Should Puerto Rico be allowed Statehood?

If you actually look at the results of the first vote there was no clear overwhelming majority who voted No. And only those folks who voted No were then required to answer the second question. Then you divide those voters into 3rd's since they were ask to select between 3 options.That is why congress did not act on this last referendum. So I'm not sure how you come to the conclusion the referendum was rigged in favor of statehood? The only thing wrong about this referendum is that it was to confusing for many. Do you know what an Enhanced Commonwealth looks like?

 

No, I don't know of a description of enhanced commonwealth. It sounds like it was made up.

My thinking on it being rigged is because when the results of the referendum was publicized, it was presented as the first time the majority selects statehood, which was technically true if you only count those who voted on the second question, which was what was released to the press. That's why the referendum was designed the way it was (why else would you design it this way-rather than just a straight list of options?), to create results in which majority statehood results could be claimed, even though that wasn't really the case. The Puerto Rican elites who want statehood are not above trickery to make the case to Congress.

 

I agree with you on how the media incorrectly portrayed the results but the referendum itself was not rigged in favor of statehood. I believe in keeping things simple, and the next referendum should only ask one simple question, and that is "do you want Puerto Rico to become a state?" and then go from there. But congress is expecting an overwhelming majority to vote for state before they will even consider acting on PR's wishes. If you want more info on an Enhanced Commonwealth just search it in Google. This is why the PDP leaders told their voters not to vote Yes to keep PR a Commonwealth because the status quo does not go far enough.

 

Poverty. It wouldn't work to our advantage. In fact, even keeping them as a territory is a net loss. We should give them independence.

 

"Poverty. It wouldn't work to our advantage. In fact, even keeping them as a territory is a net loss. We should give them independence. "

by this criteria the entire southern US should be kicked out of the union.

 

PR is a Hispanic culture and that is never a good thing unless you want to party.

 

I've thought about this for some time.

Alaska and Hawaii were territories just like Puerto Rico is and they are certainly further away.

I don't care about the predominance of one party over another. I just seems to me that, if they have all the benefits of being Americans, why should they not have the same responsibilities?

 

They are already in the union, at the force of gun the last time that happened. And also, poverty didn't matter to the national government then. They were not paying out billions for anti poverty programs. Now they are, so why wouldn't the fact that it would cost a lot of money to support Puerto Rico as a state be a good enough reason to not grant them statehood?

 

A kind of reluctant yes. They get a good deal of benefits, but don't pay federal taxes - so allowing statehood would rectify that much.

I find the objections on political grounds to be just sad.

 

What is "enhanced Commonwealth" status?

Most importantly, it is not the status quo. "Enhanced Commonwealth" status, an option supported by the pro-Commonwealth party of Puerto Rico, is intended to be an improved version of the current status. It seeks to combine the "best of both worlds"-that is, the best features of both statehood and independence, without the burdens of each of those options. Enhanced Commonwealth would include: an end to "territorial" status (the Territorial Clause would no longer apply); permanent union between Puerto Rico and the United States; a permanent guarantee of U.S. citizenship for persons born in Puerto Rico; federal benefits without federal income taxes; a power of the Puerto Rico legislature to enter into international treaties, as if it were an independent country; and a power of the Puerto Rico legislature to exercise a selective veto over federal laws. Under enhanced Commonwealth status, Puerto Rico and the United States would share sovereignty, as Congress does with the states. However, Puerto Rico's special powers would give it greater sovereignty than a state, while U.S. citizens residing in Puerto Rico would still have no representation at the federal level. It is unlikely that Congress would, or even could, approve such a status.

http://www.letpuertoricodecide.com/status.php

 

You gotta love inaccurate stereotypes.

 

Some of the South, yes. But then again, you have Texas, which provides a lot of revenue from petroleum.

Louisiana is one of the poorest states in the country, but it has ports that make up for it in terms of usefulness.

Basically, if the Gulf of Mexico didn't have oil, then I'd agree, but it does, so the South is of strategic importance.

Granted, they did recently discover evidence of oil around Puerto Rico, so that could change things in terms of cost-benefit analysis.

 

I don't see why they shouldn't.

 

They just need to declare independence. I'm sure we could set up a program where Puerto Rico citizens could still travel freely to the mainland, but they need to crap or get off the pot already.

 

Does Puerto Rico want to become a State ? I was in the Military with Marines from there!

 

I would be fine with it so long as they meet the constitutional requirements for statehood.

I admit I do not know much about the issue but from what I understand it is unlikely to happen. The people of Puerto Rico are smart enough to keep a good thing going. Which means as a territory they get all of the protection and security of being Americans with a lot less taxation.

Most residents of the island are reportedly happy with that status quo and do not support statehood. At least that was the consensus last time I checked or heard anything about it.

 

I oppose it. Not because I have anything against PR, but because it is in their best interest not to become a state. If there were a way to make my state not a state, I'd do that too even if I had to be all Buggs Bunny and take a saw to a map

 

Puerto Ricans are all crazy as hell and shouldn't be allowed to even visit mainland America.

 

Just read an article somewhere that the governor is asking citizens to provide input as to how to improve the economy. It'll be interesting to see what he gets - AND what is done about it!!!

 

If PR wants statehood, great. It will mean two more Democratic votes in the Senate and about seven more in the House. This way we have a better chance at having a Congress that works with the President and put an end to unpatriotic Republican obstructionism.

 

"You gotta love inaccurate stereotypes" Um not really. there isn't a viable successful Hispanic country on the planet.

 

Might as well tax them. They get all the benefits now without the cost.

Although that means two more socialist senators...hmmm...

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What do you like that the democrats have planned for people? Higher taxes and more spending? When will it be enough?

 

We had higher taxes under Clinton and more job growth and prosperity.


By contrast, under Bush we had lower taxes and the Great Recession with two unnecessary wars, deaths, Orwellian laws, and domestic troubles.

 

Yes, if the people wish to be part of the USA and the USA will accept them, then they should be a part of the Union

 

does the American south contribute to the US economy? yes it does but the net net is the south is a drain on the US economy.

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oh yeah... I see no one has mentioned a successful Hispanic country yet.