Puerto Rico Is Voting On Statehood: What's At Stake?......

You are making things up.

 

Aside from one's view of whatever particulars (the character, politics, debt, service) increasing the sovereign size of the US is a plus, and it reflects well on that country that others want to join it. Should this motivate Democrats to oppose any movement towards incorporating the Island and thus deny Trump the accomplishment?

 

...and why, because Puerto Ricans have served in the military, would that have any bearing on whether they become a state?

It's irrelevant to the question of statehood.

 

It is relevant to the thread in the context of the thread.

 

Philippines: foreign country, if you served, you would know the difference
between a foreign national serving and an American serving.

Happy to grant citizenship to those who do serve.

 

Feel free to explain how.

 

I have served BTW, but you mention military service as a reason to grant Puerto Rico statehood. You've yet to explain your reasoning.

 

I would be totally fine with Republicans saying that they don't want to give statehood to Puerto Rico because they don't want to give more legislators/electors to the Democrats. That's a cause I can get behind.

But because their financial house ain't in order? There's nothing more American than that.

 

That the Democrats would gain voters and legislators with Puertorican accession is not in doubt and this could sensibly be part of Republican opposition thereto. Not a great concern at this time given the Republican majority and the shambles the Democrat party is in, but it is an issue since it appears this is a permanent condition of the population on the Island.

The fiscal mess in Puerto Rico is not the "American way", certainly not a reflection of the prefered Republican approach. Although there are many cities and states which manage their finances as poorly as Puerto Rico, if you look closely you will see they also share the Island's political orientation.

In Puerto Rico the situation is aggravated by two factors; corruption is a cultural trait and the source of funding (US taxpayers) is farther removed. Gaining a state would be a great achievement, but it is sensible to consider the cost.

 

We don't want them, and they don't want us. So it's either status quo or independence, I guess.

 

For people who are fit for freedom.

 

The cost would be inconsequential. Especially if Trump really plans on bringing our industry back.

 

I agree, I think the US should make Puerto Rico a state, the cost notwithstanding and despite the acquisition of a bunch of inveterate Democrats, this would make the US greater in every sense.

The cost, $100 billion seems unimportant, but I would expect statehood to bring Puerto Rico greater transparency, less corruption, end it's political patronage jobs and improve accountability.

I doubt statehood for Puerto Rico is imminent and expect there will be some posturing about accountability, corruption and transparency then. I know they'll get a bailout to cover those $70 billion they owe (even if no statehood) and the same posturing will then be evident.

 

They're a small, improvident island that dumps their excess population on the mainland. Do they have strategic importance?

 

Who cares? Just make them a state and get it over with, because otherwise we're going to have this same conversation every 10 years.

 

23% of Puerto Ricans Vote in Referendum, 97% of Them for Statehood

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/11/us/puerto-ricans-vote-on-the-question-of-statehood.html?_r=0

 

Would be devastating for America because they'll no doubt vote liberal and we definitely need no more of those. The best thing that could happen for the U.S. is they go independent but that'll never happen because at least a third are enjoying entitlement programs on the American tax payers. Of course all the nasty socialists in our government will want them, that's a no brainer.

 

Wow 97% vote for Statehood. Guess they have learned they can get on the dole and then be bailed out, huh?

 

You're only half right. We don't want them because we have ZERO to gain and everything to lose. But most in that country DO want us because of our entitlement programs which they currently enjoy and have come to rely on. And this at a time when we're in desperate need to revamp our entitlement system and find a way to get people working and off welfare.

 

Looks like they're already making a killing on free stuff. Would Statehood grant them even more?

 

The article said that only 23 percent of voters voted, and 57 percent of voters boycotted the election. So maybe it's not so cut and dry for Statehood.

 

Yes.

This link has a good summary, but basically if Puerto Rico were a state they would be getting $3.4 billion a year more than what they are getting now.

So in terms of getting more cash goodies, statehood is a good option.

 

Yes they would gain representation which would include a couple senators and a number of representatives. And if they don't already have a sufficient amount of military and police protection, they would gain that as well. Wouldn't infrastructure be maintained by the government as well?

At any rate they have everything to gain and we have everything to lose.

 

Oh I dunno how about they have been dying in American wars right alongside the rest of the states since Korea?

Kindly click the link then go advise one of those PR grandmother's her grandson didn't do anything for America. Except die. That's not enough? Live organ donation maybe will help.

We already give PR billions in aid now so no idea why everyone thinks it's going to be a new thing about our taxpayer dollars. What they don't have is oversight. Their corrupt government hides from our federal and state laws. We need to state them. Then bring the AG in there hard and clean it up

I'm disappointed to see some vets in these threads not remembering that PR men were right there fighting with them sometimes dying for the same ideals they did

https://www.vetfriends.com/memorial/mem_alphab.cfm?War_ID=16&page_id=1&states_id=55

 

Outside of Ultras fine argument which is indisputable. He sounds moderate. I see precious little solid argument from the opposing Right posting on this. I have seen enough so that I can say with some conviction that I see unspoken racism in these comments.

I am not a racist I may not like some aspects of some cultures. Particularly the whole ghetto fabulous lifestyle that permeates the lower income black community. Pants hanging off their arse, crying racism everytime they don't get their way or get slapped by a cop for being a thug, and feeling like that the rest of us owe them something. Thanks Clinton, Thanks Obama. Thats not their skin color that's their lifestyle choice and I don't like it.

Doesn't make me a racist.

I don't like progressive liberal snowflakes as much or more. Buncha hippy no job having perma students living off mommy and daddy who worked for a living. Their self entitlement is worse than the blacks

Now I have two good friends who are Puerto Ricans. From the island. I see them weekly. Their BBQ will give any Texans a run for their money. Their culture is very.. Hmm how can I put this.. Loud I think? They are conservative in their thinking on damn near everything, PROUD of their military service and they share those opinions at high decibel levels. I'm not loud in person so I can't take their passion for life but in small doses.

So yeah I'm sensing a little brown hate up in here. Yeah it's being hidden behind this or that but yep. Racism. That's my opinion.