Posted on 11/12/2013 5:35:37 PM PST by lee martell
For a couple of decades, there has been speculation and debate on making Puerto Rico into our 51st Amercian state. Puerto Rican citizens have been asked many times in various ways. Usually, the majority says "No". The P.R. voters seem comfortable with the status quo, one that sees Puerto Rico as a kind of hybrid, a Territory of the United States, one that does not have to pay taxes. A very cozy relationship. Some Puerto Ricans are against our form of government anyway, and always will be. These are people who put greater trust in a Government that operates on the Grab and Gobble theory of taking over the main institutions essential to a productive society. In other words, the Hugo Chavez Method of Benevolent Dictatorship. Many Americans would say the USA is already caught in that same sticky web of a pseudo-dictatorship with President Obama, some 'lovin' it' others not so much.
Now we have a historic moment, where the Philippines has been pummeled by one of the worst typhoons ever recorded in the history of the world. I'm glad we are sending the $25. million to help, along with some of our military. I know our military's prime job is not necessarily to behave as a proxy to FEMA, something Clinton used to do to excess. However, in the wake of unprecedented devastation, it is most certainly the right thing to do. More money is likely to be sent in the near future. We need to be prudent as a nation, and take advantage of this situation. I don't mean, I delight over the Philippine's suffering. absolutely not. But there will be suffering and chaos for quite some time ahead. It is inevitable. Their national recovery will be long term and must be spread over the multitudes of archipelagoes and unnamed island clusters.
This is exponentially worse than the nuclear meltdown in Japan, because almost every city and province has had its virtual face ripped off by that Storm of Storms. Why don't we welcome this nation into the fold? Why not indeed. The Philippinos I have met are as a majority hard working, bright, English speaking, very family oriented, largely Christian or Buddhist. Nobody's perfect, meaning of the Asian nations' I think the Philippine people are the most westernized, for better or worse. As Reagan said, "Trust but Verify". Another reason, look at the geography, look how close to Chinese owned islands they are. Keep in mind, this Philippine government is already considering inviting the Americans back to set us businesses, back to provide a strong buffer between them and Greedy China. Another reason, we all know the Dems and some misguided Rinos want the votes and the workers that open door amnesty is supposed to provide. Most thinking people know the Mexicans are probably going to be 80% Dem. I would think many philippinos would be open minded enough to consider both parties. These are ideas the average American President would already be chewing on. No, I don't expect President O to do this, I'm talking about his likely successor; President Fauxcohontas! I don't like her either, but she does crunch her numbers, out loud even.
Based on the 2010 census, this state would send 135 Members of Congress.
Is that REALLY a good idea?
Talk about this.
Don’t dismiss it out of hand.
America is currently fading fast. I believe we will rebound and reverse course before long, and adding an ally like the PI would to me, be smart. I believe the Philippines is a possibly strong ally and personally would support this idea.
It’s too late, but an interesting idea. I have a friend who was a law clerk for the Supreme Court in the Philippines. He views the post WWII leaders as idiots for giving up the chance to remain an American territory and possible a state later on like Hawaii. Manuel Quezon famously said “I would rather the Philippines be governed like hell by Filipinos than like heaven by the Americans.” Most Filipinos would agree that is what happened with a few exceptions like Ramon Magsasay
It’s too late, but an interesting idea. I have a friend who was a law clerk for the Supreme Court in the Philippines. He views the post WWII leaders as idiots for giving up the chance to remain an American territory and possible a state later on like Hawaii. Manuel Quezon famously said “I would rather the Philippines be governed like hell by Filipinos than like heaven by the Americans.” Most Filipinos would agree that is what happened with a few exceptions like Ramon Magsasay
Methinks there may be some folks in the ARMM, the area around sulu sea and Jolo that might not wanna’ go along.
Just sayin’ . . .
It would be apportioned differently than that and I don’t think the Muslim south wants to be a part of the USA, either. They’d only have 2 senators, just like California. Every FReeper that I talk to that lives there can’t say enough good things about the place and the people.
I agree with your friend. Quezon is now an idiot in my book.
That’s why I refuse to visit anymore. It breaks my heart to see so much lost potential. My husband is going with my folks next year. I hate being without him, but I just can’t do it.
3 different insurgencies, rampant corruption.
Pass.
Hey, what’s 35 million people added to the welfare roles. That’s just counting those below the poverty line using the metrics of the Phillipines. It could be 50-60 million. Just wonderful. Any other poverty stricken countries we can add to the American taxpayers bill.
The only problem with this is that southern Phillipines, island of Mindanao, is largely Muslim....and the Fillipinos have had problems with the Islamic Terrorists in the region. It would be devastating to bring in a state with a large Muslim population
Not a bad idea if you keep the Muslims out
Not a bad idea if you keep the Muslims out, and the tens of millions who would end up on the dole.
Yep. With nearly 100 million people, the Philippine congressional delegation would run the House and have enough electoral votes to name their own president.
I like the Philippines. I like their people. I wish them nothing but good and think we should do all possible to help them in their current tragedy.
But they are not Americans. Just allow them to be who they are and we can stay who we are.
I had a commander that was a Colonel F-4 driver that was Pilipino. Tough little bastard but he had a fighting spirit. Served in Vietnam as an F-4 driver and was known to volunteer for the tough assignments. He HATED communist North Vietnamese.
“It would be apportioned differently than that and I don’t think the Muslim south wants to be a part of the USA, either.”
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Muslim south? I think you overestimate their influence.
They have a very small autonomous region in the far west of Mindanao, as their presence goes back to the 15th century. I do not know if I have seen a single Muzie since moving here, but one of my “dogs in a manger” FR guys can’t wait for one to row his canoe all the way to Cebu and cut my head off, haha.
” I believe the Philippines is a possibly strong ally and personally would support this idea.”
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NO, NO, NO, and NO!
The ones that accuse you of “abandoning the good fight” here in the land of the big PX?
Hawaii too.
“The ones that accuse you of “abandoning the good fight””
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Yes, there are about four of them, but I have yet to have one explain how THEY are fighting the Obamination. All they can do is bark. I still do as much as any American, and that is VOTE.
Why not?
Would be interested to hear your reasoning.
I believe once we stop selling out American businesses, we’ll need to build up what we’ve been selling out now for the entire last generation.
A pairing up of America with the Philippines would be an interesting idea.
I’m not advocating it. But I’m not arguing against it yet either.
You seem to be in a unique position in this discussion. Take as a starting point, an America once again interesting in growing.
(in other words, we would have to stop building up China, and return to building up America)
If that happened, America would possibly be in need of more population.
Just saying...
Most of the ROK (South Korean) officers I worked with at I Corps had been with the two ROKA divisions we borrowed to help us in Vietnam. They had wild stories to tell about their adventures with the NVA and Viet Cong. LOL
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