Puerto Rico votes to become the 51st state of America

[Pakistanian]

https://www.theatlantic.com/news/archive/2017/06/puerto-rico-votes-statehood/529941/

So PR just voted in favor of becoming a state, this is the 5th time they've done that. I wonder if Congress will finally validate this referendum.

 

[Pakistanian]

97% of voters, voted in favor of statehood.

 

[Rayyman]

97% of voters, voted in favor of statehood.

I am not favor.

Mexico can have PR.

 

[Pakistanian]

I am not favor.

Mexico can have PR.

Lol did u get bullied by a loud mouth boricuan?

 

[Rayyman]

Lol did u get bullied by a loud mouth boricuan?

No.

We will get nothing from the Puerto Ricans

Maybe a good baseball player once in a while.

But I believe that their country suits Latin America more than the U.S.

 

[Slog]

man the irony in this thread is through the roof

 

[troodon]

No.

We will get nothing from the Puerto Ricans

Maybe a good baseball player once in a while.

But I believe that their country suits Latin America more than the U.S.

Half of the PR's are already in Florida and Texas. Just annex the territory already.

 

[Nostalgic]

It won't happen, not until the Democrats hold power again. A state would get two senators, irrespective of the size of the state. PR is likely to vote Democratic, and two new Democratic senators potentially shifting the balance of power in the senate isn't something the GOP would countenance.

 

[Rayyman]

Half of the PR's are already in Florida and Texas. Just annex the territory already.

Is there anything to gain?

 

[Saeed]

No.

We will get nothing from the Puerto Ricans

Maybe a good baseball player once in a while.

But I believe that their country suits Latin America more than the U.S.

What do you mean by their country? They have been a U.S. territory since long time.

 

[Slog]

It won't happen, not until the Democrats hold power again. A state would get two senators, irrespective of the size of the state. PR is likely to vote Democratic, and two new Democratic senators potentially shifting the balance of power in the senate isn't something the GOP would countenance.

Why didnt Obama push this in eight years? Esp when he had the house and senate as well

 

[Rayyman]

What do you mean by their country? They have been a U.S. territory since long time.

I am sure they see their land as a separate nation. Just as many Texans did once upon a time.

 

[Pakistanian]

What do you mean by their country? They have been a U.S. territory since long time.

They consider themselves a country/nation. Boricuans are very proud people, a little too proud from experiences with them. They're best exports so far have been Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez.

 

[Pakistanian]

Why didnt Obama push this in eight years? Esp when he had the house and senate as well

We had a recession and are in trillion dollars of debt, while Puerto Rico is a bankrupt island with a huge population outflow and they're looking for a bailout. America wasn't in shape of bailing out PR back then. Another reason is that PR would be the only state where English is not the main language, that bothers many racist Republicans.

 

[Pakistanian]

It won't happen, not until the Democrats hold power again. A state would get two senators, irrespective of the size of the state. PR is likely to vote Democratic, and two new Democratic senators potentially shifting the balance of power in the senate isn't something the GOP would countenance.

This is what we need.

 

[Pakistanian]

Half of the PR's are already in Florida and Texas. Just annex the territory already.

They got a huge community in NYC as well.

 

[Nostalgic]

Why didnt Obama push this in eight years? Esp when he had the house and senate as well

He had both house and senate from 2008-2010, and I guess during that period he was preoccupied with healthcare.

 

[Slog]

We had a recession and are in trillion dollars of debt, while Puerto Rico is a bankrupt island with a huge population outflow and they're looking for a bailout. America wasn't in shape of bailing out PR back then. Another reason is that PR would be the only state where English is not the main language, that bothers many racist Republicans.

the debt is not an actual economic argument. just a talking point.

recession was over in 2009

in any case as nostalgic says that it is a political issue, not an economic one. So if there was political expedience in having PR as 51st state and it was as simple as a vote in congress, democrats would have gone with that.

Im sure its more complex. (maybe a constitutional amendment?)

 

[Slog]

also mind you the turnout in this referendum was less than 25%

 

[Black Zero]

It won't happen, not until the Democrats hold power again. A state would get two senators, irrespective of the size of the state. PR is likely to vote Democratic, and two new Democratic senators potentially shifting the balance of power in the senate isn't something the GOP would countenance.

My immediate manager does not want any new state as it would mess up stars in the flag.

 

[Nostalgic]

My immediate manager does not want any new state as it would mess up stars in the flag.

51-star variants of the flag exist, and they are fairly symmetrical, or at least as symmetrical as once can be with 51 stars. But I suppose at some point, they'll have to change all the flags used for official purposes. I wonder what the logistics and budget for such an exercise would be.

On the other hand, companies that sell flags would reap a bumper profit. Which reminds me, it's probably a good idea to buy stock in those companies, just in case.

 

[sjahmed23]

Why would USA want Puerto Rico?

 

[Obeid]

They consider themselves a country/nation. Boricuans are very proud people, a little too proud from experiences with them. They're best exports so far have been Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez.

A-ROD is Dominican.

 

[Pakistanian]

A-ROD is Dominican.

I think he's half Puerto Rican

 

[Pakistanian]

A-ROD is Dominican.

You're actually right, he's fully Dominican.

 

[Robert]

No.

We will get nothing from the Puerto Ricans

Apart from their military service, without their ability to elect the President? Wrong wrong wrong - basically they are slaves.

 

[Specialisttailender]

Why would USA want Puerto Rico?

But Puerto Rico wants to be part of USA. Their economy will improve and they can move to US legally as they will be US citizens.

 

[Nostalgic]

But Puerto Rico wants to be part of USA. Their economy will improve and they can move to US legally as they will be US citizens.

They already are citizens. They can move to the US legally without passports or visas etc.

 

[sjahmed23]

But Puerto Rico wants to be part of USA. Their economy will improve and they can move to US legally as they will be US citizens.

But what benefit does that give to the US?

 

[Specialisttailender]

They already are citizens. They can move to the US legally without passports or visas etc.

Didn't know. Thanks.

 

[Specialisttailender]

But what benefit does that give to the US?

Land ? I dont know to be honest.

 

[Nostalgic]

But what benefit does that give to the US?

Land ? I dont know to be honest.

Depends on what we mean by "US." For Democrats, it is a massive benefit. Like I've said before, every state, whether it is California or Wyoming, gets two senators. Smaller states are therefore massively over-represented. Two new senators would potentially shift the balance of power in the senate, since being majority Hispanic, both Puerto Rico senators are likely to be Democrats.