Poll
Question:
Should Puerto Rico Become the 51st State?
Option 1: Statehood
votes: 19
Option 2: Status Quo
votes: 3
Option 3: Sovereign Free Association
votes: 0
Option 4: Independence
votes: 8
:punk:
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http://news.yahoo.com/puerto-rico-governor-submit-status-referendum-223217843.html
QuotePuerto Rico governor to submit status referendum
APBy DANICA COTO - Associated Press | AP – 2 hrs 12 mins ago
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The governor of Puerto Rico announced Tuesday that he will present local legislators with a plan for a two-part referendum next year to decide the political future of the U.S. territory once and for all.
In a surprise televised address, Gov. Luis Fortuno said "the moment has come" to decide Puerto Rico's final status.
The announcement comes just days after U.S. President Barack Obama was criticized for saying the island would remain a commonwealth if there was not a clear, overwhelming majority leaning toward a different option.
Critics noted that Obama had earlier said he would support any outcome decided by Puerto Rican voters.
In the 20-minute message, Fortuno said he would push ahead unilaterally with his decision.
"Let's be clear: neither Congress nor the president, nor any other power on earth can stop Puerto Rico from expressing itself freely and democratically about its preference regarding its political status," Fortuno said. "Congress did not act, but we will act."
Fortuno, whose New Progressive Party supports statehood, said he will present legislation on Wednesday that would allow islanders to vote on Aug. 12, 2012 whether they want a change in status. If they want a change, voters would choose one of three options in a second referendum to be held during the November 2012 general elections.
The three options would be statehood, independence, or a sovereign free association, which differs from the current commonwealth status.
Puerto Rico's House of Representatives and Senate will have to debate the proposed legislation.
Puerto Ricans have previously voted on the status issue in referendums issued in 1967, 1993 and 1998, no clear majority emerged and the status quo has remained.
Members of the Popular Democratic Party, which supports the status quo, blasted Fortuno's proposal.
Sen. Eduardo Bhatia said it would do nothing except divide an island that is fighting a near-record number of killings and the highest unemployment rate compared with any U.S. state.
"This will be a struggle between tribes," Bhatia said in a phone interview, referring to political parties. "This is not what Puerto Rico needs at the moment."
He said his party would be preparing several rebuttals to Fortuno's proposal.
The party issued its own statement saying that a similar proposal had previously been rejected by the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
Meanwhile, the leader of the island's minority independence movement embraced Fortuno's announcement, saying he and others had sought a similar referendum since 2005.
"This represents a triumph not only for the Independence Party, but for the citizens of Puerto Rico," Fernando Martin, the party's executive president, said in a phone interview. "We know that in Puerto Rico there is a large majority that disagrees with the colonial character of the current status."
Commonwealth status grants Puerto Ricans U.S. citizenship but bars them from voting for president, and their congressional representative cannot vote either.
In March, a federal task force charged with analyzing the island's status supported creation of a different referendum that would first ask voters if they wanted to be part of the U.S. or become independent. If they chose ties with the U.S., they would be given statehood or the current commonwealth as options. If they opted for independence, they would choose between free association and independence.
The Aug. 12 vote also would coincide with a constitutional amendment proposal to shrink the size of Puerto Rico's legislature by more than 25 percent.
Geez about time. Become a State or GTFO.
:) Cool. Our 51st state, with any luck.
stupidest flag ever.
Well, at least states like Mississippi and Alabama will be able to look down on an even shittier state. I don't think it'll pass though.
I thought they did this every decade or so? If they do vote for statehood then I imagine we'll have to buy all new flags. Then Guam will want in.
There's no sacred rule that says the flag would have to change.
Tim, stop fucking with Wikipedia.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2F7%2F7d%2FCANADA_AND_USA.gif&hash=47af1f390a35513231b9819948165e277475e3f1)
Quote from: Ideologue on October 04, 2011, 10:21:48 PM
Tim, stop fucking with Wikipedia.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2F7%2F7d%2FCANADA_AND_USA.gif&hash=47af1f390a35513231b9819948165e277475e3f1)
Excellent prediction for the future. :cheers:
Quote from: 11B4V on October 04, 2011, 11:11:52 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on October 04, 2011, 10:21:48 PM
Tim, stop fucking with Wikipedia.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2F7%2F7d%2FCANADA_AND_USA.gif&hash=47af1f390a35513231b9819948165e277475e3f1)
Excellent prediction for the future. :cheers:
:rolleyes:
though you're welcome to Hispaniola though.
This is silly. There can only be an even number of states. If PR gets in, we need to amalgamate all the remaining miscellaneous shitty territories into a single state. The capital can be whatever the capital of Guam is, and it can be the slave state.
Quote from: Barrister on October 04, 2011, 11:14:59 PM
Quote from: 11B4V on October 04, 2011, 11:11:52 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on October 04, 2011, 10:21:48 PM
Tim, stop fucking with Wikipedia.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2F7%2F7d%2FCANADA_AND_USA.gif&hash=47af1f390a35513231b9819948165e277475e3f1)
Excellent prediction for the future. :cheers:
:rolleyes:
though you're welcome to Hispaniola though.
God you're so racist.
Quote from: Grinning_Colossus on October 04, 2011, 11:20:20 PM
This is silly. There can only be an even number of states. If PR gets in, we need to amalgamate all the remaining miscellaneous shitty territories into a single state. The capital can be whatever the capital of Guam is, and it can be the slave state.
That is why we refused to let Rhode Island join there for awhile. 12 just seemed right.
Of course The Star Spangled Banner had 15 stars :hmm:
That's different. We didn't have a choice in the beginning. :P Anyway, we added those boozy Vermonters as soon as their own crappy country crapped out.
51 works out pretty easily as far as the flag is concerned. 17 x 3, so you have alternating rows of 8 and 9 stars.
I say we let them in just as soon as their primary schools start conducting their classes in English. :P
No more than 50 states allowed!
Merge the Dakotas first if this is to occur please.
Quote51 works out pretty easily as far as the flag is concerned. 17 x 3, so you have alternating rows of 8 and 9 stars.
Shame, I really prefer the circular version
QuoteI thought they did this every decade or so? If they do vote for statehood then I imagine we'll have to buy all new flags. Then Guam will want in.
Nice bit of economic stimulus for the textiles and printing industries!
Run Puerto Rico!
GTFO while you still can!
Quote from: HVC on October 04, 2011, 09:52:29 PM
stupidest flag ever.
stupidest thread starter ever.
I actually like that flag quite a bit. It resembles the Betsy Ross flag and suggests that we've come full circle (ha-ha-ha).
How big is PR's debt?
Quote from: Tyr on October 05, 2011, 12:43:32 AM
No more than 50 states allowed!
Fuck you, asshole.
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 05, 2011, 08:15:01 AM
How big is PR's debt?
Probably a drop in the bucket of the debt the US already has.
Quote from: HVC on October 05, 2011, 10:40:10 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 05, 2011, 08:15:01 AM
How big is PR's debt?
Probably a drop in the bucket of the debt the US already has.
My understanding is that their government budget is actually in pretty decent shape. But as a territory, they get a bunch of money from the federal government that they might not get as a state. OTOH, maybe they still would get it anyway Their overall economy isn't in good shape at all, so...
What do they pay in taxes down there? I was under the impression they had a smaller tax burden do to their status.
I voted Statehood but any of the three choices seems a good change from the status quo now. I think I'd like to see PR become a State though.
Don't American school children already have enough trouble remembering 50 States?
Per capita GDP is ~24,000 -- which is higher than I thought, but still about 12k less than Mississippi's. The Gini coefficient is much worse than the mainland's, though. PR state would the the recipient of a *lot* of federal entitlement spending.
Plus two more blue senators would help prevent the Senate from falling under the destructive influence of the Tea Party.
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Quote from: MadImmortalMan on October 05, 2011, 06:06:06 PM
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:lol:
It needs a few more frames with the solar system, galaxy, local cluster, etc.
Tim's left nut just exploded in ecstasy.
Quote from: Ideologue on October 04, 2011, 10:21:48 PM
Tim, stop fucking with Wikipedia.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2F7%2F7d%2FCANADA_AND_USA.gif&hash=47af1f390a35513231b9819948165e277475e3f1)
Canada annexes the US? :bowler:
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 05, 2011, 08:13:44 PM
Canada annexes the US? :bowler:
Not as full citizens. They've shown they can't handle the responsibility.
No way do Yukon, NWT, and Nunavut get 2 senators each.
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on October 06, 2011, 01:19:04 AM
No way do Yukon, NWT, and Nunavut get 2 senators each.
We can just keep them as territories, like American Samoa.
Quote from: Tonitrus on October 06, 2011, 01:30:18 AM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on October 06, 2011, 01:19:04 AM
No way do Yukon, NWT, and Nunavut get 2 senators each.
We can just keep them as territories, like American Samoa.
No need to take cheap shots at American Samoa like that. :mad:
Quote from: Tonitrus on October 06, 2011, 01:30:18 AM
We can just keep them as territories, like American Samoa.
Territories were just a political stopgap to facilitate colonization of the continent. It should not be a permanent political status. Having populated areas without representation in Congress and a voice in the Presidential election is against the fundamental principles of this country IMO.
Either they need to become states, join existing states, be let go, or we need to invent some other political status where they are not states but have more of the rights of a state.
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on October 06, 2011, 01:19:04 AM
No way do Yukon, NWT, and Nunavut get 2 senators each.
You are - correct. Each of the territories has a single senator. :Canuck:
Canada could enter the union as 4 states -- 'Ontario,' 'French Canada,' 'Maritime Canada,' and 'Canada (other).'
Quote from: Grinning_Colossus on October 06, 2011, 09:29:20 AM
Canada could enter the union as 4 states -- 'Ontario,' 'French Canada,' 'Maritime Canada,' and 'Canada (other).'
How about just one big state, like Texas?
Quote from: Tonitrus on October 06, 2011, 05:51:17 PM
Quote from: Grinning_Colossus on October 06, 2011, 09:29:20 AM
Canada could enter the union as 4 states -- 'Ontario,' 'French Canada,' 'Maritime Canada,' and 'Canada (other).'
How about just one big state, like Texas?
It would be odd to have a single state which was larger than the rest of the other states combined.
By population, Canada would fall between Texas and California, and have the second most electoral votes and congressmen. Distant second.
If they want to be a state - cool. If not, that's cool, too. Whatever they wish is fine with me.
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on October 06, 2011, 05:58:54 PM
By population, Canada would fall between Texas and California, and have the second most electoral votes and congressmen. Distant second.
Larger = size.
Quote from: AnchorClanker on October 06, 2011, 05:59:19 PM
If they want to be a state - cool. If not, that's cool, too. Whatever they wish is fine with me.
I am not sure why anyone would want to join the US at this point in history.
Quote from: crazy canuck on October 06, 2011, 06:01:20 PM
Quote from: AnchorClanker on October 06, 2011, 05:59:19 PM
If they want to be a state - cool. If not, that's cool, too. Whatever they wish is fine with me.
I am not sure why anyone would want to join the US at this point in history.
Be that as it may, it matters not a whit to me. It's their gig.
Fuck no. Why do we need more spics for?
Vin Diesel is enough.
Learn English first, then ask for this huge favor.
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on October 05, 2011, 06:06:06 PM
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Tim just messed his pants a little.
And t hose expansionist part people are nutballs. I recall emailing them to ask about their craziness once and they belived their own crap and claimed to be experts on the subject.
Quote from: Siege on October 06, 2011, 06:16:56 PM
Fuck no. Why do we need more spics for?
Vin Diesel is enough.
Learn English first, then ask for this huge favor.
They already speak English, dumbass.
Quote from: crazy canuck on October 06, 2011, 06:01:20 PM
Quote from: AnchorClanker on October 06, 2011, 05:59:19 PM
If they want to be a state - cool. If not, that's cool, too. Whatever they wish is fine with me.
I am not sure why anyone would want to join the US at this point in history.
Why wouldn't Canadians join US? They would finally be able to get true fixed rate mortgages. :)
Quote from: Tonitrus on October 06, 2011, 05:51:17 PM
Quote from: Grinning_Colossus on October 06, 2011, 09:29:20 AM
Canada could enter the union as 4 states -- 'Ontario,' 'French Canada,' 'Maritime Canada,' and 'Canada (other).'
How about just one big state, like Texas?
Well, texas came in with option of splitting itself into up to 5 states. Canada's provinces can join with the option of combining themselves into 5 states.
Quote from: DGuller on October 06, 2011, 08:08:28 PM
Why wouldn't Canadians join US? They would finally be able to get true fixed rate mortgages. :)
:lol:
Quote from: Siege on October 06, 2011, 06:16:56 PM
Fuck no. Why do we need more spics for?
Vin Diesel is enough.
Learn English first, then ask for this huge favor.
Vin Diesel isn't Latino.
Quote from: Barrister on October 06, 2011, 08:49:29 AM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on October 06, 2011, 01:19:04 AM
No way do Yukon, NWT, and Nunavut get 2 senators each.
You are - correct. Each of the territories has a single senator. :Canuck:
How do you guys do that? Do you have elections or does it just rotate between the 9 of you?
:D
Quote from: Razgovory on October 06, 2011, 10:24:49 PM
Quote from: Barrister on October 06, 2011, 08:49:29 AM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on October 06, 2011, 01:19:04 AM
No way do Yukon, NWT, and Nunavut get 2 senators each.
You are - correct. Each of the territories has a single senator. :Canuck:
How do you guys do that? Do you have elections or does it just rotate between the 9 of you?
remember - I no longer live in Yukon. :(
And also remember what a ridiculous mess our Senate is. There definitely are no elections. Senators are by apponitment by the PM. <_<
Quote from: Barrister on October 06, 2011, 10:49:00 PM
remember - I no longer live in Yukon. :(
And also remember what a ridiculous mess our Senate is. There definitely are no elections. Senators are by apponitment by the PM GG. <_<
FYPFY. :Canuck: