It's all about SOCIAL JUSTICE
Posted on 04/29/2010 10:44:57 AM PDT by Red Steel
WASHINGTON — The House on Thursday took up legislation that could set in motion changes in Puerto Rico's 112-year relationship with the United States, including a transition to statehood or independence.
The House bill would give the 4 million residents of the island commonwealth a two-step path to expressing how they envision their political future.
Initially, eligible voters, including those born in Puerto Rico but residing in the United States, would vote on whether they wish to keep their current political status or opt for a different direction.
If a majority are in favor of changing the current situation, the Puerto Rican government would be authorized to conduct a second vote and people would choose among three options: statehood, independence and sovereignty in association with the United States. Congress would have to vote on whether Puerto Rico becomes a state.
Pedro Pierluisi, Puerto Rico's non-voting delegate to the House, said that while the island has had votes on similar issues in the past, Congress has never authorized a process where Puerto Ricans state whether they should remain a U.S. territory or seek a nonterritorial status.
-snip-
Puerto Rico became a U.S. territory at the end of the Spanish-American War. Those born on the island were granted U.S. citizenship in 1917 and Puerto Rico gained commonwealth status in 1952.
Today, Puerto Ricans serve in the military but can't vote in presidential elections. They do not pay income tax on income earned on the island.
In the last referendum, "none of the above" garnered 50 percent of the vote, topping the other options including statehood at 46.5 percent and independence at 2.5 percent.
(Excerpt) Read more at google.com ...
What about the other US territories, then?
“Initially, eligible voters, including those born in Puerto Rico but residing in the United States”
Hey! Can I still vote in the state I was born in? Or am I limited to voting in the state that I legally reside in?
I read somewhere that there are more Puerto Ricans living off the island than on, so this is going to greatly skew the results.
They've been a territory for over 100 years. It's time to fish or cut bait.
If they want to be a State, then great. Welcome to the party.
If not, then let them cut the ties and say goodbye. It's their choice. It's time they made it.
They aren't exactly 90 miles from our shores. We should lease our military bases for the next 200 years and then cut them loose. If we don't have a military base, then we should just say goodbye. If they want to be Americans, then they can move here. Maybe they can replace some of the Illegal Aliens we deport.
They got the best of both worlds now. I don’t see any reason why they would want to change it. To me this is much ado about nothing.
I don’t have a problem either of admitting PR into the union. But where is the transparency, where is the national discussion?
Is every bill in this administration done “undercover”?
Frankly, if I were in PR, the last thing I’d want to do is become a state.
I would love to admit Poland into the Union. Or some other freedom-loving country... as well as PR, if they so choose.
(as an aside, my dtr in law is PR. LOVE LOVE LOVE her and her family. I’m not racist. I just have a problem with this rushing everything through with no discussion.)
“You think they’ll give up a free ride on income tax in exchange for a right to vote for president?”
The percentage of people who would qualify for Earned Income Credit checks on the island is very significant. They’d get a check every year, and get to vote for the guy who’ll keep the checks coming.
http://www.yourmoneycounts.com/ymc/tools/article/022009_earned_income_tax_credit.html
Currently our protectorates do not qualify. But if there are a million people who do, and the average payout is $2000...
Doesn’t this look a little like Card Check?
Some thoughts:
1. Do the *Communist Traitors* actually believe that they can ram this through before the people in PR can find out about it? Besides thw fact that we can filibuster in the Senate, besides that we have the winning argument—put ALL choices on ANY ballot—you can’t even THINK “PR statehood” without it becoming front-page news all across the island. Stealth? The Rats are hitting the bong WAY too hard.
2. When this blows up in their faces (and it will), it will be painfully obvious to everyone with a pulse that Congress does NOT represent the American people. If they have to proposition every non-citizen or non-voter like $10 crack-whores to beg for votes, they do NOT represent We the People. What’s next? Guam? Liberia (because we have a “history” don’t you know)? The farce is almost comical.
3. This proves two things: the unholy Armageddon the Rats are facing in six months, and their desperation to avoid it. The Republic has never been in greater danger. As the time of reckoning approaches, the Communists will become even more brazen. They are in “use it or lose it” mode. We should expect the unexpected.
: > )
Jim Gerlach-Pa is one and I called his office yesterday to voice my opposition.What a bunch of idiots we have for a Congress. With few exceptions, they all need to go away.
Has there been any word yet on the results of the vote?
They are still jabbering at each other. Insisting that one of the options on the ballot in PR be
NONE OF THE ABOVE
NONE OF THE ABOVE
If I remember correctly, Glenn Beck said last night that this was one of the options the last time they voted on this in PR and got the overwhelming majority of the vote.
None of the Above got about 51% of the vote.
Go figure.
Go figure.
And yet we weren't given that option in our last presidential election.
“Leftist power forever!” is what this is really all about.
It is being reported on Foxnews that it has passed.
they will have to start paying INCOME TAXES if they do... i don't think they want to drop that free ride welfare ticket yet
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.