Posted on 03/14/2012 3:39:18 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
Santorum says Puerto Rico must adopt English as official language if it wants statehood By Daniel Strauss - 03/14/12 04:10 PM ET
Rick Santorum said Puerto Rico would have to adopt English as its primary language if it wants to achieve statehood.
"Like any other state, there has to be compliance with this and any other federal law," Santorum told a local newspaper, El Vocero, according to Reuters. "And that is that English has to be the principal language. There are other states with more than one language such as Hawaii, but to be a state of the United States, English has to be the principal language."
The U.S. Constitution does not say that a state has to have English — or any other language — as its official language. Likewise, there is no requirement that a U.S. territory such as Puerto Rico have English as its official language.
Santorum's made the statement during a swing through Puerto Rico, where he is also slated to meet with Puerto Rico Gov. Luis Fortuño (R) an advocate of Puerto Rican statehood. Fortuño endorsed Mitt Romney in late January.
I don’t want them to have statehood anyway. In fact I think its time for some serious decision making on all the territories.
Billions more in Welfare.
He should have said America needs to adopt English as the official language.
But that would be “racist”
But, haven’t you ever wondered why the democrats haven’t pushed through their statehood? Because they are against abortion and against homosexuality!
They are already on welfare! They get our money, but have no representation in our government.
Maybe we should look closer at this possibility. Look at the preamble to their constitution:
“We, the people of Puerto Rico, in order to organize ourselves politically on a fully democratic basis, to promote the general welfare, and to secure for ourselves and our posterity the complete enjoyment of human rights, placing our trust in Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the commonwealth which, in the exercise of our natural rights, we now create within our union with the United States of America.
In so doing, we declare:
The democratic system is fundamental to the life of the Puerto Rican community;
We understand that the democratic system of government is one in which the will of the people is the source of public power, the political order is subordinate to the rights of man, and the free participation of the citizen in collective decisions is assured;
We consider as determining factors in our life our citizenship of the United States of America and our aspiration continually to enrich our democratic heritage in the individual and collective enjoyment of its rights and privileges; our loyalty to the principles of the Federal Constitution; the co-existence in Puerto Rico of the two great cultures of the American Hemisphere; our fervor for education; our faith in justice; our devotion to the courageous, industrious, and peaceful way of life; our fidelity to individual human values above and beyond social position, racial differences, and economic interests; and our hope for a better world based on these principles.”
What percentage will vote Democrat?
Cannot stand RS, but give him credit, he’s right on this and it was a gutsy statement.
Oh yeah, and they get our money, but they don’t get to pay any federal taxes! They don’t want to be a state, why would they. I wish Montana was only a commonwealth...
98%
They already get welfare there. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (direct money payments). Medicaid. Their own version of food stamps called Nutrition Assistance for Puerto Rico (NAP) through the USDA. Supplemental Security Income, administered by the Social Security Administration.
“LOL! Now that brilliant statement will go over big with about 90% of the Hispanic voting block.”
Personally I like a candidate that DOESN’T pander. But then maybe it’s just me.
Soooooooooo......98% would vote Democrat? That leaves 2% for Santorum to antagonize.....why piss of a minority that big? Ah hell.....why not!
Before PR, you need to start with Lowe’s, P&G, General MIlls, and Bank of America...
“Soooooooooo......98% would vote Democrat? That leaves 2% for Santorum to antagonize.....why piss of a minority that big? Ah hell.....why not!”
I have trouble understanding why all Hispanics would DEMAND that Puerto Rico be a Spanish-language state...but maybe others know the answer.
Why does the United States cling to Puerto Rico? We acquired it from Spain as a result of the Spanish-American War of 1898. We kept it as a coaling station for the USN and later because of the Naval Base at Roosevelt Roads and the bombing and gunnery ranges at Vieques Island. The Navy does not need coaling stations for its ships, Rosie Roads and the Vieques Ranges are closed and relocated. Why does the U.S. hang onto Puerto Rico? Give them independence like we did the Philippines.
Guess what, Ricky.... Puerto Rico does not want to become a state of the US.
They’re getting welfare aid from the US and don’t have to pay any taxes to the US!
Everytime it’s been put to a vote by the PRs, they have said “no way”.
Another example of the stupidity of US politicians.
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