Funny. "Long considered independent" by whom? NPR? A major element of the decision is that this idea of independence has proven so unworkable, the independence a goal that proved incompatible with the US system.

To trumpet the "long considered independent" line is like saying the Earth has been long considered the center of the solar system when it just didn't fit observation.

I'm sorry the NPR crowd was misinformed and not up to speed. That's what their considerations really demonstrated.