Puerto Rico’s status lies in the hands of Congress

The Hill ^ | 2/01/2006 | Oxford Analytica

[cll]

I am saving this, CG, if you don't mind. The word epiphany does not do your thoughts justice.

I had a similar epiphany. That by being me, an individual, and a hard working an honest one, the American in me would blossom. And it has. I take pride in my brethren who break out of the ghettoes, and pity all who stay behind, no matter what they call themselves.

Dios lo bendiga.

[backtothestreets]

I'm in favor of statehood for Puerto Rico too if that is the choice of a majority of Puerto Rican citizens.

In the meantime, people should appreciate the contributions Puerto Rico makes to our economy. As an example, many of our pharmaceutical giants have manufacturing facilities there. The present Commonwealth status presents a good option to outsourcing manufacturing to other countries.

[quadrant]

Half is a bit of an exaggeration; a third would be a more likely percentage.
However loony these people are, most, with the exception of the Aztlan nuts, accept the legitimacy of the United States and want to be a part of it.
There is a minority in Puerto Rico that doesn't want to be a part of the US and will never be reconciled to it. People of that persuasion will become violent, sooner or later.
It is foolish to inflict that sort of stress onto your political system.

[backtothestreets]

Near as I can tell, no state has ever entered the Union without first being a territory of the United States.

What of Texas which was an independent nation and Maine which was a part of Massachusetts? Neither were ever US Territories.

[backtothestreets]

Including Mexico?

Wouldn't that be keen. We'd finally have the opportunity to crush the corruption in those lands and bring thousands of fugitives from justice to answer for their crimes.

[dvwjr]

Originally posted by: MplsSteve

"Near as I can tell, no state has ever entered the Union without first being a territory of the United States."

Near as I can tell, there were 19. Ah, the benefits of my high school US History class...

I can list a few States that were NEVER Territories of the United States before admission to the Union.

1.) Delaware
2.) Pennsylvania
3.) New Jersey
4.) Georgia
5.) Connecticut
6.) Massachusetts
7.) Maryland
8.) South Carolina
9.) New Hampshire
10.) Virginia
11.) New York
12.) North Carolina
13.) Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
14.) Vermont
15.) Kentucky
16.) Maine
17.) Texas
18.) California
19.) West Virginia

That makes 19 of 50 States which were not admitted to the Union via Territorial Status. There is some debate about Tennesse...

dvwjr

[MplsSteve]

Please read Post #27...

[MplsSteve]

Please read Post #27...

[DakotaGator]

...But I'll still refer you to Justice John Harlan's dissenting opinion in post number 1. How do we fix that?

That's a valid and important question. Before I answer I'll provide a qualifier. I am neither a lawyer nor a constitutional scholar. I am just an American like you who reads and thinks. The "thinking" on my part is also questionable ;-)

Anyhow, the question posed was; "How do we fix that (Justice Harlan's opinion)?" My narrow response is; "We don't because there is nothing to fix." Accepting all you have quoted and represented of Justice Harlan as accurate and complete, his was a minority opinion. It wasn't a judgment. It has no force of law. It is merely the opinion of a learned jurist.

Now I also have an opinion. Though I am not nearly so learned nor respected, my opinion is based on reading, thinking, and experiencing life. My opinion is this; "Sovereign nations by the very nature of their existence will acquire and govern territories and possessions. I further disagree with Justice Harlan that this; "...is wholly inconsistent with the spirit and genius, as well as with the words, of the Constitution." I quote the second paragraph of Section 3 - New States of Article IV - The States of the United States Constitution:

"The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State."

Not only does this paragraph vest Congress with sole power to dispose of and make rules and regulations over Territory and Property belonging to the United States, but it is placed in the section of the Constitution dealing with New States (which is also the sole power of Congress). Therefore, Justice Harlan's dissenting opinion was wrong on point of fact; the Constitution does specifically state with words the power of Congress to govern territory and property.

Further, I disagree with and challenge Justice Harlan's point of opinion that; "The idea that this country may acquire territories anywhere upon the earth, by conquest or treaty, and hold them as mere colonies or provinces...is wholly inconsistent with the spirit and genius...of the Constitution." On the contrary, it was provided for in the Constitution by the very article I cited above. The founding fathers well understood that territory is only gained through treaty (by deed, i.e. District of Columbia, Louisiana Purchase) or conquest. That is so basic that they felt no need to spell it out. But they did spell out that territory/property was to be exclusively governed by Congress.

So, I disagree with Justice Harlan's opinion. My disagreement is based on Constitutional fact. Justice Harlan's opinion is based on a false premise. That's how I see it.

But it is also how I narrowly see it. I agree with Justice Harlan's underlying sentiment of freedom and self-determination. These are basic to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Both are available to the United States Citizens of Puerto Rico.

By virtue of being a Commonwealth, Puerto Rico is a part of the United States. By not being a State, Puerto Rico residents are citizens of the United States but not of one of the Several States of the United States e.g. I am a citizen of both South Dakota and the United States. This status provides Puerto Rico residents an opportunity I do not have, the ability to become a sovereign state not part of the United States. It also gives them the opportunity to become one of the Several States that are part of the United States.

I say to the United States citizens of Puerto Rico; "Seize the opportunity. Petition Congress to become either a State or a Sovereign Nation!" It is time.

Good luck with wading through my response. Hope it didn't put you to sleep!

[dvwjr]

Please see post #146 for a complete list, not just Texas.


dvwjr

[backtothestreets]

Make English the official language of the U.S., via a constitutional amendment.

English is already the language of commerce. As such people seeking to improve their lives have always sought to learn the language, or insist their offspring learn it to have the best opportunity within our nation.

That formula has worked well in our nation for over two centuries. The proof is found simply by looking at a map to find cities with non-English names like Baton Rouge, St. Louis, Sacramento, and St. Augustine, it's clear that no Constitutional Amendment was necessary to bring the original inhabitants to speak English.

The absolute best laws are those which are self imposed, not government imposed. The economy of our nation has always brought people to learn the language of the land.

[backtothestreets]

You get a BIG STAR for drawing out the history buffs. From that sense your post was great for stimulating more involvement from people that might otherwise just read without ever posting a comment.

[JRios1968]

I'm just saying that PRs DO NOT generally intermarry with gringos. They remain separate, unlike most groups in this country that intermarry within two or three generations.

I'll make sure I let my wife know she has, according to you, stopped being a "gringo" woman, even if she's blonde, born and raised in California and her maiden name started with "Mc"

[JRios1968]

Nevertheless, Puerto Ricans (those born and raised on the island) are not CULTURALLY American. They speak Spanish as a first language, watch Univision or Telemundo, play dominoes instead of poker, and actually enjoy dancing. I could go on and on.

Funny...I was always considered by many of my family and friends to be a "gringo" because I spoke English better than 99% of the population, can't understand how to play dominoes, certainly can't dance very well, and I can't stand watching Telemundo or Univision...in fact, I was the main reason my folks got cable TV as soon as it became available in my neighborhood in Puerto Rico, and I lived there my first 24 years. In fact, I even went to college in Puerto Rico. Remember the old proverb: all generalizations are false, including this one.

[CGVet58]

thanks for providing some light on a little known fact; that local government in PR taxes at a horrendous rate. This is a cold hard reality that everyone can understand.

[CGVet58]

No hay de que, compadre.

Viva Puerto Rico, USA!

[bert]

dittos

[bert]

......Mexico is not (presently)a territory of the United States....

[California Patriot]

Republicans would be insane to let PR become a state.

If PR wants to be cut loose in the event statehood is blocked, then by all means, cut it loose.

[cll]

"Good luck with wading through my response. Hope it didn't put you to sleep!"

Not at all. Very well thought out. I'll ponder it further.