Posted on 03/16/2012 12:59:06 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Rick Santorum's contention that in order for Puerto Rico to become a state English must be its principal language drew criticism Thursday from the U.S. territory's sole representative in Congress.
"Santorum's view is narrow and a limiting view of what America is all about," said Pedro Pierluisi, a Democrat, on CNN's "Starting Point." "English is the predominant language in the U.S. and will continue to be so, whether Puerto Rico becomes a state or not."
Puerto Rico will vote in November on a referendum regarding possible statehood.
While campaigning Wednesday ahead of the island's primary on Sunday, Santorum told a newspaper that for Puerto Rico to become "a state of the United States, English must be the principal language."
There is currently no law declaring an official language of the United States, though several attempts have been made to give English that designation. Thirty-one states have passed laws mandating English as their official language. The Constitution also makes no mention of a language test for territories or properties that wish to become states.
Both English and Spanish are official languages of Puerto Rico, though Spanish is by far the dominant language on the island.
Santorum was spending a second day in Puerto Rico on Thursday, courting voters ahead of the primary. Asked about his comments on Thursday, Santorum told CNN, "English has to be learned as a language. It has to be a country where English is widely spoken and used. Yes."
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Romney's campaign issued a statement on Thursday contrasting his position on the issue with Santorum's. "Puerto Rico currently recognizes both English and Spanish as the official languages of the commonwealth," said Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul. "Governor Romney believes that English is the language of opportunity and supports efforts to expand English proficiency in Puerto Rico and across America. However, he would not, as a prerequisite for statehood, require that the people of Puerto Rico cease using Spanish."
“Santorum’s view is narrow and a limiting view of what America is all about,” said Pedro Pierluisi, a Democrat
A non-issue in the campaign.
I doubt these 2 are really fighting over Puerto Rico. It represents so few votes. What the fight is really about is the hispanic vote in America, the ‘process’ for becoming a citizen, and what the cultural impact of non-english speaking immigrants (illegal or legal) have on the middle class.
I would think the president should weigh in. He believes all cultures are equal. Therefore, a language from his home would be appropriate.... Swahili. But then again, he is a ardent admirer of Urdu...
Then America needs to follow with some states being German, some Italian, some French, some English. It all makes perfect Obomination sense, anything other than what made America the successful place it was.
Just as long as we don’t stay focused on the economy and Obama.
We’re actually allowing questions like Puerto Rico statehood and English as the official language to even enter the debate? Good grief!
Are our politicians really this stupid, that they can’t steer the debate back to the central issues: the economy, oil prices, ObamaCare, and jobs.
I don’t care what the question is or who asked it. The answer should be about the economy, oil prices, ObamaCare, and jobs.
Cut PR loose... no more funds and no more welfare and they can be totaly free and independent of evil America.
LLS
While I agree with Santorum, IMO, the bigger issue of PR statehood is getting them to take a position one way or the other. Frankly, I’d just as soon they go the other way than vote for statehood.
We have carried PR for way too long as a territory and need to force them to either fish or cut bait. Currently, they have all of the benefits of statehood with NONE of the responsibilities.
While some of my best friends are Puerto Ricans, I would still ask PR get off the d@mn pot and make a decision - statehood, or sovereign nation!!
Why statehood?
Just declare INDEPENDENCE — The Republic of Puerto Rico.
The Philippines was once a Commonwealth of the USA, they have been independent since 1945. Some 70 years later, it si still a thriving Democracy and VERY FRIENDLY to America.
Can you imagine two more liberal Spanish speaking Senators and several Congressmen from Puerto Rico voting for more goodies and pork?
Can you imagine a Puerto Rican Harry Reid as majority leader of the Senate?
Why not just declare your own country and leave the USA... Learn from the Philippines.
Because that's what's been on the table for decades. They've had several votes up or down and managed to keep the vote right at about 50% both ways. So, the situation remains status quo. BTW, I agree with you, I'd just as soon see them be cut loose.
As for the PI, have you ever been there? I have. I love the country and the people and have never traveled anywhere else where I have encountered such depths of poverty. Following the US pullout of the PI after Mt. Pinatubo blew and then-president Aquino decided to raise the rents on the US bases to an amount we refused to pay, life in the PI got VERY hard. That's not to say that it was any sort of picnic for the Filipinos while we were there but, at least, there was a steady source of money coming into the island.
Since we pulled out, they have managed to remain independent, but they are, essentially, limping along. There isn't much of a gross domestic product to export and the lack of strong industrial base coupled with a workforce that lacks a lot of skills necessary for capital investment makes the PI a weak target for outside development.
While I do not wish the same for PR, I do wish they would simply make a decision one way or the other and just move on!!
Because that's what's been on the table for decades. They've had several votes up or down and managed to keep the vote right at about 50% both ways. So, the situation remains status quo. BTW, I agree with you, I'd just as soon see them be cut loose.
As for the PI, have you ever been there? I have. I love the country and the people and have never traveled anywhere else where I have encountered such depths of poverty. Following the US pullout of the PI after Mt. Pinatubo blew and then-president Aquino decided to raise the rents on the US bases to an amount we refused to pay, life in the PI got VERY hard. That's not to say that it was any sort of picnic for the Filipinos while we were there but, at least, there was a steady source of money coming into the island.
Since we pulled out, they have managed to remain independent, but they are, essentially, limping along. There isn't much of a gross domestic product to export and the lack of strong industrial base coupled with a workforce that lacks a lot of skills necessary for capital investment makes the PI a weak target for outside development.
While I do not wish the same for PR, I do wish they would simply make a decision one way or the other and just move on!!
My two cents worth: ENGLISH only - otherwise stay out. This political correctness garbage has got to go. In order to vote in this country you must be a citizen. In order to be a citizen in this country you must speak English. ‘nuff said. Dual language ballots, etc., just costs extra money and must stop. Why do we do these things?
This is all just so much Bull$hit...PR doesn't want to be a state, and with the current bunch of A$$holes in Washington, probably nobody else does either. Well...maybe "East Buttpucker" so they can get unemployment, wellfare, foodstamps, grants, and stimulous. Then they will all vote for "O".
Yep - and probably legally indefensible. I wish our guys (Rick and Newt, but mainly Rick) would stop and think before they esposed certain opinions/philosophies. All this does is stir up both sides and it accomplishes nothing of value.
Correct — this is the next “wag the dog” salvo (like contraception) to portray Conservatives as “anti-Latino”...
Good grief, don’t we have bigger issues than this?
Who votes for these guys?
JB
You do understand Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, right? That's been so since 1917.
Don't have much to say about Santorum's narrow view of America, but it is clear that he can't keep from getting sidetracked by superfluous bull shit non-issues. What a doofus! We are so Screwed!
Well, once again Santorum is correct and Romney is pandering using language and idioms that a large percent of Puerto Ricans no comprendes.
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