[cll]

"In my opinion, Congress has no existence and can exercise no authority outside of the Constitution. Still less is it true that Congress can deal with new territories just as other nations have done or may do with their new territories. This nation is under the control of a written constitution, the supreme law of the land and the only source of the powers which our government, or any branch or officer of it, may exert at any time or at any place. Monarchical and despotic governments, unrestrained by written constitutions, may do with newly acquired territories what this government may not do consistently with our fundamental law. To say otherwise is to concede that Congress may, by action taken outside of the Constitution, engraft upon our republican institutions a colonial system such as exists under monarchical governments. Surely such a result was never contemplated by the fathers of the Constitution. If that instrument had contained a word suggesting the possibility of a result of that character it would never have been adopted by the people of the United States. The idea that this country may acquire territories anywhere upon the earth, by conquest or treaty, and hold them as mere colonies or provinces,the people inhabiting them to enjoy only such rights as Congress chooses to accord to them,is wholly inconsistent with the spirit and genius, as well as with the words, of the Constitution". - Justice John Harlan, dissenting in the Insular Cases, 1901)

[cll]

Puerto Rico Ping! Please Freepmail me if you want on or off the list.

[Pelham]

” Puerto Rico deserves its star”

Terrible idea.

Let’s trade them to Mexico for Baja.

[blueplum]

now, that’s an idea - send Puerto Rico to Alaska, and build a vacation wonderland on Puerto Rico. Or they could take Hawaii, either or.

[freedumb2003]

If we want a crime-ridden, fiscally irresponsible, bankrupt state we already have Illinois.

PR offers nothing of value to the USA. Not only no to statehood, cut ‘em loose completely and let them be their own country.

[arthurus]

Just what we need! Two more socialist Senators! If PR can be a State, why not DC? Then we can have four more Socialist Senators!

[Paladin2]

Spanish speaking, socialism loving PR should be returned to Spain.

[marron]

Puerto Ricans have been U.S. citizens for a century, but its 3.4 million people are unrepresented in Congress and cannot vote in U.S. presidential elections.

It seems like it should be easy to solve the last half of that sentence. Why shouldn't citizens living in US territory be allowed to vote in federal elections? That would include Guam, and why not other far flung territories that are absolutely part of the US, but far too small to be considered for the normal representation in congress and the senate.

[Old Retired Army Guy]

That’s all we need.... Two more Dem Senators. I think....NOT!

[Magnum44]

There will be a vacancy when Illinois is demoted to a territory...

[simpson96]

Dems would love it re: Congress - it would mean two more Dem Senators, plus Dem Representatives...forever.

[stockpirate]

It’s a failed corrupt socialist country, leave it alone. Only to bring in 2 Democrat senators is why the left supports this move same with DC.

[I want the USA back]

Very very stupid.

[rigelkentaurus]

PR has nothing in common with the US. Give PR a choice - go back to Spain or be independent. If you will not pick, we should pick for them and it should be done this year.

[VideoDoctor]

I thought PR was close to bankruptcy and OWED BILLIONS.

Is this a ploy to become a State for that reason???

[samtheman]

I vote no on this idea.

[48th SPS Crusader]

It’s too far away, statehood opponents would argue, and the culture is too different from the rest of America. Others are concerned the territory won’t be able to earn its keep.

You forgot it is bankrupt and has no means what so ever of recouping the money.

[Vendome]

No

[JamesP81]

Not only should we not grant them statehood, we should not retain them as a possession. Grant independence. America is not supposed to be an empire, and I’m fine with divesting ourselves of the last vestiges of it.

[BenLurkin]

No, they deserve to be indpenedent. Their own nation, proud and free.

[BenLurkin]

No, they deserve to be independent. Their own nation, proud and free.