The orphan named Puerto Rico

"Since we can't divorce a territory, and nobody would buy it (heck, I don't know if we could give it away), we are stuck with it. Another deep blue bastion of socialism, just looking to drive our national debt deeper into the muck."

A standing joke I would often hear about Puerto Rico went this way - "If not for some very good rum, why do we need Puerto Rico?" Well, it recently gave us that Rhodes Scholar named AOC. Actually, this island territory, which belongs to us, really offers very little. It has belonged to us since we won it (along with the PI, Guam and Cuba) as spoils of victory after the Spanish/American War. We then allowed Cuba and the PI become independent countries (big mistake), and kept Guam and Puerto Rico as protectorates. In 1917, both Guam and Puerto Rico became territories of the United States.

Guam was a good add. Great location for a huge Air Force Base (Anderson). Great strategic location to thwart the newly expanding "Blue Navy" Chinese. But Puerto Rico? It is an orphan who nobody wants. Twice in recent history, Puerto Rico has voted to become a state. Big whoop. As a territory, they have not done well. Deep, deep blue with all the problems that go along with it. Their hand is always out, looking for more. Any chance of giving this orphan back to the Spanish? 

The Democrats love this place. Kindred spirits. Yesterday, there was a supplemental relief bill to help with post hurricane recovery. The Democrats voted it down, as it did not contain enough money. Who got the blame? Trump. Who got the blame for Hurricane Maria which all but wiped this island off the Caribbean? God? No, Trump.

Let's face facts. Puerto Rico only wants to be a state because they would get a better location to grab on to one of Uncle Sam's financial teats. This territory is dirt poor, more problems than Carter's has pills, and in dire need of a Sugar Daddy. In other words, it is a money trap. 

Just think how history would have changed if we had kept Cuba and dealt Puerto Rico. The 1961 Cuban Missile Crisis would have never happened. Cuba might be our 51st state right now, just spitting distance from the Florida Keys. Like it said, we made the right decision on the PI and Guam. I just wish we had switched the Cuba/Puerto Rico decision.

Where do we go from here? Have no idea. Since we can't divorce a territory, and nobody would buy it (heck, I don't know if we could give it away), we are stuck with it. Another deep blue bastion of socialism, just looking to drive our national debt deeper into the muck. If I am wrong on this, please let me know.