Posted on 11/07/2012 6:39:20 PM PST by MinorityRepublican
Voters in Puerto Rico have supported a non-binding referendum to become a full US state.
The measure will require approval from the US Congress, but President Barack Obama has said he will respect the vote.
The island is currently a US territory, which uses the dollar and whose citizens travel on US passports.
But it does not return senators to the US Congress and is represented in Washington by a non-voting delegate.
Almost 80% of the island's electorate took part in the referendum, the fourth in the past 45 years.
With almost all the votes counted, almost 54% voted to change the island's relationship with the US.
And in reply to a second question on what future they favoured, nearly two-thirds wanted full statehood.
If Congress grants its approval, Puerto Ricans would have the right to vote in all US elections, but would also have to pay federal taxes, something at present they are excused from.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
Texas annexation was by Joint Resolution of Congress, and put to a vote, and agreed to by the electorate of Texas.
The Joint Resolution of Congress has the provision permitting Texas to divide itself.
On the other hand, Texas claimed more land, and some of the land they claimed has been divided into parts of what are now New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, and Wyoming.
So it would be an interesting court case, and I don’t know how it would end. Of further interest it may be the kind of controversy that would, per Article 3 of the Constitution, have the SCOTUS as original juridiction.
Kind of like Texas?
Welcome PR to the club of irrelevance. Everyone not in OH, FL feel your pain. Maybe we conservatives should all move there 4 months before the next election.
I’m not advocating an end to the electoral college. The concept was brilliant and prescient 220 years ago. Federalism didn’t want small states to crush big states. No reason why people in TN should pay for the sins of profligate politicos in CA.
what you said...a few of us get it
many do not
just look at our idiots on TV
sickening
that was an excellent question
Sean.....I love Hispanics for what its worth....I love immigrants for the most part..
we need more very loud very visible and very dynamic Hispanic leaders in the pub party....
I've sent money to Raul Labrador fwiw...
Actually DC has more like 630,000 population and is adding more than 1,000 a month. My jaw drops every time I go downtown. Cranes decorate the skyline. What would make sense would be to return the chunk of DC that was ceded to VA, illegally I have heard (research needed). DC has more population than at least 4 states. It is totally unfair that DC residents pay 100% taxes when they have only 40% representation while PR pays $0 federal income tax with 0% representation.
A bill could be approved in Congress reducing the Federal income taxes paid to what the DC voting rights would make fair, 40% taxes at present, 60% if the Delegate were given voting rights, and 100% only if two senators are added. Regarding electoral votes. I have heard that DC is currently fixed at 3, although the population should entitle DC to 4 electors. I don’t know if that could be fixed by Congress or if that would be a constitutional question. The 2012 payment to the Federal government of Individual income taxes and FICA was around $17 billion. I don’t know what percentage of that total is FICA, but I strongly suspect it is not more than half. If DC residents were only paying 40% Federal tax, they would have higher personal incomes to pay DC income tax which would be more than enough to pay for the DC government items that currently are not affordable and continue to motivate cries for a commuter tax. The current infighting for funds amounts to somewhere between 1/2 and $1 billion dollars which would probably be the range that would be incoming. Thank you for this detailed and thoughtful analysis.
Wardaddy, I can’t believe that the Republicans are even thinking about comprehensive immigration reform.
What they haven’t been able to understand is that their base stayed home!
Lordy...out here, sure, Hispanics are so-cons, but they do love the unions, and they love free stuff!
If Boehner thinks they will vote republican, he will have a very rude awakening on another election day.
BTW, have you heard that the Republicans want to get rid of so-cons?
If they are successful, they will never, ever win another election.
BTW, awesome rant! Very worthy!
I “get” it.
Thank you for an excellent post!
As “they” say: “ooohhh. . .SNAP”
Appreciate it.
I read the Texas constitution and see no reference to how Texas would sub-divide (or how they would do it).
So, thus far, I understand Texas was admitted to the Union by a Joint Resolution of Congress. I ask, in this joint resolution were Texans granted the right to sub-divide?
If so, do you have a citation/link I can read that resolution permitting sub-division? Hate to ask, as you have been patient.
Regarding the other areas originally claimed by Texas, those territories, were they not defined by the federal government and not Texas, so Texas did not themselves, sub-divide (as that would be prohibited by the consitution).
Seriously, not arguing, really want to find out so I may become more deeply aware of the facts.
Thanks.
DC is not a state, it is a federal territory, the seat of the federal government.
So, should the federal government have representation within the peoples House and the Senate where states are represented? DC is not a state so the Senate is right out, but the “peoples house,” that is interesting. Since DC was never intended to have representation in either House of Senate, I think not because DC was never intended to be a “state,” but “federal” and we all know how sacred the divide is between the federal government and the states.
So, if the federal government had representatives in the House and Senate then the federal government would be representing themselves alongside states, intruding upon the sovereign responsibilities of the states and the people.
Interesting. . .
Unfortunately not nearly enough Hispanics are conservative according this article. The rest just want free $h!t.
http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/332916/why-hispanics-dont-vote-republicans-heather-mac-donald
“And a strong reason for that support for big government is that so many Hispanics use government programs. U.S.-born Hispanic households in California use welfare programs at twice the rate of native-born non-Hispanic households. And that is because nearly one-quarter of all Hispanics are poor in California, compared to a little over one-tenth of non-Hispanics. Nearly seven in ten poor children in the state are Hispanic, and one in three Hispanic children is poor, compared to less than one in six non-Hispanic children. One can see that disparity in classrooms across the state, which are chock full of social workers and teachers’ aides trying to boost Hispanic educational performance.”
Perhaps but first things first have to build a northern, eastern, and western wall with the illegals...then kick their butts out. Should be plenty of extra housing when the 5-6 million folks on welfare move out to get their safety net. Then we will do immigration interviews.
I agree with you on demographics.
Somehow I don’t think that our founders would have wanted 630,000 citizens to have no vote on how their taxes are spent, so either give DC the votes, or stop taxing. At least 4 states have smaller population. I think the founders would be amazed at how many people now life in DC.
VA got their piece back it’s all MD.
We can’t do that to Maryland, they would never a Republican again, may not anyway but still. And the poor Maryland taxpayers.
I support making a new state only if liberal suburbs in both Va and MD are added as Auh2o suggests.
If democrats would never agree to that then the residents of DC can pound sand as far as I’m concerned, I’d take away their electoral votes if I could. I know I am very mean.
I didn’t even know Fortuno was in any danger.
And the legislature is lost to the PPD as well? Damn.
Yet they voted for statehood, curious.
And of course the PNP democrat Res Com won and I assume is now the face of the party?
Icky. I am sorry, you must be crestfallen. Though no more so than the rest of us.
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