Private Action for Philippine Statehood (Want to become 51st State)

The Expansionist Party ^ | Fall 2004

[The Loan Arranger]

What We Propose. The Expansionist Party ("XP") advocates reannexation of the Philippines, a former U.S. colony, to the United States, but this time as up to three States of the Union: Luzon, Mindanao (the two largest islands, in the far north and south respectively) and the Visayas (the islands in between). We feel this is the only thing certain to secure both political and social democracy for the archipelago and set its people on the road to fairly distributed prosperity. We also believe the Philippines can help restore perspective and purpose to a U.S. that has lost sight of its original, revolutionary dedications: liberty and justice for all, not just for people within the present 50 states but for all people who need liberty and justice, everywhere in the world.

Philippine nationalism may seem a "nice" idea, but independence is a very hard road that leads to an uncertain destination. Recent events in the economy of East Asia have demonstrated that small countries have no economic security, no matter how rapid their short-term growth may be, because they are helpless before powerful forces of the world economy. What is the point of trying to be a new East Asian "Tiger" if even the older and more prosperous Tigers are utterly insecure economically?

The Philippines has been independent for over 53 years, if one counts only the period since the U.S. withdrew on July 4, 1946. Oddly, the Philippines has decided to ignore its years as a colony of the United States and count its independence from 1898. The Philippine Centennial Commission dates things this way:

[The Loan Arranger]

Hmmmm...what are your thoughts? Please, no racist posts, they are beneath us, leave those to the Democrats.

[Pyro7480]

The Muslim and Communist problems would have to be solved first.

[2banana]

Will they add to the tax base or be a drain on the treasury...?

[bahblahbah]

Considering they seem pretty cozy to the Chi-coms and they kicked our military out, there is more chance of Antarctica becoming a US state than the Philipines.

[So Cal Rocket]

It would add 6 Dem senators.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

English only countries.

If we have to go to 51 states, Why not lump some of these tiny left wing New England States to go together as one state?

[Toddsterpatriot]

Hmmmm...what are your thoughts?

This is a good idea!! We don't have enough Americans sponging off the tax payer, let's bring in 86 million more!!!

[Semper Paratus]

Don't think they would be a 'Red' State.

[Bikers4Bush]

Hell no, the place is unstable and full of commies.

[shekkian]

We feel this is the only thing certain to secure both political and social democracy for the archipelago and set its people on the road to fairly distributed prosperity.

What do you mean by that?

[areafiftyone]

As long as they take care of the terrorist groups that are there first.

[Toddsterpatriot]

Will they add to the tax base or be a drain on the treasury...?

GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $4,600

Drain, enormous, unbelievable drain.

[MEG33]

Why would this even be proposed..

[Pyro7480]

Uh, most people in the Phillipines already speak English.

[FoxInSocks]

We also believe the Philippines can help restore perspective and purpose to a U.S. that has lost sight of its original, revolutionary dedications: liberty and justice for all, not just for people within the present 50 states but for all people who need liberty and justice, everywhere in the world.

I went to Manila ten years ago, and I don't have much faith in their providing any useful "perspective and purpose to [the] U.S." Besides, 50 is a nice, even number.

And I'm against a world government, even if it's proposed to be the U.S. government.

[zbigreddogz]

My gut reaction is that it's not a good idea. It's too far away, too culturally different, and has too many interest that would conflict with the rest of the nation.

I suppose some people made that argument with Hawaii, but in Hawaii isn't nearly as far away, and hasn't had the same sort of deep-rooted cultural differences. Hawaii was isolated from the rest of the world, while the Philippines is smack dab in the middle of a different section of it.

[D Rider]

The real problem is that it would be too hard to fit on the quarter: "The United States of America and Southeast Asia." What then, If Liberia wants in? "The United States of America and Southeast Asia and East Africa."

This thing could get very complicated, very quickly.

[cripplecreek]

It's certainly a mixed bag. One thing that concerns me is the fact that any terrorists in that country would suddenly become US citizens with all the rights and privileges.

[The Loan Arranger]

There are many terrorists already that are US citizens (Jose Padillo, the American Talliban, the DC Snipers, .05% of Michigan, etc). Imagine having 86 million more people paying into FICA!

[Toddsterpatriot]

Imagine having 86 million more people paying into FICA!

Right, when your Ponzi scheme is running low, just add more suckers!!