Romney, Santorum argue over English as requirement for Puerto Rican statehood

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."

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."

Hate to disagree but the doofii are those who pander American territories that don’t have English as their primary language. Why do you want to balkanize America doofus?

Guess my point was a bit over your head. Santorum continues to get sidetracked by collateral issues that are not on the public's radar now and certainly will mean nothing to the electorate in November. How do you interpret that as an endorsement to balkanize America?

The bottom line is, Santorum can not seem to focus on and articulate the issues that are a direct and immediate threat to the US.

I am surprised that many, particularly older conservatives, are taken in by Santorum's moral proclamations as if that is all it will take to beat Obama. November will be a street fight and nominating a preacher in a sweater vest is not going to get it done. Should Santorum win the nomination he will get his ass handed to him by Obama.

Same for Romney, but for different reasons.

Many conservatives now gloat that Gingrich has been neutralized, but from a pragmatic point of view he was/is the only one on the field who just might have a chance, but apparently he is not moral enough for the holier than thou types.

Those who DENY Constitutional Rights DO NOT RESPECT THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE OR DEMOCRACY!!
Language is a Right that has NOT been delegated, by States, to the federal Government.
I am an American, born and raised in the U.S. Territory of Puerto Rico, actually residing in Virginia. I agree in the implementation of English as the FIRST LANGUAGE on every State, not necessary the ONLY one.
Some of you, obviously ignoring the reality of the Americans in P.R., express your “frustration” by requesting the Independence for the People of Puerto Rico. My question is: DO YOU REALLY KNOW WHAT THE PUERTORRICANS WANT FOR THEIR FUTURE, DO ANYBODY KNOWS??” ANSWER: “The Americans in P.R. has been DISENFRANCHISED OF THEIR VOTING RIGHTA by the US Congress, for been a Territory”. They LACK OF DEMOCRACY,BEEN U.S. CITIZENS SINCE 1917. Their WIIL is DETERMINED, NOT BY THEIR VOTES, BUT BY THE US CONGRESS (see Art. IV. sect. 3, second paragraph of the U.S.Constitution).
These polls (previous local plebicites) that some people refer, has NOT been sponsored by the U.S. Congress; second, all of them have been FRAUDULENT CONTAINING NON-CONSTITUTIONALLY ATTAINABLE STATUS OPTIONS.. But politicians or Mass Media DO NOT TELL YOU THIS!!! WHY??
A LOT of INTENTIONAL MISINFORMATION has been created by the Multi-Nationals who rather prefer to have P.R. as a Territory, by this mean, they would CONTINUE to make BILLION of NON-TAXABLE DOLLARS in Puerto Rico; secondly. those politicians who ARE AFRAID TO MAKE P.R. A STATE BECAUSE OF THEIR POLITICAL POWER IN CONGRESS- Two Senators and EIGHT HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES..
If I were you, I would contact my Senator and Representatives and DEMAND FROM THEM TO SPONSOR A DEMOCRATIC, WITH ONLY CONSTITUTIONALLY STATUS OPTIONS PLEBICITE TO THE AMERICANS RESIDING INPUERTO RICO!!!
If you really want to know what the “Puertorricans” prefer in terms of Status Options. If you do not take these actions, then you are talking “bluff” because you “hate” Puertorricans as a Racist..
If you are NOT RACIST, PLEASE DEMAND THIS PLEBICITE TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS. (Statehood v. Independence ONLY)
THE PEOPLE OF PUERTO RICO WOULD SURPRISE ALL OF YOU!!!

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