stand in solidarity with the people of Puerto Rico and vote PRO!

Con
#2
Sorry for the late response.

Adding Puerto Rico as the 51st state wouldn't be a good idea and for many reasons. The US is already in shambles as of 2019 thanks to an unethical and biased government. Even though Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory, history gives the perfect examples to why it shouldn't become the 51st state. 

Case in Point: Just look at how the US treated PR after a category 5 hurricane (Maria) hit the island a few years ago. The US basically left them for dead so to speak despite the fact that government aid could've been sent immediately after the storm passed. If I'm not mistaken, hurricane Irma hit PR the same year and the island got the same bad results from dealing with the US.

With all of that aside, the US has funded a forced sterilization program among the women of Puerto Rico many decades ago. The keyword to remember is (Forced).

It all comes down to greed & dominance. The US would love to have full control over the island's natural resources. This point has been made many different times throughout the world when dealing with western occupiers. 

In other words, none of the countries of the western occupiers could survive without the Caribbean countries or African continent and there's a ton of proof to back my claim......From a political, ethical, moral or capitalistic standpoint...the US should leave Puerto Rico alone.
Round 2
Pro
#3
Thank you for you're response - however, I do believe you have assisted my case more than opposed it!

Anyway, let's get into the rebuttals.

Support after hurricanes

Just look at how the US treated PR after a category 5 hurricane (Maria) hit the island a few years ago. The US basically left them for dead so to speak despite the fact that government aid could've been sent immediately after the storm passed. If I'm not mistaken, hurricane Irma hit PR the same year and the island got the same bad results from dealing with the US.
The US did indeed abandon PR. Why? Because they don't have a vote in Presidential elections. Trump didn't care about them because he didn't need to get their vote. Becoming a state would change this.

Forced Sterilisation
US has funded a forced sterilization program among the women of Puerto Rico many decades ago
This finished in the 1970s, and I fail to see why that should prohibit statehood. [8] Even if relevant, the same argument would apply. If PR had voting representitives, they could elect those who would vote down these measures.

Resources
It all comes down to greed & dominance. The US would love to have full control over the island's natural resources. This point has been made many different times throughout the world when dealing with western occupiers. 
Legally, the US already has full control over the island's natural resources, therefore this is not a credible point. [1]

Sources
Con
#4
My opponent's actual statements proves exactly why PR shouldn't become the 51st state. Your Alt-Right way of thinking is downright ridiculous.

Yes, you can laugh and make light of PR's situation but it's the white race who's on borrowed time and we all are aware of it. Opioids, suicide, white-on-white crime, basic illnesses and simple dog licks are eradicating you by the thousands. 

This discussion was pointless, but just know that you are in your heaven right now so you better enjoy it because there isn't anything after this...Peace!

Source: Reality