With Obamacare legislation and the immigration protests in Arizona, something important has slipped past the American people and is now up for vote in Congress.
Ever heard of HR 2499? It is otherwise known as the Puerto Rico Democracy Act. This resolution would require Puerto Ricans to hold a national referendum to decide if they want to remain a US commonwealth or … become the 51st state.
Yes, you read that right – a state. Here’s how it would work. The House passes this resolution. Then Puerto Rico holds a national referendum. The referendum would offer two choices: do you want the status quo or do you want to “pursue a different political status?” If the majority of Puerto Ricans vote to pursue a different status, then we go to round two. Here would be the three options:
1. “Independence: Puerto Rico should become fully independent from the United States;”
2. “Sovereignty in Association with the United States: Puerto Rico and the United States should form a political association between sovereign nations that will not be subject to the Territorial Clause of the United States Constitution;” and,
3. “Statehood: Puerto Rico should be admitted as a State of the Union.”
Notice that none of these options now offer the status quote .. something has gotta change. So if merely a plurality of Puerto Ricans then vote to become a state, then .. tada! .. we have a 51st state.
My guess? Many Puerto Ricans don’t really want their country to become a State. Residents of Puerto Rico don’t pay U.S. income taxes on the income earned in Puerto Rico. Why would they want to start? On the other hand … Puerto Rico is basically a welfare state. You would not believe the percentage of Food Stamp money is spent in Puerto Rico. If they become fully independent this money goes. Interesting situation.
Do we really have room for an additional star on the US flag?
If they have any sense they will vote to become independent like the other 50 states should be doing. Then they can print their own interest free currency and leave the bankers behind (like they would allow that).
The United States is not a government. It is a privately funded bankrupt corporation held in receivership by international banks. The Constitution does not apply to the corporation, or its “citizens”. And it will not apply in Peurto Rico if they vote to become members of the corporation as a “State”.
Easy choice for me, but I’m not there.
I think the States and the American taxpayers in those States have a right to vote on whether WE want a 51st State in OUR Union.
I vote no.
Comments…..
“Ever heard of HR 2499? It is otherwise known as the Puerto Rico Democracy Act. This resolution would require Puerto Ricans to hold a national referendum to decide if they want to remain a US commonwealth or … become the 51st state.â€
Hmmm, shouldn’t the 50 states first have a referendum opportunity to see if the they want Puerto Rico to be the 51st state? What is the social and economic impact of this happening? Can we afford it? Who benefits?
Moocher races always will mooch
God’s Creation – that’s a great point! Â I think under equal protection, all 50 states should be offered the same option, to “pursue a different political status.” Â Then let’s hope folks are smart enough to choose “independence.” Â Wait, OK, now I see the flaw in the plan. Â Back to square one.
I saw this last night on Glenn Beck – you know, that “crazy right wing seditionist” who carried out the “smear campaign” against Van Jones, going so far as to use the vile chicanery of playing video and audio clips of Jones himself? Yeah…the same lunatic who thought it was odd that former White House Communications Director, Annita Dun, claimed that Mao Tse Tung was one of her favorite political philosophers…
So, this probably isn’t a big deal…
I mean Beck is insane, right?
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If we can’t secure the Mexican Border can you imagine the influx of millions of undesireables from all over the Carribean and the rest of the world who will make their way to Puerto Rico to become a citizen overnight?
The idea for the 50 States to hold a referendum on Puerto Rico is the right idea. Hopefully, Puerto Rico will not get their act together before November, and we can sweep these crazy bastards from Congress.
Does Al-Quaida have a terror plan for DC? JUST ASKING 🙂
Gentlemen,
PR has been a territory(Commonwealth) of the US since 1898 when we took it from Spain and Puerto Ricans have been US citizens since 1917. They are not a separate country. Most PR’s like the status quo. They are US citizens, yet they can run their own affairs without too much interference from Washington. Independence makes zero sense (Why give up US citizenship and the benefits that come with it. Plus, the Navy has a military base there.) and statehood would eliminate all of the tax breaks that corporations get by having operations there. Plus, there is the distinct Spanish culture that some of you have a problem with. If they did have only two choices (Independence or Statehood) though, most PR’s would choose statehood.
As for “Caribbean undesirables” moving to PR, I am sure it is already happening and since PR is part of the US, any children born there are US citizens. Just my 0.02$
It will be interesting to see what happens though.
Statehood would allow them to vote for President, which they cannot now do. PR could swing close elections and put the Socialist in the White House again. Without PR, Obama could never get elected again.
I am a Puertorican like many off you will not like me to be ;because the fact is i dont look like the average puertorican; Every day people ask me”where you from”and after a good five minutes of good guessing i let their know am a puertorican,and tell them i personally dont like the idea off statehood because us puertorican like to own our houses land and all the rest off the stuff without paying taxes or a mortgage until we drop dead like other nations do.