PR Can be Denied Certain Benefits - SCOTUS

[ll74]

I'm curious whether this ruling will drive these territories closer to statehood support.


Supreme Court rules Puerto Ricans don't have constitutional right to some federal benefits.
https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/21/poli...-court-federal-disability-benefits/index.html

The core holding is that Congress is allowed to withhold certain federal benefits from Americans who live in territories like Puerto Rico so long as it has any rational basis for doing so, and that no special justification is required," Vladeck said. "That makes it far easier for Congress, a body in which the territories are not represented, to treat residents of those territories differently with those who live in the states -- not just for Supplemental Security Income, but for all federal benefit programs, like Social Security, Medicare and other entitlements funded at least in part by taxes paid by those living in those territories

 

[HisArpy]

Doubtful that this decision will have any impact on the statehood drives for US Territories. It's also doubtful that Congress will do anything to change the ability of those living in PR or other US Territories to get Fed benefits.

 

[mayfly13]

Under your basically unstated standard, this would apply to every ruler in every nations since the dawn of civilization.

I have to give it to you. instead of butting heads, you cleverly shifted the debate, and through that vantage point its harder to demonize you guys.

I'm just disgusted that while people are being killed and raped, some corporations like the arms manufacturers are making shitloads of money.
Gosh, the War bonanza valuations and Wall Street stocks and bonds pr whatever going through the roof...
But my mom said "that happened in all wars, there was always a new wealthy class that emerged post-war."

 

[LukSkyFokker]

 

[ll74]

Doubtful that this decision will have any impact on the statehood drives for US Territories. It's also doubtful that Congress will do anything to change the ability of those living in PR or other US Territories to get Fed benefits.

It can certainly help those who support statehood with their campaign if they use it well enough.

 

[Rightguide]

So, you're down to posting threads about common knowledge?

 

[ll74]

So, you're down to posting threads about common knowledge?

Do you have something to say on the topic or just needing to vent?

 

[oggbashan]

Puerto Rico could claim "No Taxation without Representation" and the US could be faced with a war of independence.

 

[Rotadom]

So, you're down to posting threads about common knowledge?

You create threads with zero knowledge from yourself or the source.

 

[Dribble]

I agree with this ruling. If you want certain rights...then your "territory" pays fair share income tax or become a State. Really...not an issue

 

[Rightguide]

Puerto Rico could claim "No Taxation without Representation" and the US could be faced with a war of independence.

Most in the territories are already exempt from federal taxation.

 

[Dribble]

Hopefully, this is just a first step. States that contribute little to this country...deserve little in return. The State of Connecticut for example, pays more per person than any other State. Shouldn't they benefit more from the obvious positive choices they have made? Then you have Mississippi...seriously...you don't do better because you know Connecticut will bail your ass out...over and over

 

[oggbashan]

Most in the territories are already exempt from federal taxation.

But they are not exempt from control by the US, without representation. No British colony has that except the uninhabited ones.

 

[Wrong Element]

There were solid arguments on both sides of this case. But I think deferring to the "rational basis" — people in Puerto Rico are exempt from a lot of federal taxes, so they receive fewer benefits — is certainly defensible.

 

[pecksniff]

Doubtful that this decision will have any impact on the statehood drives for US Territories. It's also doubtful that Congress will do anything to change the ability of those living in PR or other US Territories to get Fed benefits.

It will if the territories become states.

 

[pecksniff]

But they are not exempt from control by the US, without representation. No British colony has that except the uninhabited ones.

I thought Overseas Territories like Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands had no representation in Parliament.

 

[Sh1ne0n67]

Puerto Rico could claim "No Taxation without Representation" and the US could be faced with a war of independence.

If only they would pull themselves up by their bootstraps and go their own way, I would welcome that most heartily, but they do not want in anyway to be weaned off the tit of the Mainland's weal.

 

[ll74]

If only they would pull themselves up by their bootstraps and go their own way, I would welcome that most heartily, but they do not want in anyway to be weaned off the tit of the Mainland's weal.

Every Puerto Rican I've spoken to doesnt want statehood.

They also don't want to go independent.

Not that I've spoken to a ton.

 

[Sh1ne0n67]

It seems they vote that way too. I have worked with a lot of them in the past, so they do want something from the US.

 

[Chobham]

Every Puerto Rican I've spoken to doesnt want statehood.

They also don't want to go independent.

Not that I've spoken to a ton.

Nor do they want nationhood either.

 

[Sh1ne0n67]

Why buy the cow when...?

 

[Biggs_Darklighter]

There was a recent documentary about it. One person even did a nice song and dance about how awesome America is.

 

[Chobham]

Why buy the cow when...?

Exactly.

 

[Sh1ne0n67]

Or DC for that matter

We need a wall Kurt Russell couldn't scale.

 

[RobDownSouth]

Puerto Rico could claim "No Taxation without Representation" and the US could be faced with a war of independence.

Puerto Rico has become a major transshipment hub for drugs being manufactured in Mexico. Cargo handling is now a vital part of the Puerto Rican economy. I doubt Puerto Rico would forfeit this lucrative trade for something as ethereal as "independence".