Posted on 07/13/2010 4:59:15 PM PDT by craigedwards
'United States Plus One – The Prospect of Puerto Rico as the 51st State'.
When HR.2499, the Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2010 passed the House 223 - 169, it barely gathered a whimper of press.
The prospect of America gaining a new state would normally be newsworthy, yet H.R.2499 missed out. Meanwhile, decade old perceptions of Democratic gerrymandering, and opinions based on the 93 and 98 failed plebiscites re-surfaced.
Is Puerto Rican Statehood gerrymandering for the Democratic Party?
Can America afford another State?
Why did Puerto Rico rejected Statehood twice?
(Excerpt) Read more at solidprinciples.com ...
Governor Luis Fortuno: Governor of Puerto Rico
Kenneth McClintock: Sec. of State of Puerto Rico
U.S Congressman Luis Gutierrez (Democrat): Opposed to Puerto Rico Statehood
Héctor J. Ferrer Ríos : President of the Popular Demorcratic Party (Opposition leader of Puerto Rico)
Jeffery L. Fallow: White House advsior to Pres. Clinton on Puerto Rico.
Pedro Pierluisi: Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico / Sole non-voting Congressman of Puerto Rico
Luis Davila Colon: Puerto Rican Author/Columist, Laywer, Radio/Television Presenter, Political Expert.
The Hon. Dr. Hernan Padilla: Co-founder of The U.S. Council for Puerto Rico Statehood, former Mayor of San Juan, and Alternate Representative of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations for Puerto Rico.
Don Soifer: Lexington Foundation
Brian Darling: Political Expert and Fellow at the Hertiage Foundation
Phylis Schlafly: Constitutional Lawyer and Founder of the Eagal Foundation
Eduardo Soto: President of The Puerto Rico Statehood Students Association
United States Plus One – The Prospect of Puerto Rico as the 51st State - appears on episode 33 of the Solid Principles Podcast, and can be downloaded at http://www.solidprinciples.com/index.php/podcast/episode-33 or at iTunes.
In a word, NO !
have a listen to the audio documentary then get back to me
I’m with you. No thanks.
ping
That’s fine. When Texas leaves, you’ll be back to 50.
“In my opinion, Congress has no existence and can exercise no authority outside of the Constitution. Still less is it true that Congress can deal with new territories just as other nations have done or may do with their new territories. This nation is under the control of a written constitution, the supreme law of the land and the only source of the powers which our government, or any branch or officer of it, may exert at any time or at any place. Monarchical and despotic governments, unrestrained by written constitutions, may do with newly acquired territories what this government may not do consistently with our fundamental law. To say otherwise is to concede that Congress may, by action taken outside of the Constitution, engraft upon our republican institutions a colonial system such as exists under monarchical governments. Surely such a result was never contemplated by the fathers of the Constitution. If that instrument had contained a word suggesting the possibility of a result of that character it would never have been adopted by the people of the United States. The idea that this country may acquire territories anywhere upon the earth, by conquest or treaty, and hold them as mere colonies or provinces,—the people inhabiting them to enjoy only such rights as Congress chooses to accord to them,—is wholly inconsistent with the spirit and genius, as well as with the words, of the Constitution.” - Justice John Harlan, dissenting in the Insular Cases, 1901
WTH? We already have 57 states. No mas!
PR is one of the 57.
My impression of Puerto Rico comes from visiting and talking to residents, I would gladly accept their statehood. If others form opinions based on media presentations that is their problem. Whatever incidence of negative behavior sensationalized in the media can be similiarly compared to like trash stateside. Make no mistake, Puerto Ricans are overwhelmingly christian and family oriented. I also served with with two PR’s during the Vietnam era and will stand with them now, whatever they choose.
Actually I’ve done extensive reading on the subject and the parties involved. I’m not fooled by the use of the word “republican” for American audiences when the name they use there is “New progressive”. I’m also aware that the majority of Puerto Ricans are below the income tax threshold and I’m aware of the strength of unions there.
I’ll pass.
My impression comes from Puerto Ricans' insistence on closing of the Vieques bombing range, followed quickly by the loud squeals prompted by the sudden realization of imminent loss of $ when the range was ordered to be closed.
This particular site is a beautiful tropical island, unlike the deserts of Nevada where extensive training/testing takes place including underground 'pops'. I have no problem with desolate areas being used for this. The loud squeals were not a majority consensus, but they sure got the media coverage.
I fail to see much difference when the same applies here. CA is a bad example but the percentage of people paying taxes already is less than 50% and the strength of unions nationally is .. well, suffocating. I will agree that the median income is lower than in the states. As far as being republican goes, that doesn't mean a whole lot considering the number of rinos around.
Compounding our problems is not a solution, its idiotic.
And lots of Nevada folks no doubt think the desert is a most beautiful place - so go blast some deserted island...
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, of course. Besides, Obammy doesn't even want citizens spending their money in the Sin State, let alone federal dollars being spent there. Let's just take the no bombing windfall money and send it to PR to make up for their no bombing shortfall money and everybody's happy. The bomber crews can take the bomb run days off and go to the local pub and play cards.
Winner, winner, winner. Unless we really need those bombers some time in the future.
I might believe that if anyone was protesting the military's use of it. A state of military readiness is paramount to the U.S. and the vastness of areas suitable should preclude the use where there is reasonable opposition. I'm thinking there are some deserted islands that would suffice also.
Back to statehood, I'm obviously in the minority around here, politically/economically my position is weak but I like the place and the people I've met.
I don't think I implied PR statehood would solve our problems. Sorry you took it that way because that would be as you say "idiotic".
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