Posted on 11/07/2012 6:39:20 PM PST by MinorityRepublican
Voters in Puerto Rico have supported a non-binding referendum to become a full US state.
The measure will require approval from the US Congress, but President Barack Obama has said he will respect the vote.
The island is currently a US territory, which uses the dollar and whose citizens travel on US passports.
But it does not return senators to the US Congress and is represented in Washington by a non-voting delegate.
Almost 80% of the island's electorate took part in the referendum, the fourth in the past 45 years.
With almost all the votes counted, almost 54% voted to change the island's relationship with the US.
And in reply to a second question on what future they favoured, nearly two-thirds wanted full statehood.
If Congress grants its approval, Puerto Ricans would have the right to vote in all US elections, but would also have to pay federal taxes, something at present they are excused from.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
On the Puerto Rico question, why don't you cite Jefferson, who was not against anyone because of their ethnicity, but understood that there was a great disadvantage in confusing Anglo & Hispanic cultures & societies. The reason he cut a Constitutional corner--the one time--was for the Louisiana Purchase, which he justified as necessary to put a buffer between the Amglo coast States & the Hispanic part of the New World.
I believe that I went into this, a bit in a response to George W. Bush on immigration. (Answer To President Bush On Immigration)
If the discussion is not in that essay, it is certainly in one of the links from that essay. (And I am sure you realize that Thomas Jefferson was somewhat smarter than George W. Bush.)
Now specific to Puerto Rico: Is there any discussion in Puerto Rico, today, from which one can infer that they both understand & would defend the principles of the Federal Constitution?
I do not mean giving lip service to what some Leftist pundit suggests was the intent. I mean an actual functional understanding & support for limited Federal Government, with virtually all social issues left to the States. For that is what the Constitution provides. Even the one social issue, sound money, that the Constitution does address, is primarily enforced by the provision that no State can make anything but gold or silver coin a legal tender for payment of debt (Art. I, Sec. 10), which has been effectively rendered unenforceable, as a result of the Federal failure to perform the functional monetary role that it was given, as expected.)
I have nothing against Puerto Ricans. But that does not mean that they are inter-changeable with Americans or any other people; anymore than we are inter-changeable with any other people. The idea of trying to amalgamate the peoples of the earth, in my opinion, is an insult to the peoples of the earth.
William Flax
Just what ARE so-called “Hispanics”?
Is it the Castilian Spanish language, but not the Basque language of Spain? Is it the ‘z’ in the last name? Is it Latinos, but not the original Latins, the Italians? Is it Brazilians, but not Spainards? Is it Cameron Diaz, but not a Peruvian Indian named Jorge or Japanese Peruvian named Alberto Fujimori?
Or is it an erroneously created ethnonym so government mandarins and their progessive enablers in the grievance lobby can arbitarily lump together a heterogenous group of people (see: “Asians”) for the ease of making assumptions and dolling out entitlements and unfounded affirmative action chits in exchange for votes?
I think Lousiana is the only State that doesn’t base their legal system on English Common Law.
I don't like "New Columbia" as the name. Where is "Old Columbia"? Besides, it would have the same initials as North Carolina. Plus, it brings back memories of Jesse Jackson advocating statehood for DC under that name--it's tainted by association with him.
Why not just "Columbia"?
And the average Canadian is $40,000 better off than the average Ameerican.
Well, there is two things we can agree about....
One, not to tkae you seriously....
Two, Cuban cigars.....
BTW, I left off one of my greatest accomplishments....
Long distance swimming, it’s a Cuban heritage requirement....
Under the current system, it will be just another million mouths to feed.
I was on WMAL this morning with Brian Wilson talking about this (at about 6:20am) — talking about DC and Puerto Rico statehood...
:-)
Best to you and Mrs. S....
Make it a State! When 54 percent vote to join the USA when our economy is dying, well that is a good sign. They have a Pro Republican Governor ....thats another sign. Very Catholic, should be accepting of a Pro Life message...IF WE CAN FIND REPUBLICANS WHO CAN ARTICULATE WHY THEY ARE PROLIFE, BESIDES JUST SAYING “I’M PRO LIFE”.
If we can’t defend it, we should promote it.
And definately if we defend it, we should stand and defend those who do.
Make it a State! When 54 percent vote to join the USA when our economy is dying, well that is a good sign. They have a Pro Republican Governor ....thats another sign. Very Catholic, should be accepting of a Pro Life message...IF WE CAN FIND REPUBLICANS WHO CAN ARTICULATE WHY THEY ARE PROLIFE, BESIDES JUST SAYING “I’M PRO LIFE”.
If we can’t defend it, we should promote it.
And definately if we defend it, we should stand and defend those who do.
Excellent post. So much so, in fact, I’m gonna read it again.....
“Puerto Rico has a Republican gov. The one thing I dislike about FR is the constant bashing of Hispanics. There are many of us who are Conservatives, and many more who have served this country honorably in the military.”
Just to let you know, there’s at least one non-Hispanic basher here. I have a great deal of respect for the Hispanics in my neck of Colorado and like them very much as a people. I have Hispanic friends and do lots of business with them. Quite frankly, I don’t really think about it that much.
And yes, there’s plenty of conservative Hispanics here, but unfortunately, there’s even more Obamabot Hispanics as well.
Personally I think they could take Oklahoma and Texas spot....And then we could become the country of Texoma.
LOL.... I would have used a boat.
Well said!
FWIW, talking about military service I believe as a % of the military more medals for valor have been awarded to Puerto Ricans than any other ethnic group.
I chose New Columbia specifically because it could draw in supporters of the old Jesse Jackson plan for DC statehood, and similarly would exclude federal areas from its territory. For this idea to fly, we’re going to need to get support from the DC statehood folks, and if choosing the same name that Jesse selected helps us with that, I’m all for it.
I hadn’t thought of the NC abbreviation thing—you’re right, that might be a problem. I don’t like the name State of Columbia, because not only will it create confusion with the Republic of Colombia (it’s not as much of a problem with Georgia because the Caucasus are so far away), but I would always associate it with the Columbia River, which is in the State of Washington (making it even more confusing). Maybe the State of Potomac (postal abbreviation PO)?
Who is “bashing” Hispanics?
PR has a history of being solidly in the liberal/democrat camp.
Who do their non-voting reps to the House caucus with?
Illegal aliens. . .you bet, we are against that. . .too include ALL illegal aliens.
Hispanics that vote slavishly for the democrats just because they are democrat, and we object, and that makes us Hispanic-bashers?
Reagan was in favor of it, I was about 25 years ago but I do not want to have two more Dem Senators.
What does it mean to be a state? America is one big state at the whim of a quasi-dictator and his merry band of quasi-media meatheads and g’ment hacks.
In my current mood, I’m ready to declare independence myself.
Still, PR is one of the most beautiful places in the world. If you’re crazy enough to want to be a state, welcome.
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