Statehood

I know statehood is still only a possibility, at this point, for Puerto Rico...and many years off, at best. And I know that the ballot itself had flaws in the way the two-part question for status quo, statehood, independence, or sovereign free association was presented. And I know the idea of joining the union as a state is a far more complicated issue than my mind wants it to be. But I'll just say it: I was really excited to see the outcome of Puerto Rico's vote.

I remember my first time reading through the history of 1800's America: And seeing the constantly, constantly, constantly evolving US flag...as state after state got added, and the stars had to be reconfigured in all sorts of ways. But even as a schoolkid, I thought those days of an expanding union were behind us. That, after Hawaii's addition in 1959, that was that.

So maybe it's the schoolkid in me, getting excited at this. A bit of youthful idealism in the idea of America. But I can't help but be excited at the possibility of Puerto Rico as the 51st state.