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.
“Would be interested to hear your reasoning.”
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My opinion is simply one of selfishness, as I am very happy with my life here. If America was the country that it was 25 years ago, I might feel different. If and when America stops its decent into Hell, which will not happen in my short life, I might be all for it. At this time, however, I will not be part of the Obamination.
Do not mistake my opinion as unpatriotic. I am as American as anyone, going back to my great great great uncle, Samuel Wilson, war of 1812, America’s Uncle Sam.
As I always say, I did not leave America, America has left me.
I appreciate your story of his valor.
Actually, the fact that they are an independent country does not mean they can’t be granted statehood in the USA: Vermont and Texas were both independent countries until the point when the joined the Union.
Independent countries can be granted statehood by treaty and act of Congress as happened in those cases.
Of course, I see no evidence the Philippines wish to become the 51st state, and I’m not sure how prudent it would be since we would pick up the MILF and Abu Sayyaf insurgencies.
The time for this is long past. Interestingly when the Philippines were under U.S. control after the Spanish-American War, there was a Muslim uprising which General Blackjack Pershing put down (with tactics which included exploiting the Muslim horror of pork). After the rebellion was suppressed the Muslims in the Philippines were among the loudest advocates of pursuing statehood, since they decided that the First Amendment would give them a better deal then being in an independent majority Christian country without an explicit guarantee of religious freedom.
Ok Let`s swap northern and western NY State to secede to become a separate Republic and let the Philipines takes its place, cos pinoys can`t own guns but usn`s here ain`t never gonna tell anybody them governeners federalis and coumonuistas bout if`n we got guns or not.
Guns for no guns. Fair trade.
The Filipinos I’ve met are all very nice people, but I don’t think that is enough reason to admit them into the union. I can say hte same about all the Canadians I’ve met, and certainly their western provinces are closer to conservative thinking than just about any other group of people I’ve met outside the US.
They didn't kick us out. They got greedy and wanted to renegotiate a HUGE increase in lease payments at Clark and Subic Bay. We told them to pound sand. It cost them dearly in the end...
“But they are not Americans. Just allow them to be who they are and we can stay who we are. “
We sure aren’t staying who we are.
A lot of Americans aren’t Americans anymore.
And I’m not talking about recent immigrants.
Following ancient Rome’s example I see. Make everyone a citizen of America! That’ll show those dems.
No
No way
Puerto Rico also doesn't want to become a state, they have voted it down several times in the recent past.
Yeah, I'm sure they've since come to regret not having an American presence there. We're sort of a safety net to counterbalance the influence of China.
I've read that civilian airplanes landing in Manila are painted by Chi-com radars. And this was 20 years ago. That's no way to treat a neighbor.
Anyway, I think this idea is nuts. Nonetheless, it raises interesting possibilities. Such as: How do you think that China would feel if the USA admitted the P. as a state? Think of it: American territory leaping toward their mainland.
Google a map, see how close those two nations are. Really not far at all.
China would freak out and I cannot say I'd really blame them. ;)
Won’t happen because it doesn’t serve U.S. interests. You have seen the poverty and overwhelming corruption there right ? Nearly ever police station on the local level is in cahoots with the local criminal syndicates. And yes, this is based upon living there not as a tourist.
Cue Beach Boys guitar riff:
“Wish they all could be Filipina girls!”
Make them a State?.....these poor people have suffered enough. why add to their misery?
On one hand, Filipino’s are very conservative people.
On the other, the Philippines is a very poor country.
Why? What did they do to us?
I don't think the safety net was they're first "Oh Crap" thought. The loss of US$ for the lease and all the GI spending hit them in the pocket book HARD!!
This thread is good to discuss Philippine politics but not to entertain making them a state.
The Philippines has fought and worked long and hard to become a representative Republic.
From the Barangay counselor right up to President, they have a representative for the people.
There's no way a proud Filipino would give that up.
They go to other lands to earn money to send home, and a few still think US citizenship is a gold ticket, but by and large ... the Philippines are a strong and secure nation
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