Posted on 04/23/2002 11:22:12 AM PDT by Walkin Man
Those were sailors!
And how exactly have they done that? By attacking our Marines? By protesting the use of our military base? By leeching billions of our tax-payer dollars? With their miserable one-crop agricultural economy? With their huge percentage of welfare families? With their special exemption from paying any taxes?
Just because there are some honorable and hard-working people in some nation or territory does NOT mean that we are responsible for for their upkeep, nor does it give them the opportunity to vote themselves into our nation.
It's curious how the opinions of 300 million Americans don't seem to matter much to you, only the opinions of 50%+1 of those responsding to a statehood vote on some impoverished island. As you can see from the responses, many Americans aren't anxious to add a third-world economy to our nation. Apparently, though, we taxpayers (you know, those who are paying the bills down in PR) don't get any say in this process in your scenario.
That "third-world economy" has been U.S. soil for over a century, and the people have been U.S. citizens since 1917.
Although the Puerto Rican economy and standard of living shines in comparison to other Carribean islands, it is disgraceful considering the long-term relationship it has had with the United States. It is also a severe stain on the globalist theory that trade will improve third-world conditions in countries such as Mexico, China, Indonesia, Pakistan, etc. etc.
Puerto Ricans ARE U.S. Citizens. We need to take care of Americans First!!!
And those billions annually aren't enough? Now you're adding your voice to the liberal cacophony of "More programs!", "Help the poor with more tax money!", and "Every NEED must be met!" Karl Marx would be proud.
That doesn't mean that there isn't anything government can do to facilitate economic development.
Puerto Rico is a relatively small, but densely populated island. A few basic infrastructure improvements could easily improve conditions throughout the island.
One of the easiest to implement would be for Congress to exert its authority over MLB to place an expansion team in San Juan. (Dubya could also utilize his personal connections as a former MLB team owner to facilitate this.) Perhaps toss in a new stadium (favored by both political parties) that could host the All Star game on the 4th of July in it's premier season. Wala: ties are solidified through our national pastime and boosts Puerto Rico's tourist economy!!! You can bet your bippy they won't be singing O Canada! at the ballgame!!!
Other basic infrastructure improvements could include assuring their water supply / sewage treatment systems are ship-shape, perhaps build 'em a desalination plant if they need one.
As far as energy supply, they're 98% dependent on fossil fuel, which isn't good for a small island economy. A nuclear power plant would certainly help them out, but a bunch of windmills wouldn't be too wasteful if that's what they prefer, it IS a small island afterall. The only rail line they have is only 57 miles long, built for hauling sugar cane, not passengers. So toss in a modest, electricly powered light-rail system to accommodate local-mass-transit as well as tourism... Shazzam! Puerto Rico is launched well on it's way to statehood economic parity with those on the mainland!!!
See, that's not too difficult, is it?
Reading old posts about Puerto Rico. God bless you.
CLl
Just telling the truth.
Nevertheless, hope all is well down down in Boricuaville. Have fond memories of a lovely chica from Rio Piedras.
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