Democrats 'rigging' Puerto Rico path to statehood?

wnd ^ | April 28, 2010 | Chelsea Schilling

[opentalk]

A move is afoot to grant statehood to Puerto Rico, and a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives tomorrow may put the island on a path to becoming the nation's 51st state.

Democrat Pedro R. Pierluisi, Puerto Rico's pro-statehood delegate to Congress and former co-chair of President Obama's 2008 presidential campaign in Puerto Rico, is sponsor of H.R. 2499, the Puerto Rico Democracy Act. The act has 181 co-sponsors.

"When I introduced this bill, I pledged to undertake every effort to ensure that the people of Puerto Rico finally have the opportunity to express themselves about the island's political status in a congressionally authorized vote," Pierluisi said last week. "Like all the battles I have fought in Congress – from the allocation of ARRA funds for Puerto Rico, to the inclusion of the island in the health-care reform legislation – I have not rested for a single moment. Today I am pleased to say that H.R. 2499 will have its day on the House floor, and I am confident that the legislation will be approved overwhelmingly."

[oh8eleven]

That is because as a Commonwealth, the economic aid they receive in many forms is far greater than what they would get from statehood.
IIRC, PRs get tons of gubmint financial aid, but pay no US taxes.
While I'd like to say that would change w/ statehood, my guess is most PRs would fall into the self-entitled 47% group (and probably making it go over 50%).

[Oldpuppymax]

Gee, I wonder how many sponsors this piece of shite would have had if PR were filled with republican voters??

[cripplecreek]

What they appear to be doing is forcing them into a narrower and narrower box.

They’ll end up with two choices. The one we can’t afford (statehood) or the one they can’t survive. (independence)

[cripplecreek]

The previous times the people of Puerto Rico voted on the issue, in 1967 and 1993, they rejected statehood in favor of commonwealth status.

That's all well and good but things have changed considerably. The democrats wouldn't push this now if they didn't think it would go well for them. For instance, this time they'll be letting former Peurto Ricans vote no matter where they reside. The SEIU has considerable numbers in Puerto Rico and they also have large numbers of Puerto Rican members here.

[MEGoody]

PR has voted numerous times in the past, and has rejected statehood every time.

That's fine by me, but then they should not get any of the rights only a state should have, like voting in Presidential elections.

[SharpRightTurn]

“You mean leaving Puerto Rico as a U.S. territory altogether, no longer under the sovereignty of the Stars and Stripes?”

Yes.

It’s a much better deal for the mainland.

[myknowledge]

You mean simply calling it the Republic of Puerto Rico?

[Iron head mike]

“What next? Virgin Islands? Guam? Wake Island?”
That’s only 54. 0 will still be 3 short of 57. some legacy.

[Windcatcher]

You know that Congress doesn't represent us when they have to seek out non-voters as constituents.

[Chaguito]

I’m betting that this is payback to Pierluisi, a promise made by Obama in the campaign. Pierluisi will soon find himself in good company under the bus.

[ridesthemiles]

This is an attempt to gain millions of new Democrat voters. Nothing more—nothing less.

This country really needs those million on the unemployment rolls, too-——NOT!

[SharpRightTurn]

“You mean simply calling it the Republic of Puerto Rico?”

It doesn’t matter to me what they call it.

I just don’t want to send endless tax dollars there anymore and have an endless stream of migration from that island to the U.S.

They can be their own island country like the Dominican Republic.

[Windcatcher]

Same crap in ‘79-’80. Rats saw the writing on the wall and tried to make PR #51.

[opentalk]

Well said, my guess is there will be more bold attempts to rig the system between now and November .

[cripplecreek]

That's fine by me, but then they should not get any of the rights only a state should have, like voting in Presidential elections.

The new progressive party of Puerto Rico that is pushing this makes it clear that they want their "fair share" of federal money and programs.

[Reeses]

once PR is a state taxes will skyrocket.

Half of households in America pay no federal taxes. Puerto Rico has 1/3rd the income per capita and will pay next to nothing. What may throw their vote: the Earned Income Tax Credit, which is a lump sum $5,657 welfare check every year not currently available to Puerto Ricans.

[counterpunch]

Hey, if we make Peurto Rico the 51st stAte, then we can sell it to the highest bidder and pay down some of the national debt!

I think that’s 0bama’s secret plan.

[Kimberly GG]

“You wouldn’t think the ‘rats would want to bring in Spanish-speaking Republicans to congress.”

You’re joking, right?

[screaminsunshine]

Obinzo wants us to become a province of Cuba.

[Major Matt Mason]

I would think that PR potentially becoming the 51st state would be big news, yet the media is virtually silent on this. Beck is the only one that has talked about it at all, and now we have this article from WND. This lack of coverage shows you just how much of a joke the media really is in this country.