Future of Puerto Rico

[muon2]

The issue of the flag seems to be overblown. In 1959 the flag was changed with the loss of the flag so many had fought and died for in WWII and Korea. For those soldiers that 48-star flag was the symbol that pulled them through. If we were to change to a 51-star flag, I see no more loss of investment by the country then it had in '59.

[muon2]

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On October 23, 2007, that Resources Committee unanimously approved a substitute bill of HR900, which establishes that before 2009, a first plebiscite will be held in which Puerto Ricans will be asked if they desire to maintain their territorial status, in a yes or no question. The bill states that should the No as the favored choice, either another plebiscite asking between statehood, independence or an associated republic, or a constitutional assembly would follow thereafter, by choice of the United States Federal Court of Puerto Rico. The bill is yet to be considered by the United States House of Representatives, waiting for enough votes to carry a debate. Several organizations in Puerto Rico, such as the Puerto Rico Lawyer's College, have pledged to lobby against it, in an effort to prevent the solution of the status issue.

I really hate how against finding a solution to this issue Puerto Rico appears to be.  I also hate how apathetic the U.S. Virgin Islands appear to be.  There's no discussion at all about whether they would like to be become a state or independent.  What's so appealing about being U.S. property?
In Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands it appears that the majority is in favor of statehood and while they would be a small state, I believe it is necessary that we find a solution to this problem once and for all.  I'm not sure what can be done about Samoa though.  They're too far from Hawaii or the Mariana Islands and too small to become a state.  Maybe we should just let them go?

Actually, Puerto Rico's support for statehood has consistently risen for the past few years. It is now well over 50%. The Pro-statehood party there just gained 48/68 of the "Senate" seats on the island, and the Governor's mansion.
We should probably chuck the Virgin islands in with Puerto Rico, as they're fairly close together. Samoa is an issue. We could ask Micronesia if they would like to be annexed, but that would be a foreign policy nightmare.

The small population and remote location are problems for Guam. Even with the addition of the Northern Marianas the population would be a little over half the population of WY. The issues of 2 Senators and 3 EV for a state that small would be a barrier for many. OTOH, it would be difficult to see it annexed to HI given the great distance to that state.