Is Puerto Rico an United States state?

Mikey

[Mikey]

I'm having a discussion with a friend who is a liberal and he keeps stating over and over that Puerto Rico is an official state of the United States. I on the other hand keep telling him its a territory NOT a State.

He keeps saying he can prove it, except he never produces any evidence.
I've showed him some older documents on the subject that Puerto Rico is a territory and not a state, but that will not convince him.

Does any Freeper out there in freeland have any recent documents and can prove Puerto Rico is in fact still a territory and not a state or is a state. If yes or no it is a state, provide me with the proper URL so that I verify this.

Shal 'aam
AAPiY
Mike

[SoothingDave]

Virginia, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts are also Commonwealths, yet we are forced to pay federal taxes. What gives here?

Not the same thing at all. These 4 states call themselves "commonwealths" because that is how their founding documents are set up.

Has nothing to do with territories the US has acquired over the years. It's like saying how come a PhD can't prescribe medicine, even though he is a "doctor," too.

[Verginius Rufus]

So we have 46 states and 6 commonwealths—Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Puerto Rico, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

[Ax]

Mikey, if it came down to an IQ contest between your friend and a bag of chicken beaks, I’d go with the chicken beaks.

[SoothingDave]

Not the same thing at all. These 4 states call themselves “commonwealths” because that is how their founding documents are set up.

Has nothing to do with territories the US has acquired over the years. It’s like saying how come a PhD can’t prescribe medicine, even though he is a “doctor,” too.

The 4 states that are technically, internally commonwealths share the exact same status as the 46 states that are technically, internally states.

This has nothing to do with the “commonwealths” that are territories of the US.

Are you that dense?

[Mikey]

Insults aren't necessary.

As far as IQ's are concerned, I've been tested several times and mine averages 133.

[Ax]

Mikey, I wasn’t talking about you. I was talking about the guy who thought that Puerto Rico was a state. Sorry if I misled you.

[Verginius Rufus]

Sheesh...didn't think anyone would think I was serious. I know there is no real difference between a state that doesn't call itself a commonwealth and one that does (being a native of one such commonwealth and a former resident of another)

What I don't know is why the Northern Mariana Islands is a Commonwealth and Guam is not (having belonged to the US much longer).

As far as a PhD being a "doctor," I resemble that remark...but would never venture to prescribe medicine.

[SoothingDave]

Sorry I missed your intent. Stay well.

[ExCTCitizen]

Is your friend Obama?? He thinks we hae 57 states!!!!!

[Impy]

Did you give him a link? Can he read? They have wikipedia in Spanish too. Tell him to call some of his wife’s relatives that aren’t retarded and ask them.

[patriotical]

We as puerto Ricans, are not a state, we are as you may conclude a territory, as for those who frivolously claim the island takes food stamps and other social benefits from the mainland are “frankly” false. Our social services are paid by , taxes, including sales tax, home tax, road tax, vehicle tax. however many whom don’t realize this We can demand to be seated in congress ...see Tennessee. There is a growing constituent of pro state hood occurring. and if you still don’t understand we were very close to gaining statehood ......but thanks to obama its not clear when a vote will take place.We elected a republican governor last go around.That appears to be the reasoning behind us not becoming a state.Yes we pay taxes. both state and federal. Its a toss up in my opinion if statehood will be achieved, We are first and foremost Americans. Secondly puerto ricans, we have one representative who has the right to be heard , but has no voting privilege. as of know its hard to tell.......However NO WE ARE NOT A STATE.........FYI..liberals here want it the way it is and the conservatives want statehood you got it backwards.

[patriotical]

texas

[Impy]

I’m assuming your post isn’t directed at me since I didn’t say anything about welfare and taxes.

[patriotical]

absolutely not impy..........i was speaking in general abstract.........no insult or disrepect implied.

[patriotical]

true but.......you have to have forty quarters in to get that which means he or she whom is declared disabled paid thier taxes . got hurt and was examined by a federal doctor who job it is , is NOT to give you ssda.look at this prospective, nobody wants to be disabled. it doesnt pay enough and its a scam. but i can live a fairly decent life here. housing being the main reason. 2 bedroom apt w two baths lights ac for 400 a month. i looked all over there and its very expensive mainland. i think thats why lots of mainlanders live here like me. i like it. but im originally from the western broward county florida area. non- hispanic. i have to say these people are very nice. i also see more american flags then i ever saw back home.been here 15 years . the cost of living has sky rocketed. food gas hoowey.

no passport required , come on down.

[Nandoww]

By the Way, I live in Puerto Rico. We pay A LOT of Federal taxes here in U.S.Puerto Rico and is a Free Associated STATE, Its like a state. Lets just say; Puerto Rico is like 90% a State. AND!!! We Pay into Social Security and a lot of TAXES (Federal tax, Commonwhealt tax and The State Tax (Puerto Rico tax)) ===WIKIPEDIA=== In 2009, Puerto Rico paid $3.742 billion into the US Treasury. Though the Commonwealth government has its own tax laws, Puerto Ricans are also required to pay most U.S. federal taxes.