Posted on 11/09/2015 7:58:11 AM PST by conservativejoy
Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson on Sunday advocated for Puerto Rico to become the 51st state.
'When you stop and think about it Puerto Ricans have been Americans for a century or more already,' Carson said at a rally on the island for Ricky Rosselló, a gubernatorial candidate in Puerto Rico's New Progressive pro-statehood party.
'You've already paid your dues,' Carson told a cheering crowd. 'There have probably been more patriotic Puerto Ricans than any other state. Look at all the contributions that have been made to America.'
Puerto Rico faces a debilitating $72 billion dollar debt, but Carson said during the rally Sunday that the U.S. commonwealth's debt stems from an 'un-level playing field.'
'If we start treating them like we do everybody else the debts will get much better,' Carson said. 'Hawaii and Alaska also had debt until things took off and that will happen here as well.'
Carson said statehood for Puerto Rico was also a logical defense move because of its location. 'We need unity. We need to be working together and not against each other,' Carson said.
Puerto Rican citizens cannot vote in the general election, but they can participate in primary elections.
Republican presidential candidates Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush have also endorsed statehood for Puerto Rico. About 5 million Puerto Ricans live in the U.S., according to the Pew Research Center.
Nightmare.
lol Because we SO need 2 more Dim Senators.
Go away buffoon. Just go away.
Meanwhile, the Virgin Islands are going, “What are we, chopped liver?”
Carson must have felt tight at home at this Progressive Rally. Between this, his support for TPP and gun control, it is like having Obama running all over again.
Though the Commonwealth government has its own tax laws, Puerto Ricans are also required to pay most U.S. federal taxes, with the major exception being that most residents do not have to pay the federal personal income tax. In 2009, Puerto Rico paid $3.742 billion into the US Treasury.
But I know, don't bother the GOPe attack bots around here with the inconvenient facts. They have their daily GOPe email attack lies to push.
Joining with Jeb! and The Rube, is never a good thing.
So, Carson is advocating two more Dem senators and another Dem state??
What 'kind' of dues are they, Ben? Puerto Ricans don't pay federal income taxes so it can't be 'those' are the 'dues' you're talking about.....what 'dues' are they Ben? Idiot.
Just another pandering, self-absorbed politician.
LOL...and, now....a(nother) bail out, compliments of We the Taxpayer.
Though the Commonwealth government has its own tax laws, Puerto Ricans are also required to pay most U.S. federal taxes, with the major exception being that most residents do not have to pay the federal personal income tax. In 2009, Puerto Rico paid $3.742 billion into the US Treasury.
just pull the plug and let it sink
Of course, Marco and ¡Cheb! would endorse this.
that’s what I always wonder about. Why this fixation on Puerto Rico being a state, but no such talk about the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, etc???
“Everything free in America.”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3357822/posts
Conservativejoy: Boss, they are on to us, what do I do.
Karl Rove: You know the drill. You take the RED pill and we deny we ever heard of you.
You must favor statehood for the District of Columbia then too, if these are the criteria, that someone pays federal taxes. Do you?
Something is not right with Carson.
It doesn’t matter what the consequences are. All that matters is that Puerto Ricans can vote in the primary.
I’m still trying to get MNJohnnie to tell me why he supports TPP. Carson is on board with it.
Q - Why don’t Puerto Ricans have checking accounts?
A - Have you ever tried to sign a check using a can of spray paint?
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