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Religions:
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  Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 5%, Buddhist and other 3% |
Posted on 02/23/2005 12:50:32 AM PST by freepatriot32
The Republic of the Philippines is an archipeligo of over 7,100 islands located north of Malaysia, Australia and Indonesia in the Pacific Ocean and south of Taiwan. The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish- American War. In 1935 the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected President and was tasked with preparing the country for independence after a 10-year transition. In 1942 the islands fell under Japanese occupation during WWII, and US forces and Filipinos fought together during 1944-45 to regain control. On 4 July 1946 the Philippines attained their independence. The 21-year rule of Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986, when a widespread popular rebellion forced him into exile and installed Corazon AQUINO as president. Her presidency was hampered by several coup attempts, which prevented a return to full political stability and economic development. Fidel RAMOS was elected president in 1992 and his administration was marked by greater stability and progress on economic reforms. In 1992, the US closed its last military bases on the islands. Joseph ESTRADA was elected president in 1998, but was succeeded by his vice-president, Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, in January 2001 after Estrada's stormy impeachment trial on corruption charges broke down and widespread demonstrations led to his ouster. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO was elected to a six- year term in May 2004. The Philippine Government faces threats from both Muslim separatist groups and communist insurgents. In area it is slightly larger than Arizona. Population 86,241,697 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 35.8% (male 15,758,255; female 15,152,291) 15-64 years: 60.2% (male 25,847,345; female 26,096,211) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 1,473,873; female 1,913,722) (2004 est.) Median age: total: 22.1 years male: 21.6 years female: 22.6 years (2004 est.) Population growth rate: 1.88% (2004 est.)
Stats from CIA Factbook 2004.
There are many reasons for my proposal to make the Republic of the Philippines the 51st (and possibly 52nd and 53rd states, see North and South Carolina, the Dakotas, West Virginia, etc..) of the United States of America. I will list them in order and expand on them as I go along. Firstly, we have longstanding ties with the Philippine people. The Philippines was an American territory and commonwealth until they achieved their independence after WWII. English has been spoken in the Philippines since 1762, and the Philippines is the third largest English- speaking nation in the world, after the USA and United Kingdom.
Secondly, the people of the Philippines, known as Filipinos, for the most part admire, respect and emulate the United States, especially for its rule of law, fair elections, civil rights, industriousness, sense of fair play, and economic vitality. Many in the Philippines feel that becoming a U.S. state would be preferable to the rampant cronyism, corruption, bribe-taking and favoritism displayed by many of their current leadership and poverty that pervades many of the islands. Thirdly, becoming a state(or states) of the U.S. would enable Filipinos to travel freely within the U.S., opening up new vistas of opportunity for many(such as the hundreds of thousands of well-trained Filipino nurses, doctors and other medical technicians, of which there is a shortage in the U.S.), and would encourage both foreign and U.S. investment in the new state(s), as stabilization would occur. One great benefit for current citizens of the United States would be 80 million new taxpayers and contributors into the Social Security system. The Philippines has a great number of underemployed and unemployed, yet highly intelligent and educated young adults, who, with adequate investment, could turn the Philippines into the "Silicon Valley" of Asia, enriching the whole United States all the more. Small business loans, which are almost impossible to get now in the Philippines, or come with "loan shark" type interest rates, would be much easier to find, causing a boom in these small businesses, and hence employment, in the islands.
I believe the Philippines should be admitted as three separate states, based on culture and geography, so as not to overwhelm the U.S. Congress with a sudden influx of 140 representatives in the House of Representatives from one state. Each state, would of course, also have two senators.
The United States will also greatly benefit in having the Philippines a state of the U.S. because of the rich natural resources which could potentially be developed with modern technologies. Also, the U.S. would again have bases close to communist China and other trouble spots, from which to contain any potential enemies, and some of the people of the new state(s) would gain employment at these military installations and in catering to the personnel assigned there. On that note, Filipinos would be able to join the U.S. military directly, with no hassle, and gain the benefits and training that accrue to those who serve. The Philippines already has the only U.S. Veterans Affairs medical facility outside the U.S., and that could be expanded upon. There are many other benefits that make this an ideal proposal, and I welcome your comments and suggestions, especially those from people in the Philippines or of Philippine descent.
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About the author: Mr. Srout is a veteran of the US Army (MOS 96B20-Intelligence Analyst) and is a keen student of the War Between The States. He is currently helping his friend Dave Brown market his book "Cooking For Cavemen"
Email: wvrebelyell@yahoo.com
I will never happen. I've been to the Philippines about 10 times since l967. The Filipino people are very proud, nationalistic people. They did not even want our military bases there; so we pulled out and closed Subic Naval Station and Clark Air Base (the largest Air Force Base in the world).
While I wouldn't mind it at all, don't hold your breath. The biggest drawback is the great amount of poverty there. I don't think the U.S. taxpayer oculd afford that big of a welfare bill. After all, we've got to support all of the United Nations Member Nations who hate our guts.
The complications involved in uniformly placing 51 stars on the flag would make this scenario unsuitable. ; )
Frankly, I think the Philippinos are too proud anyway.
No way! They don't want it. They even ended US Naval bases
there.
I believe the Philippines should be admitted as three separate states, based on culture and geography, so as not to overwhelm the U.S. Congress with a sudden influx of 140 representatives in the House of Representatives from one state. Each state, would of course, also have two senators.
I am not willing to give the Philippines 6 senators and so many reps, either. Talk about a power block.
What about the Muslim/terrorist issues?
I vote, nay.
Not going to happen.
The Phillipines are a free and independent Nation. In order to become a state, the Filipino people have to petition the US Congress to admit them as a state. I just don't really see this as a possibility
The US protectorates of Guam, Samoa, and Puerto Rico are far more likely to become the 51st - 53rd states.
FWIW, I see Canada and Mexico becoming US states before the Phillipines does.
I'm fairly certain that abortion is illegal in the Phillipines.
I would not bring Roe vs. Wade there.
Yeah, if the philippinos got 6 senators Texas would have to divvy itself up to keep up and nobody wants that!
No to the turd world!
What percent Muslim? What percent Christian?
Yea, right.
Also, the U.S. would again have bases close to communist China and other trouble spots, from which to contain any potential enemies, and some of the people of the new state(s) would gain employment at these military installations and in catering to the personnel assigned there.
Great speculation for one living in the '30's, however the mobility and swiftness of our military today renders this concern a moot one.
Also Western Canada.
The Philippines is the ONLY Christian nation in Southeast Asia; all of Asia for that matter. It is predominantly Catholic but there is a HUGE Charismatic movement there. The Muslims are definitely in the minority.
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Religions:
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Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 5%, Buddhist and other 3% |
I was just talking about this the other day with one of my friends when the prospect of Puerto Rico statehood came up.My idea for the 51st state (whatever it will be )would be keep the original 50 stars on the flag but make the 51st star be formed by the 50 so in other words when you see the flag you would see one big star in the blue field but when you look closer you see 50 stars and the giant star would represent Puerto Rico and the 50 small stars would represent all the other states
Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here. ok technically not a libertarian issue but i am curious to know what the members of the libertarian ping list think about this idea ?
I think that it is a profoundly unconservative notion.
Conservatism is founded upon the communities in which we live, foremost among these are the family and the nation (truly the twin bases of society). America is a fine nation, so too are the Philippines, so too Australia, and so too (dare I say) my own beloved England.
A true conservatism loves and admires one's own country, but also admires and respects the good aspects of other countries; and should never seek to absorb them.
There are also several well entrenched terror groups living in the jungles. There is also piracy, political corruption on a grand scale, kidnappings, drugs, and poor people who would make the poor in the US appear to be rich. This area would not be well suited as part of the US. In all reality, it would make the feds go crazy in the attempt to bring the area up to a US standard. If you think the southern US border is porous, you should see this one!
The URL below is the recent DoS travel advisory for the Philippines
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1156.html
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