Esta página no está disponible en español. READER FORUM The Star-Ledger Newark, NJ Hurdles To Statehood November 23, 2002 Copyright © 2002 The Star-Ledger Newark, NJ. All rights reserved.  Kenneth McClintock's Nov. 8 op-ed piece supporting statehood for Puerto Rico confused me. He did not mention that in 1998 a nonbinding vote found that Puerto Ricans opposed statehood. Is McClintock advocating that Congress make Puerto Rico a state regardless of the views of the majority? Puerto Rico receives $9 billion from various federal sources that would be difficult to replace if it became a state. And if Puerto Rico obtained statehood, would our military have the right to use Vieques Island for bombing practice as it does with sites in other states? I would welcome Puerto Rico as a state if the majority of its 3.6 million residents favored the move. - Rachel and Bill Funcheon, Watchung Self-Determination Legislation | Puerto Rico Herald Home Newsstand | Puerto Rico | U.S. Government | Archives Search | Mailing List | Contact Us | Feedback