I am not going to take it to the extreme where you have, I am against statehood for P.R because financially we would have to absorb their massive debt and they would become a welfare state which we don't need. P.R has nothing good going for them expect perhaps tourism, but their infrastructure and schools are in shambles. I don't how this compares to Obama and Hawaii.
Originally Posted by J.G Wentworth
It has to do with the way Hawaii got in as a state. It is very similar to Peurto Rico's situation on the turnout.
https://www.hawaii-nation.org/statehood.html
when Hawaii had its referendum. only 2 items were on the ballot.
statehood
territorial status
Independence was not on the ballot.
regarding obama, the territory of Hawaii had some dodgy laws relating to birth certificates.
the entire fiasco was not legal.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_status_of_Hawaii