Puerto Rico wants to become 51st State

[Deberg_1990]

Why? Because they want some benefits and entitlements of course!




http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/11...lls-open-late/



Puerto Ricans faced a fundamental question on Election Day: Should they change their ties with the United States?

Citizens in the U.S. island territory cannot vote in the U.S. presidential election, but many were excited to participate in a referendum on whether to push the territory toward statehood, greater autonomy or independence.

Car horns blared and party flags waved after polling stations closed following what election officials said was a high voter turnout. During the day, many voters carried umbrellas against the blistering tropical sun as temperatures neared 90 degrees Fahrenheit (31 degrees Celsius).

The two-part referendum first asked voters if they wanted to change Puerto Rico's 114-year relationship with the United States. A second question gave voters three alternatives if they wanted a change: become a U.S. state, gain independence, or have a "sovereign free association," a designation that would give more autonomy for the territory of 4 million people.

With 243 of 1,643 precincts reporting late Tuesday, 75,188 voters, or 53 percent, said they did not want to continue under the current political status. Forty-seven percent, or 67,304 voters, supported the status quo.

On the second question, 65 percent favored statehood, followed by 31 percent for sovereign free association and 4 percent for independence.

"Puerto Rico has to be a state. There is no other option," said 25-year-old Jerome Lefebre, who picked up his grandfather before driving to the polls. "We're doing OK, but we could do better. We would receive more benefits, a lot more financial help."

But 42-year-old Ramon Lopez de Azua said he favored the current system, which grants U.S. citizenship but prevents Puerto Ricans from voting for president unless they live in the United States, and gives those on the island only limited representation in Congress.

"Puerto Rico's problem is not its political status," he said. "I think that the United States is the best country in the world, but I am Puerto Rican first."

Both President Barack Obama and rival Mitt Romney said they supported the referendum, with Obama pledging to respect the will of the people if there was a clear majority. Any change would require approval by the U.S. Congress.

Puerto Rico held non-binding referendums in 1967, 1993 and 1998, with statehood never garnering a clear majority and independence never obtaining more than 5 percent of the vote.

The island also was electing legislators and a governor, with Gov. Luis Fortuno of the pro-statehood New Progressive Party seeking a second term. Fortuno, a Republican, was challenged by Alejandro Garcia Padilla, whose Popular Democratic Party favors the status quo. With 817 of 1,643 precincts reporting late Tuesday, Garcia had 427,604 votes, or 48 percent, while Fortuno had 422,506 votes, or 47 percent.

[Graystoke]

Bring them in for a "Look"

[alnorth]

Problem with this result: Puerto Rico also barely, by a narrow razor-thin margin, replaced their pro-statehood governor with a governor who wants PR to remain the way it is. I presume a hostile governor can screw things up if he wants to ignore the will of the, apparently confused, voters.

[whoman69]

The territory has to now contact the US Congress and come up with a Constitution that is in line with the US Constitution. The matter then has to pass both houses with a simple majority and send a joint resolution to the President. No valid petition has ever been denied.

[tiptap]

Originally Posted by KC native

One problem with that. Hispanics are not a monolithic block. Doing something for Puerto Ricans will not necessarily lead to inroads with Mexicans and other South Americans.

So yes one could start with another Hispanic group and meet their particular need. I just suggested a real simple one that costs little compared to outlays already and has potential for gain politically. But go ahead pish posh any move to improve standing with any Hispanic group and see how the next election goes.

[alnorth]

I've learned that if the US Congress really decides they want to admit PR, there's really nothing the new governor can do about it.

Ordinarily, a territory has to call a constitutional convention, set up a republican form of government, and the people have to vote on an up or down vote on the proposed constitution and government.

Puerto Rico has a constitution and a republican form of government. There is nothing for PR's governor to veto. Congress could just proceed straight to a vote.

[dmahurin]

Originally Posted by Graystoke

Bring them in for a "Look"

Can Puerto Rico play quarterback?

[BWillie]

If PR gets to be a state...and gets electoral college votes. .. Republicans will never win again

[theelusiveeightrop]

This "statehood" process has me confused. Better call in *****.

[listopencil]

Originally Posted by Donger

How would this benefit the United States?

Hot Puerto Rican chicks by the boatloads.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by listopencil

Hot Puerto Rican chicks by the boatloads.

Between this and the chorizo and eggs post, I'm in.

[J Diddy]

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

Between this and the chorizo and eggs post, I'm in.

What you said.

[pr_capone]

**** Puerto Rico becoming the 51st state.

PR becoming a state is the very last thing I want. Either remain as is or work to independence. Becoming the 51st state would piss me off to no end. It is Stockholm syndrome 115 years in the making.

Awesome... we are going to be the new Hawaii. ****ing horse shit.

[alnorth]

The more I think about it, the more the status quo people in PR seem insane to me. Either become a state or become independent. Territory is really not what you want to be, unless the people are all rich and don't want to pay taxes, but thats not the case at all.

As a territory, they have no votes, no Senators who must be catered to. Puerto Rico is the last dog at the bowl, after the pack of 50 hounds. They eat whatever is left, and it could be nothing if, say, the Senator from WV wants PR money to be re-allocated to building a road named after him.

Hawaii used to be dirt-poor. When they became a state and got their 2 senators who could hold things up if they aren't happy, they quickly modernized. Are the pro-territory folks freaking insane?

[Ebolapox]

Originally Posted by pr_capone

**** Puerto Rico becoming the 51st state.

PR becoming a state is the very last thing I want. Either remain as is or work to independence. Becoming the 51st state would piss me off to no end. It is Stockholm syndrome 115 years in the making.

Awesome... we are going to be the new Hawaii. ****ing horse shit.

ok, I'll bite--what's your problem with this?

[Taco John]

I can't imagine what anybody could possibly have against Puerto Rico becoming a state...