A new rabbit hole....

"So that is the new rabbit hole I was looking down. What are we doing? Who are we protecting or aiding? Territory, protectorate or state?"

Okay kids. We are about to go down a whole new rabbit hole. Why? To find out why we have allegiance to Guam and/or Puerto Rico. I know - they both have delegates to our House of Representatives. But what are they? They are not states. Are they territories of the United States? Maybe. And maybe they are protectorates. Or maybe they are both protectorates and territories.

If you read the definitions of territory and protectorate, it does not get much clearer. In the definition, protectorate is a small colony which is "protected" by a larger nation. Protected how? By force? Kind of like we said we would protect Guam. But is Guam a protectorate or a territory? Good question. They have a delegate in our House of Representative. So that is like a territory. But we protect Guam like we do a protectorate. Hmm.

How do I know about protectorates? I lived on one. For a year and a half. Until Okinawa became part of Japan, it was a protectorate of the United States. But no longer. It is fully integrated into the country of Japan. Not an easy transition however - some on Okinawa wanted to remain a part of the Ryukyu Islands. But - in 1972 it became a part of Japan.

Guam however, is still a territory or protectorate of the United States. What does that mean? We are all in for the defense of Guam. That means Anderson AFB and their very large Navy base. We will PROTECT Guam from nuclear attack from the Norks. Does that make Guam a protectorate? Probably not, as it also has a delegate in our House of Representative. 

How would I fix this? No more territories or protectorates. Either cut them loose or make them states. Yes, I know - Puerto Rico is broke and bankrupt. But warts and all, they are part of us. Same with Guam, and all the other minor territories. Cut them loose, or make them a part of us. Sorry - that is the way I feel. Living on Okinawa as a protectorate really sucked. You really did know where you were. I would have much preferred it was part of Japan, the Ryukyu's, or the USA when I was there.

If the Norks attack Guam, will we protect them? Yes. Will be come to the aid of Puerto Rico after the hurricane? Yes again. Will we treat Guam or Puerto Rico any different than one of our continental United States, Hawaii or Alaska? Not a bit. So, what is the solution? Make them states, 51 and 52.. Make them a part of the USA. In know, I know - they all have warts and bruises. But many states we have incorporated also did.

So, that is the new rabbit hole I was looking down. What are we doing? Who are we protecting or aiding? Territory, protectorate or state? To make things easy, let's make them all a state. Why do I like easy? Because it is easy. And more important - it might be the right thing to do.