Odd that our last civil war was also preceeded by years of the free state/slave state territorial games that are being recreated in the census, immigration reform, now statehood issues.
Odd that our last civil war was also preceeded by years of the free state/slave state territorial games that are being recreated in the census, immigration reform, now statehood issues.
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Yoe, I wondered if anyone else would pick up on this thought too. This is the very first thing that crossed my mind. It was the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, proposed by Congressman Stephen Douglas, and after three months of debate, passed by Congress and signed by President Pierce that created two new states, one ostensibly “free,” and one “slave.”
The part that really struck a cord in my memory, however, was the inclusion of the so-called “popular sovereignty” provision which caused both proslavery and antislavery forces to rush into Kansas in particular and apply full strength and pressure to gain decisions in their own favor — by groups such as the EMIGRANT AID COMPANY....Hmmmm... THe resulting border war between Kansas and Missouri was a precursor to the War Against States Rights (aka the “Civil War”).
Think about the parallels. Today, the Federal Government is not using slaves as the convenient “victims,” it’s “illegal aliens,” most of whom are Hispanics. If you oppose Illegal immigration you are a — “racist.” Just the same, if you now oppose Puerto Rican statehood you will be called a — “racist.” They are already in full “race-baiting” mode right now in Arizona — expect it to get MUCH worse.
If the PR Progressive Party follows the platform Glenn Beck pointed out on his TV program — THEIR 2008 party platform, then the “non-binding” vote that Congress may agree to tomorrow in HR 2499 (which includes 58 Republican co-sponsors — which is why I call them the STUPID party), then the vote in PeurtoRico will ask the people if they want to keep the “Status Quo?” If history holds, 60% will say NO — because about 60% ALTOGETHER want independence, statehood or modified commonwealth, rather than the current “status quo” commonwealth. With the “status quo” removed, generally the people will choose statehood over the other 2 choices by a 3-2 margin. Then, the Progressives who lead Peurto Rico will draft their Constitution (wanna bet it’s already written?), elect their 2 new Senators and 6 Congressmen, send them to Washington, and DEMAND that they be seated — which is what Tennessee did back in 1796.
Then, of course, Washington, DC might demand to do the same thing — and there’s at least 3 more Democrat Congressmen and two Senators if they demand representation just as a State. And, of course, Our Democrat President and his benificent Congress would certainly oblige.
In short, all this could happen in short order. It may not happen by November — but it could happen by year’s end. Now imagine this scenario. On election day, the Republicans win an amazing 45 seats in the House to retake the Majority 223-212; and they win 10 seats in the Senate, jumping from 41 seats to 51, while the Democrats decline from 57 to 47 (+ 2 INdependents that caucus with Dems). HOWEVER, on the SAME election day, Puerto Rico voted in the second stage of their referedum to seek statehoos with almost 60% of the popular vote. The “State” officials - elected at the same time by Puerto Ricans - Governor, two “Senators,” and six “Congressmen,” present themselves and their newly written State Constitution to the lame duck Democrat Congress in December, 2010, demanding they be accepted as a State and seated as a delegation. Congress agrees, the President signs off, the Republicans weakly whine, the Press pelts them as racists, the Tea Partiers pitch a fit and are called “racistbigotnazifascisthaters..”
Suddenly, the Democrats have parity in the Senate — which means they HAVE the senate — a 51-51 split means the Vice President casts the tie-breaking vote — hello Harry Reid (or whoever replaces him IF he is defeated). And instead of the Republicans having a 223-212 margin in the House, its a 223-218 margin...Throw in DC, and it’s 223-220 and a Senate at 53-51. Add in a few other territories, or give felons the vote....You get the picture.
THis is ALL pushing toward an unsustainable situation. Patriotic Americans who love their country and who support the Constitution can only allow such lawlessness to go on for so long. At some point, we just stand up and say to the theives — it STOPS NOW! When that happens, who thinks the thieves go away quietly? And how many of us will continue to let our homes be plundered and our childrens futures destroyed?