Web Drop-In #4

Denise Radaker

SLM 521

Puerto Rico, The Political Debate

Puerto Rico, although many believe it to be a Spanish-speaking country, is a territory of the United States. Its official title is a commonwealth of the United States. Being a commonwealth, the citizens have U.S. citizenship, but cannot exercise all the rights and privileges of a U.S. citizen in a state of the union. They lack some of the simple rights that we as ‘mainland U.S.’ citizens take for granted. Over the years there have been several elections in Puerto Rico to change their status from commonwealth to a state or an independent country. Each time the result was that the majority of the people in Puerto Rico want to remain a commonwealth. Take a moment to look at the general information about Puerto Rico first, in the CIA Factbook. (Link below)

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/rq.html

Now, take a look at each site advocating the different possibilities for the political future of Puerto Rico. Complete the worksheet as you view these sites.

Pro-Commonwealth:

http://www.puertoricousa.com/english/ppd.htm

http://www.puertoricousa.com/english/history.htm

Pro-Statehood:

http://www.puertorico-herald.org/issues/vol2n26/CouncilLaunch-en.shtml

http://www.prstatehood.com/home/index.asp

Pro-Independence:

http://www.independencia.net/ingles/cb_align_political_status.html

http://www.independencia.net/ingles/welcome.html

Assignment:

1. Complete the worksheet to gather information about each political stand.

2. Write a two-page essay in which you give:

ü the advantages and disadvantages for all three political possibilities

ü your opinion about the solution backed by facts or information from the sites to support your opinion

3. Turn in your essay via Digital Dropbox or on paper to the professor.

4. Be prepared to support your stand on this political issue for an in-class debate on Friday.

5. All due by Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. EST.

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Nombre: ______________________________________ Fecha: ___________________________

Puerto Rico , The Political Debate Professor Radaker

To help you understand the rights and privileges, and advantages and disadvantages to each situation, complete this worksheet.

Pro- Statehood:

Rights of Citizens:

Advantages for Citizens:

Disadvantages for Citizens:

Advantages for the United States:

Disadvantages for the United States:

Pro- Independence:

Rights of Citizens:

Advantages for Citizens:

Disadvantages for Citizens:

Advantages for the United States:

Disadvantages for the United States

Pro- Commonwealth:

Rights of Citizens:

Advantages for Citizens:

Disadvantages for Citizens:

Advantages for the United States:

Disadvantages for the United States

Now take the information that you have and present the advantages and disadvantages for each possibility and then form an opinion about the best situation for the citizens of Puerto Rico and the best situation for the United States government. Write a two-page essay explaining your opinion and use information from your research to support your stand. Submit the essay to the Digital Dropbox or in class Wed. Be prepared to support your opinion in a class debate on Friday.