Puerto Ricans opt for statehood in referendum

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- A slim majority of Puerto Ricans want their island to become the 51st U.S. state in a non-binding referendum that would require final approval from Congress.

The two-part referendum asked whether the island favored its 114-year relationship with the U.S. Nearly 54 percent sought to change it, while 46 percent supported the status quo, with 96 percent of precincts reporting as of early Wednesday. Statehood was the favorite option, garnering 61 percent. Sovereign free association, which would have allowed for more autonomy, received 33 percent, while independence got 5 percent.

The I4 corridor in Florida has been spoiled by too many Puerto Ricans and other Hispanics moving in. It used to be that, the republicans could count on the area to vote republican, but, no more. It’s the change in the corridor which helped Obama in 2008, and seemingly in 2012 (although Obama didn’t need Florida to get his victory).

Far too many of those Puerto Ricans moved to the state to get away from high taxes in other states, like NY and Chicago, where they were part of the electorate which voted the high-taxing politicians into office. Now they’re keeping those same idiotic voting habits, while hoping to pay no taxes or keeping them low. That does not compute, but, they’re not thinking things through.

And, BTW, I’m one of those Puerto Ricans who moved away from NY to get away from the high-taxation in the state and NYC. But, I’m a republican who hasn’t voted for any democrat since I was in my early twenties, and I’m way beyond that age now.

Those same people who want low taxes, will also take as much from government as they can, and I know far too many who do depend upon government for many “free things”, or a subsidized lifestyle.

Those people are hurting themselves, but, they can’t be weaned away form the old habits of getting as much as they can from government. Thus, the rest of the country, will be hurt, and so will those government dependents, because, where we’re headed is unsustainable. In fact, it’s unsustainable now as we’re having to borrow about 44 cents for each dollar that the government spends. But, the way a lot of those people see it, and I’ve actually heard some of them say it, “there’s more where that came from and I’m going to get my share”. Which means that, with that kind of attitude, the country is doomed.

I grew up in New York City in a neighborhood that was heavily Puerto Rican. They had about the same number of good and bad people as any other economic-refugee immigrant group...

It would take about 20,000 words for me to even begin to answer you...to address this basic issue.Those 20,000 words would include my immigrant family's multi-generational history (one of my grandparents was born in Ireland and spoke no English when she arrived,nor did her mother) but I'll just leave it at...since they've come here not a single member of that family has *ever* received a penny of government cash except for military pay and *ordinary* Social Security payments (not disability).It never occurred to anyone in my family to expect *any* kind of government largess...even during the Depression.And those Gaelic speakers I mentioned...they learned English...and assimilated... *in a hurry*! Contrast that with the "multi cultural" immigrants of today,many,many,*many* of whom demand that *we* learn *their* language and demand everything from food,shelter,health care and even cell phones from American taxpayers.To see a great example,check out this interview that Obama's Kenyan aunt gave to a Boston TV station a year or two ago.But make sure you've taken your blood pressure medications first or else I guarantee you'll have a fatal stroke.

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