ChrisF202

What should the status of Puerto Rico be?

dalem

Status Quo.

Kick 'em loose and they are vulnerable to our enemies.

Don't want another state.

-dale

dave lukins

Ask the Puerto Ricans

Shamus

I agree Dale,we don't need another state.I can't count higher than 50 anyway .

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ChrisF202

They are practically split 50% - 50% between statehood and status quo lol. The last vote in 1998 was something like 48% Statehood, 48.5% Status Quo and 1.5% Independence. I guess someone likes us!

I voted for statehood because I feel its the best option for Puerto Rico being that the UN is constantly hammering us about "de-colonialization" and I feel that PR (and our other territories - Guam, American Samoa, USVI and the CMNI) should all become states so they can reap the full benefits of being Americans and so they can vote in presidential elections (currently territories and Washington DC cant vote in pres elections and do not have votes in the House and Senate but do have like a speaker called the Resident Commissioner for the House to represent said territory). If they are American citizens they should have the full rights and privileges same as I do ... but at the same time they should also bear the same burdens as we do (in terms of federal taxes - territories are exempt from federal tax but in return dont get 1 federal aid program I think its social security but im not 100%).

I also feel that its time we let Puerto Rico choose its destiny with a final referendum to determine its permanent status.

dave lukins

Chris, this is too close to call. Even after all these years it still 50-50 therefore it must remain status Quo until there is a big swing either way

Ironduke

Statehood.

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wkllaw

May I ask if the Puerto Ricans present some sort of liability and waste to the Americans?

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gunnut

Status quo.

We should keep some territories to maintain this imperial gig.

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JAD_333

Guam, a state! Barely more than 3 times as large as Washington DC, with a third of the population and no birds. I think not.

DC residents vote in presidential elections. Thay also have a non-voting delegate in the US House of Representatives, as does Guam, Puerto Rico, Am Samoa and the Virgin Islands. They can vote in committee. A bill passed this year would allow them to vote on amendments, but their vote is tossed out if it is a tiebreaker. Wierd. Bush opposes the bill as unconstitutional. Yeah right. All 5 delegates are dems, that's why.

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JAD_333

Liability, yes (defense); waste, no. Odd question.

Parihaka

It would certainly keep the rest of the world happy if you could at least maintain the pretence.

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glyn

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entropy

Yes, it will keep the "Is America an empire" thread going.

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If memory serves...

crooks

If they want the status quo, just leave it as so.

Aren't I clever .