Statehood for Puerto Rico?

[pecksniff]

This would be a different matter than statehood for DC, because it would require redefining what an American state is. Before, no state was admitted to the Union until it had reached the point where white English-speakers were a majority, or at least, as in Hawaii, clearly the socially dominant group. In PR, that will never happen -- it is part of the Spanish-speaking Latin-Catholic world and it always will be; it is too populous for English-speaking settlers to make any significant demographic difference.

The Puerto Ricans have had a couple of referenda on statehood, and the result of the most recent one was pro-statehood.

It would not necessarily mean more Dems in Congress -- PR has its own political parties. Up to now, they have been defined by their position on PR's constitutional future -- there is an independence party, no longer very significant, a statehood party, and a party favoring indefinite continuance of the status quo. Presumably after statehood, there would be a partisan reorganization/realignment.

 

[ll74]

This would be a different matter than statehood for DC, because it would require redefining what an American state is. Before, no state was admitted to the Union until it had reached the point where white English-speakers were a majority, or at least, as in Hawaii, clearly the socially dominant group. In PR, that will never happen -- it is part of the Spanish-speaking Latin-Catholic world and it always will be; it is too populous for English-speaking settlers to make any significant demographic difference.

The Puerto Ricans have had a couple of referenda on statehood, and the result of the most recent one was pro-statehood.

It would not necessarily mean more Dems in Congress -- PR has its own political parties. Up to now, they have been defined by their position on PR's constitutional future -- there is an independence party, no longer very significant, a statehood party, and a party favoring indefinite continuance of the status quo. Presumably after statehood, there would be a partisan reorganization/realignment.

I'm just going to state the same opinion for both stupid posts since they should've been one.

If the residents want statehood, then the idea should be explored and fully debated. PR pretty much seems to be on the non statehood side. DC needs to debate it out with the states around it involved.

 

[HarryHill]

..
Yes, they've been waiting for it a long time.

 

[LincolnDuncan]

This would be a different matter than statehood for DC, because it would require redefining what an American state is. Before, no state was admitted to the Union until it had reached the point where white English-speakers were a majority, or at least, as in Hawaii, clearly the socially dominant group. In PR, that will never happen -- it is part of the Spanish-speaking Latin-Catholic world and it always will be; it is too populous for English-speaking settlers to make any significant demographic difference.

The Puerto Ricans have had a couple of referenda on statehood, and the result of the most recent one was pro-statehood.

It would not necessarily mean more Dems in Congress -- PR has its own political parties. Up to now, they have been defined by their position on PR's constitutional future -- there is an independence party, no longer very significant, a statehood party, and a party favoring indefinite continuance of the status quo. Presumably after statehood, there would be a partisan reorganization/realignment.

As you pointed out, no one should assume that Puerto Rican statehood would favor Democrats. I have relatives on the island with their heads stuck firmly up their dumb asses.

 

[pecksniff]

PR pretty much seems to be on the non statehood side.

No, they have voted for statehood.

After Hurricane Maria, Trump never seemed to really understand that PR is American territory and its people are citizens. You can understand their wanting to prevent that kind of situation from arising again.

 

[phrodeau]

Whites are not the socially dominant group in Hawaii. Asians are.

 

[jaF0]

Maybe.


But a new state should include the USVI.


'Nother option is for Guam, Wake and other Pacific possessions and territories nearby to band together as a state.

 

[pecksniff]

Whites are not the socially dominant group in Hawaii. Asians are.

Well, everybody speaks English.

 

[pecksniff]

Maybe.


But a new state should include the USVI.

It is right next to PR -- making it a county of PR would make sense.

 

[BoyNextDoor]

567,346 (47.66%) - want independence.

I say set them free.

 

[pecksniff]

567,346 (47.66%) - want independence.

I say set them free.

Well, it is not unprecedented for the U.S. to let go of territory -- see the Philippines.

 

[CornusKousa]

567,346 (47.66%) - want independence.

I say set them free.

They are the smart ones and they would be better off for it if they plan and manage their local affairs properly.

 

[pecksniff]

They are the smart ones and they would be better off for it if they plan and manage their local affairs properly.

I see no reason why PR couldn't make it as an independent Caribbean state . . . nor any reason why the U.S. really needs PR.

 

[Biggs_Darklighter]

No, they have voted for statehood.

After Hurricane Maria, Trump never seemed to really understand that PR is American territory and its people are citizens. You can understand their wanting to prevent that kind of situation from arising again.

They did not vote for statehood. If they had, they'd at least be in the process of becoming one.
They voted on a non-binding referendum and when it's broken down the majority chose not to answer or said no. People think it's a majority because of how it was reported and misunderstood.
They won't be a state any time soon. It's been over 100 years, probably gonna be a hundred more.

 

[pecksniff]

They did not vote for statehood. If they had, they'd at least be in the process of becoming one.

No, because it's not up to them; Congress has to vote on it.

 

[Wrong Element]

My view is that with anything short of a truly overwhelming vote for statehood, we should be aiming towards eventual independence (though not anytime soon, and after the ironing out of issues such as American citizenship).

Taking in a new state that would have a sizable separatist movement from the start would be weird, to say the least. Puerto Rican culture has developed along its own lines for over twice as long as the United States has existed. Expecting them to abandon that for the benefits of statehood isn't realistic.

 

[Dribble]

My thoughts on this has changed in the last year. We don't need to be adding states...we need to be breaking up. Let PR join one of the new countries if they so choose.

Pretending the US can survive the Republican/Democrat divide is ignorant. But there is a lot of ignorance on both sides. So instead...there will be violence...well more violence

 

[pecksniff]

My thoughts on this has changed in the last year. We don't need to be adding states...we need to be breaking up. Let PR join one of the new countries if they so choose.

Pretending the US can survive the Republican/Democrat divide is ignorant. But there is a lot of ignorance on both sides. So instead...there will be violence...well more violence

If we didn't break up over slavery, we're not going to break up over any issue now divisive.

 

[CornusKousa]

I see no reason why PR couldn't make it as an independent Caribbean state . . . nor any reason why the U.S. really needs PR.

I mean if they had a super majority who wanted to join? Cool, I wouldn't say no.

But yea, what you said.

 

[Dribble]

If we didn't break up over slavery, we're not going to break up over any issue now divisive.

Lol...sure. You should share those drugs. Fascism is on the rise. Freedoms...and rights...differ based not only on your economic situation...but the color of your skin. Our Govt is broken. Our educational system is broken. Our health care system is broken. This is not a political issue. People do not trust science...government...media...they have no hope for the future. It is inevitable. Congress had a choice...they chose to do nothing.

 

[pecksniff]

Of course, another objection is that PR is poor. As a state of the Union they would start paying federal income tax, but what would it amount to?

 

[KeithD]

Of course, another objection is that PR is poor. As a state of the Union they would start paying federal income tax, but what would it amount to?

Maybe as much as most of the Red states acting oh so superior?

 

[pecksniff]

Maybe as much as most of the Red states acting oh so superior?

Then PR would join the ranks of states suckling at the federal teat for far more than they contribute. Only, it would be a Spanish-speaking, Catholic, and somewhat brown-skinned state, in that company. Major cognitive dissonance!

 

[pecksniff]

Lawmakers propose binding referendum on PR statehood.

 

[pecksniff]

Puerto Rican culture has developed along its own lines for over twice as long as the United States has existed. Expecting them to abandon that for the benefits of statehood isn't realistic.

That is irrelevant. They can be a state and still keep their culture.