Puerto Rico has been a commonwealth of the United State since 1952. However, islanders are sharply divided by their ideas tm hopes for the future. Some desire to see Puerto Rico become the 51st state of the Union, others advocate independence, and still other: wish to maintain the status quo. Currently, the political party that espouses preservation of the commonwealth enjoys a popular edge ever the party that champions statehood, while around five percent of the populace favors full independence.   The island's commonwealth status accords its inhabitants U.S citizenship, but Puerto Ricans do not participate in presidential elections nor do they pay federal income taxes. The U.S. government does, however, manage the island's foreign affairs, provide for its defense, and pay for public assistance. Many Puerto Ricans feel an intense loyalty to the United States. Jose Vargas-Vidot served in the U.S. Navy and attributes the island's relative prosperity to its commonwealth status. “If Puerto Rico ever became independent, I'd move to the U.S. This place would be bust in a minute-no more social security, no more checks every month.”   Even so, a sense of nationalism runs high for many Puerto Ricans. Islanders take tremendous pride when one of their own achieves international recognition. In 2001, for example, a Puerto Rican won the Miss Universe title for the fourth time. The next day, professional boxer Felix “Tito” Trinidad won a world middleweight boxing championship, Each victory brought jubilation in the streets and flag-waving-of the Puerto Rican flag, that is-outside offices and homes. 　In a San Juan bar, Jacobo Moraes sings traditional songs with his friends and ponders the island's future over a bottle of rum. “What I feel is Puerto Rican first and Puerto Ricans always but what about the welfare cheeks? Inside, all Puerto Ricans feel very nationalistic about their island, even if they don't vote that way.” One government official regards such proclamations of patriotism with a degree of cynicism. “That's why we close the bars on election day,” he says. “Otherwise, the whole country would vote for independence.”