Puerto Rico, the 51st State?

[echoes]

Heard about this earlier this morning, and was curious if this vote would actually result in Puerto Rico becoming the 51st State?

It says in the highlighted portion below that previous ballots did not have approved language, so they were rejected.

Am very surprised that there is not more media coverage of this event.

Holly

By DANICA COTO Published June 11, 2017
Associated Press

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/06...eferendum.html



Puerto Rico mulls political status in new referendum

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Puerto Ricans are getting the chance Sunday to tell the U.S. Congress which political status they want for the U.S. territory that is mired in an economic crisis that has triggered an exodus of islanders to the mainland.
Congress has final say over whether to approve the outcome of the referendum that offers voters three choices: statehood, free association/independence or the current territorial status.

Many expect supporters of statehood to dominate the vote because three parties that favor other options are boycotting, including the island's main opposition party.

Among those hoping Puerto Rico will become the 51st state is Pedro Pierluisi, the island's former congressional representative.

"Let's send a loud and clear message to the United States and the entire world," he said in a statement on Saturday. "And that message is that we Puerto Ricans not only want our U.S. citizenship, but we want equal treatment."

The referendum coincides with the 100th anniversary of the United States granting U.S. citizenship to Puerto Ricans, though they are barred from voting in presidential elections and have only one congressional representative with limited voting powers.

Many believe the island's territorial status has contributed to its 10-year economic recession, which was largely sparked by decades of heavy borrowing and the elimination of federal tax incentives. Puerto Rico is exempt from the U.S. federal income tax, but it still pays Social Security and Medicare and local taxes and receives less federal funding than U.S. states.

Nearly half a million Puerto Ricans have moved to the U.S. mainland in the past decade to find a more affordable cost of living or jobs as the island of 3.4 million people struggles with a 12 percent unemployment rate.

Those who remain behind have been hit with new taxes and higher utility bills on an island where food is 22 percent more expensive than the U.S. mainland and public services are 64 percent more expensive.

Those who oppose statehood warn that Puerto Rico will struggle even more financially because it will be forced to pay millions of dollars in federal taxes. Many also worry the island will lose its cultural identity.

A spokesman for the U.S. Justice Department told The Associated Press that the agency has not reviewed or approved the ballot's language. Federal officials in April rejected an original version, in part because it did not offer the territory's current status as an option. The administration of Gov. Ricardo Rossello added it and sent the ballot back for review, but the department said it needed more time and asked that the vote be postponed, which it wasn't.

Sunday's referendum is the fifth for Puerto Rico.

No clear majority emerged in the first three referendums, with voters almost evenly divided between statehood and the status quo. During the last referendum in 2012, 54 percent said they wanted a status change. Sixty-one percent who answered a second question said they favored statehood, but nearly half a million voters left that question blank, leading many to claim the results were not legitimate.

Thousands of Puerto Ricans already cast their vote earlier this week in the newest referendum, including inmates and those who are hospitalized.

[JJ_BPK]

The last time I read about the statehood vote(maybe 10yrs ago) it was soundly defeated because PR did not want to pay Federal Tax, nor comply with federal law,, and the welfare was better as a colony(sic).

Personally, I'd vote to let them become an independent country..
Let them go to the UN for money..

[SF_BHT]

After living there for several years I watched 2 of thease plevacites. They love to bash the US and claim that they are Puertoricans not Americans but they would not give up their passports. The group who wants to be the 51st state is not the majority. They parade this and waste money for a vote that means nothing. They can only become independent or a state if congress votes for it. They have no say so by the law. This vote is smoke and mirrors that has been going on so long they are now believing the lie.

The republicans will never vote for statehood because they would change the balance toward the democrats because the overall population is democrat.

My vote would be to make the stand on their own and be an independent failed country in stead of a leach on the US sucking our money up and not being responsible for anything. An one that was worth anything has left the island long ago. If we voted for them to be an independent country you would see anyone with money for a ticket run to the US.....

Just my 2 cents

[echoes]

Originally Posted by SF_BHT

After living there for several years I watched 2 of thease plevacites. They love to bash the US and claim that they are Puertoricans not Americans but they would not give up their passports. The group who wants to be the 51st state is not the majority. They parade this and waste money for a vote that means nothing. They can only become independent or a state if congress votes for it. They have no say so by the law. This vote is smoke and mirrors that has been going on so long they are now believing the lie.

The republicans will never vote for statehood because they would change the balance toward the democrats because the overall population is democrat.

My vote would be to make the stand on their own and be an independent failed country in stead of a leach on the US sucking our money up and not being responsible for anything. An one that was worth anything has left the island long ago. If we voted for them to be an independent country you would see anyone with money for a ticket run to the US.....

Just my 2 cents

Very interesting B~

From my very limited knowledge, it seemed that the Puerto Rican's of the past generation served with honor in the U.S. Armed forces, and took great pride in doing so...

Am guessing that the current economic climate as well as available resources for the general population must have detoured them towards this unfortunate swing to the left?
(sounds like they could use some Pisco Sours)


And JJ, was wondering about the rule of not paying Federal Tax? A bit confusing...


Holly

[Team Sergeant]

The only reason they "now" want to become a state is so that they can beg for money.

And I agree, cut them loose........ let the failed socialist country beg to the UN.

[echoes]

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

The only reason they "now" want to become a state is so that they can beg for money.

And I agree, cut them loose........ let the failed socialist country beg to the UN.

Agree TS Sir.

Will wonder what the new history books will say...


Holly

[PRB]

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

The only reason they "now" want to become a state is so that they can beg for money.

And I agree, cut them loose........ let the failed socialist country beg to the UN.

Exactly...they want Govt. grants as their economy has been totally mismanaged ... Have a nice ceremony and say...Poof, you are your own entity...have a nice day.

[echoes]

Originally Posted by PRB

Exactly...they want Govt. grants as their economy has been totally mismanaged ... Have a nice ceremony and say...Poof, you are your own entity...have a nice day.

PRB Sir,

Want to ask a question about PR born men, are they still eligible to serve in SF?
Only ask because have read about a couple here on PS, that served honorably ...

Holly

[PRB]

Originally Posted by echoes

PRB Sir,

Want to ask a question about PR born men, are they still eligible to serve in SF?
Only ask because have read about a couple here on PS, that served honorably ...

Holly

Yes, and they could still do so if PR were a country...it is a fast track to citizenship to serve in the military.

What does that have to do with PR's debt and crime issues....they did not want State hood prior but now that they are in huge financial trouble it looks more 'attractive' to them.....isn't the FALN separatist bomber being heralded on a float in the PR parade in NY today...the terrorist Obama pardoned or reduced his 70 year sentence.

I say make his dream come true.

[SF_BHT]

Originally Posted by echoes

Very interesting B~

From my very limited knowledge, it seemed that the Puerto Rican's of the past generation served with honor in the U.S. Armed forces, and took great pride in doing so...

Am guessing that the current economic climate as well as available resources for the general population must have detoured them towards this unfortunate swing to the left?
(sounds like they could use some Pisco Sours)


And JJ, was wondering about the rule of not paying Federal Tax? A bit confusing...


Holly

Puertoricans have always had a large number serve in the military. Many do it to get out and see the world and many serve in the NG and Reserves. Some are good soldiers and some are not just like the rest of the US population. The ones that currently serve and those PR Vets are very proud of their service. Many of the ones I knew while I was on the island that had returned were ashamed of the state of the island and the ones still living there. Many of them have packed up and gone stateside because they saw no hope with the government state and the majority that just want gov handouts and the crime.

As anywhere there are good people but not enough to make a difference.

Just another third world island with first world access..... But what do I know. I was just part of e 20% that lived on the island that paid taxes for the 80+% that did not contribute a dime to the government but got all the local, state and federal handouts.

[echoes]

Originally Posted by PRB

Yes, and they could still do so if PR were a country...it is a fast track to citizenship to serve in the military.

What does that have to do with PR's debt and crime issues....they did not want State hood prior but now that they are in huge financial trouble it looks more 'attractive' to them.....isn't the FALN separatist bomber being heralded on a float in the PR parade in NY today...the terrorist Obama pardoned or reduced his 70 year sentence.

I say make his dream come true.

Thank you PRB, Sir. Am always trying to learn more, and no, I see no correlation between the honorable PR Men who served to the current state of the Territory of PR.

Was not aware of a parade in NY today that had a bomber being hailed as a hero.

And agree, Obama was, is, and always will be a scum-sucking pig terrorist, who should rot in hell.


Holly

[echoes]

Originally Posted by SF_BHT

Puertoricans have always had a large number serve in the military. Many do it to get out and see the world and many serve in the NG and Reserves. Some are good soldiers and some are not just like the rest of the US population. The ones that currently serve and those PR Vets are very proud of their service. Many of the ones I knew while I was on the island that had returned were ashamed of the state of the island and the ones still living there. Many of them have packed up and gone stateside because they saw no hope with the government state and the majority that just want gov handouts and the crime.

As anywhere there are good people but not enough to make a difference.

Just another third world island with first world access..... But what do I know. I was just part of e 20% that lived on the island that paid taxes for the 80+% that did not contribute a dime to the government but got all the local, state and federal handouts.

Wow B~

Cannot imagine the first hand look in to their culture, habits, and livelihood that you were able to obtain.

Seals off my opinions on the subject, as did PRB's.


Holly

[The Reaper]

I served in PR for two years, and trust me, they do not want to be Americans, they just want someone to clean up the mess and pick up the check for their corruption and socialist experiments.

They want to be able to vote, but will not agree to pay Federal taxes.

They sold a bunch of BS to get USARSO and SOCSOUTH there after Panama closed, and then reneged on most of it. They refused to allow C3/7 to use ranges, do training, etc. I wonder if Culebra and Vieques bring in sufficient revenue to make up for the loss of Rosey Roads and the military commands they obtained after Panama closed?

They wanted the Federal civilian employees who had relocated from Panama to pay huge local PR taxes as well as Federal taxes, and when PR overwithheld, refused to refund the excess. Most of the people who had been in those jobs for years quit and went back to CONUS.

I have three overseas tours and a lot of deployments to a couple of dozen countries, and I have never been in a place that hated America more than Puerto Rico. That hurts to say, because I have several good Puerto Rican friends, but they know it is the truth. At this point, I think there are more Puerto Ricans living in CONUS than in PR. Talk about voting with your feet.

They blame America for almost all of their problems. Let them take a hard look at themselves, and take charge of their own fate.

Cut them loose and let them operate as a sovereign nation. They offer very little, but demand a huge amount from America. Time for a divorce.

TR

[SF_BHT]

Originally Posted by The Reaper

I served in PR for two years, and trust me, they do not want to be Americans, they just want someone to clean up the mess and pick up the check for their corruption and socialist experiment.

They want to be able to vote, but will not agree to pay Federal taxes.

They sold a bunch of BS to get USARSO and SOCSOUTH there after Panama closed, and then reneged on most of it. They refused to allow C3/7 to use ranges, do training, etc. I wonder if Culebra and Vieques bring in sufficient revenue to make up for the loss of Roosey Roads and the military commands the obtained after Panama closed?

They wanted the Federal civilian employees who had relocated from Panama to pay huge local PR taxes as well as Federal taxes, and when PR overwithheld, refused to refund the excess. Most of the people who had been in those jobs for years quit and went back to CONUS.

I have three overseas tours and a lot of deployments to a couple of dozen countries, and I have never been in a place that hated America more than Puerto Rico. That hurts to say, because I have several good Puerto Rican friends, but they know it is the truth. At this point, I think there are more Puerto Ricans living in CONUS than in PR. Talk about voting with your feet.

They blame America for almost all of their problems. Let them take a hard look at themselves, and take charge of their own fate.

Cut them loose and let them operate as a sovereign nation. They offer very little, but demand a huge amount from America. Time for a divorce.

TR

Spot on.

I too say let them be free of the demon Gringos.

[Flagg]

That's a shame to hear Puerto Ricans possess so much antipathy for America.

Especially considering the 100th anniversary of the Jones Act granting US citizenship.

Sounds like the support for statehood is just to bail them out financially.

It reads like the spoiled offspring of wealthy parents.

Cut up their credit cards and kick them out of the house.

But I suspect not, as it provides too attractive an opportunity for China, Russia, and others including supranational entities to exploit. Potentially contrary to US interests.

At some stage, I wonder if any large corporates would ever consider trying a hybrid partial buyout of a country via referendum.

Purchase their discounted debt, and attempt to purchase corporate pseudo sovereignty.