Puerto Rican Statehood Today!
by James M. SimpsonApparently there is to be a vote later today on a bill regarding Puerto Rican statehood. They are calling it “non-binding” but it is not non-binding! It is a trap. The bill makes eventual Puerto Rican statehood a virtual certainty. This is despite the fact that statehood has been voted down repeatedly. The Puerto Rican people don’t want it!
But since when has that stopped the Left from ramming what they want down people’s throats? And why do they want this? The same reason they want everything, to further entrench their power. Statehood would mean two new senators, six or seven new representatives, a whole slew of new voters and tons of opportunities to spend more of your money. As Examiner.com’s Robert Moon points out:
Due to its dense population of poverty-stricken minorities, Puerto Rico can be counted on to vote overwhelmingly for Democrats and all their handouts, and their representation will also consequently outnumber that of 25 other existing U.S. states.
Meanwhile, with Puerto Ricans having an average income of less than half that of our poorest state, they will instantly become eligible for dozens of our welfare programs. Truckloads of taxpayer dollars will also have to be perpetually dumped into the territory, by federal law, to bring it up to American infrastructure and environmental standards.
Oh, and never mind us. We don’t get a say in this either. Puerto Rico, which doesn’t want statehood, is being forced to vote, while we American citizens, who have a vested interest in the outcome, will not be given the opportunity to vote! Simply incredible!
HR 2499, titled “A Bill, to provide for a federally sanctioned self-determination process for the people of Puerto Rico” follows a very devious, underhanded multi-step path to essentially force Puerto Rican voters to eventually adopt statehood. Here’s how.
The bill first authorizes Puerto Rico to hold a vote where they are given the following two choices only:
- Puerto Rico should maintain its current political status.
- Puerto Rico should have a different political status (Different political status. These vague words are exactly as in the bill.)
So citizens get to choose 1 or 2. Period, no ifs, ands or buts. Then the bill stipulates what comes next:
If the people pick option 1 – which they have chosen multiple times already – then the Puerto Rican government is directed to conduct more plebiscites every eight years for the foreseeable future. So in other words, Mr. Puerto Rican citizen, we are going to keep cramming this down your throat until a majority of you choose option 2.
Once the people choose option 2, then there will be a second vote with the following three options:
- Full independence.
- Sovereignty “in association with the United States…” not subject to the Constitution’s Territorial Clause.
- Statehood.
For the record, the first two options will not get much support. So the entire structure of the bill is designed to funnel Puerto Rican voters into a predetermined outcome: Statehood. This despite the fact that Puerto Ricans have voted against statehood over and over again!
Rep. Luis Gutierrez, a senior Democrat Congressman no less, just posted his views on this bill at Huffington Post. Here is what he has to say about it:
I am a senior Democratic Member of Congress, whose parents were born in Puerto Rico, and for whom Puerto Rico self-determination has been – and remains – a central issue of my congressional career. This statehood bill is the opposite of self-determination.
It is designed to craft an artificial majority for statehood where none exists now. Every time the people of Puerto Rico have been consulted on this issue through a plebiscite they’ve said NO to Statehood. NO to Statehood in 1967. NO to Statehood in 1993. NO to Statehood in 1998. This should be called the “Don’t you dare say NO to Statehood Bill”.
But he is just getting going. Listen to this:
When a similar Puerto Rico bill came up under Speaker Newt Gingrich’s Republican controlled Congress a decade ago, it was the product of lengthy and thorough hearings and an open and fair process. Then, I was given time to offer seven amendments. Then I was able to clarify the bill for the Puerto Rican people. Then, each of my seven amendments got 30 minutes of floor time for debate.
Flash forward to now. Now a Democratic Majority Congress is only allowing me two of the 16 amendments I offered in the Rules Committee on Wednesday. Now I only have 10 minutes to debate each one.
Now, under Democratic Leadership, we get one hearing, no forewarning, no companion Senate bill, and a debate only a few seconds longer than a NASCAR pit-stop…I get more time to debate renaming a Post Office than I will get to debate a bill that could make Puerto Rico the fifty-first state.
In my opinion, this bill is the political equivalent of a shady Goldman Sachs derivative: It’s secretive. It lacks transparency. It’s likely to blow up down the road and cause systemic risk to out democracy. And those who put this political derivative together don’t really tell you what this is really about and will play dumb when it explodes.
We all know now from the outrageous experience of Obamacare that leftists could care less what the will of the people is. For those of you who traditionally vote Democrat this should serve as a warning: that includes you! Even if it’s those poor, downtrodden Puerto Ricans the Left claims to want to help so much. Ram Obamacare down Americas’ throat; ram statehood down Puerto Rico’s throat.
Do I detect a pattern here?
This information needs to go viral. Congress needs to be shut down with phone calls and faxes starting first thing in the morning. That is today, April 29, 2010.
All this is going on while everyone is distracted by the monstrous financial bailout bill coming out of the Senate. The timing was deliberate! And we now hear that despite losing support from lone RINO Republican Lindsey Graham, the Democrats are going to go ahead with illegal immigrant amnesty.
So now we see a pretty comprehensive electoral strategy mapped out:
- Naturalize 12 million illegal aliens to vote Democrat
- Universal voter registration
- Do away with Electoral College using state-by-state approach
- Force Puerto Rican statehood
- Soros-funded Secretary of State project to help steal close elections
- Stimulus monies as political slush fund
If you’re not sufficiently angry and alarmed now, there is no hope for you. These people are demonstrating right to our faces their willingness to trample our rights and defy our will. If they are willing to do this now, what will they do if they get the permanent majorities they want?
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494 Comments
Is this my country
King zero is empire building.
Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama are next. That way we will have 57 states, just as he let slip in his campaign.
GAME OF RISK ANYBODY!
Is the racist nature of this party still not evident to anyone? It cannot find enough non-Whites to exploit for political power. 'Sure wish I was a Puertorriqueño today so I could lobby against this abomination.
This is so anti-transparency, anti-American, pro-sociaIism! This is fraud carried out on the American People as well as the Puerto Rican people!
CALL./FAX/EMAIL….stop this now!!! The avg salary in PR is about $30K…that means yet another welfare state and a bunch of zero liability voters!!
They have voted this down 3 times….let them decide for themselves without interference from the dimocraps!!
The most transparent administeration evah! They're liars. We were temporarily depending on the Repubs until November but it appears they're also in the bag with this one. I called the WH last evening but no one there and will try again this morning. They won't listen to us anyway. Remember commiecare? I thought we were behind Europe but it looks like we're catching up pretty fast with this guy in office. It's like we're living in a dictatorship.
I wonder how entrenched the SEIU and ACORN are in PR?
Click on this URL to take action now http://capwiz.com/proenglish/utr/2/?a=14971166&am...
Click on this URL to take action now http://capwiz.com/proenglish/utr/2/?a=14971166&am...
This is another prong of the plan to ensure democrats/progressives are forever in power. here is more info and talking points in the link
If you are not aware of what the obama administration is trying to do TOMORROW to "fundamentally transform America" then you better wake up. You will NOT see this on the mainstream media "news" stations. Time is short. The vote will be taken tomorrow. This is a trick vote. If you did not watch Glenn Beck today, go online and watch it NOW. He will explain and expose how this manuveur will gain votes needed to make America the socialistic "Progressive" society that obama is trying to create. TAKE ACTION NOW. Call you representatives and tell them to vote NO. It must be done before they vote tomorrow. Fax, e-mail, call, do it all. Just let them know you are against this. This is not about "Social Justice". This is about Socialism.
Click on this URL to take action now http://capwiz.com/proenglish/utr/2/?a=14971166&am...
Here is a summary from Beck's show that I typed up:
Puerto Rico for Statehood – H.R. 2499 – Progressive Plan to Maintain Power
Why do we need Puerto Rico as a state? They are a self-governed commonwealth who have voted down statehood 4 times, the last time in 1998. They do not want to be a state. Each time they were asked this question: “Do you want to become a state?” Now they are being asked, “Do you want to maintain the current status?” Why change the question? – because it puts everyone into agreement without being specific in the answer and it gives less options. It “nudges” (Cass Sunstein’s plan) into the direction the progressives want the people to go. Puerto Ricans used to have 5 choices: 1. Limited self government or 2) free association or 3)statehood or 4) sovereignty or 5)none of the above (got the most votes in 1998). After Puerto Ricans vote NO to the question “Do you want to maintain the current status,” they will be asked to vote on 1)Statehood or 2)full independence or 3) modified common wealth. 2 & 3 historically always got less than 3% of the vote and that is why #2 and #3 are on the ballot, to “nudge” the people to vote for #1.
History of the Tennessee Plan
Tennessee was a U.S. territory. The following are the steps /actions taken by the territory for statehood:
Step 1: Elected delegates for Congress
Step 2: Voted on Statehood
Step3: Drafted a State Constitution
Step 4: Applied for Statehood
Step 5: They DID NOT WAIT FOR A U.S. Congressional vote – they went to the Capitol and DEMANDED to be seated and it worked.
The progressives will than convince the new Puerto Rican citizens that all parties but theirs, the democratic, are racist against them. Why are both parties for this bill? – Both parties want power. Pelosi and Graham are both progressives but at different extremes.
Who is behind this? – The New Progressive Party in Puerto Rico.
Here are some quotes from the New Progressive Party:
“The New Progressive Party Adopts the Tennessee Plan as an additional strategy for the decolonization and the claim for the Admission of Puerto Rico as the 51st State of the United States of America.”
“This shall be done to establish a process for the adoption and ratification of the Constitution of the State of Puerto Rico and the election of 2 SENATORS and 6 Federal CONGRESSPERSONS to APPEAR before Congress in Washington D.C. to claim their seats and the admission of PR as the 51st State.”
“The New Progressive Party (Puerto Rico) was founded in order to achieve two fundamental goals, Statehood and Social Justice.”
Why are people voting for this?
One official stated that he “has to support statehood to avoid being accused of bigotry against Hispanics.”
It is a numbers game with progressives to maintain power. They are targeting groups who will likely vote democratic (progressive).
Facts: (via my personal research)
- H.J. Res 5 is in the House to eliminate the term limits for the President of the United States
- D.C. House Voting Rights Act (S.160) is on the floor to allow D.C. to have a House vote which the founding fathers did not want.
- Van Jones started months ago trying to recruit convicts and change the felony voting law
There are 4 steps in Diluting the Votes:
Step 1: 12 million potential votes from illegals which is why neither party closes the border
Step 2: 1 – House vote for D.C.
Step 3: 4 million possible votes from ex-cons
Step 4: 4 million possible votes from Puerto Ricans = 2 Senators and 6 House members
Some ask well will not the Puerto Ricans vote against the Dems because they were forced to become a state. The answer is no. They won’t see they were “nudged.” Why should they? – we have been “nudged” for years and no one paid attention until now.
They are doing this one step at a time to “fundamentally transform America.” Put the pieces together.
After a year of bailouts, takeovers and health care "reform", this administration encountered unexpected lasting opposition from the public. But rather than back down, BHO and company ACCELERATE the push for government expansio — simultaneously, on multiple fronts: Financial "reform", immigration "reform", and cap-and-tax, and now apparently, Puerto Rican statehood. This last bit resorts to a favored BHO tactic of misdirection. Sneak something import in-or-out the side door while public attention is focused elsewhere.
With November elections approaching, and polls suggesting a rout for Democrats, these ploys fit the pattern established with health care by Obama. When encountering resistance, pull stunts and bend or break rules as necessary to achieve the desire outcome.
Gangster politics.
Overwhelm us!!…..They are doing it every day!….In 7 months, (Nov.2010), we won't know
our country, and I fear there will be no turning back…We have too many idiots that are
happy with socialism, and too many on the public dole that are satisfied to sit back with
their hands out……These are Obumbles voting block and they outnumber us!!
Obama and the Demons are using phycological warfare on US. One blast right after another, no subtle moves at all. Well, there is an old saying about the Devil overplaying his hand……………
This is a non-issue. It's come up in the House because Pedro Pierluisi wants to satisfy a campaign promise. It is going nowhere. As for the Puerto Rican people not wanting it, it is not being forced on them. They would have to vote and a majority of them accept it before they would be accepted into the union.
i'll do my part to help this go viral. i posted it on my site. thanks james.
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
"Why trade one tyrant 3000 miles away for 3000 tyrants one mile away."
No one wants another civil war. But, it may become necessary. Keep your powder dry.
This is about $$$. PR has a huge industry of Pharmaceutical and Medical Device manufacturers. The big Pharma companies moved down there decades ago when the Unions in New Jersey became too costly. King zero and his Unions want to grab the union dollar potential, the votes (because the wages will go up) and the rest of us will pick up the dime due to higher costs of drugs and medical devices. Once again, this is about money, power and votes.
I called Sen. Cornyn yesterday and he doesn't have a comment at this time.
Keep pushing Barry! We are gonna thank you soon 11/2!
Contact you reps, and senators, America is under assault!
It is being forced on them. Read my long post above.
ss794- Nice job. It is truly remarkable that the main stream media has elected to ignore this. Call your Representatives now.
Rep. Doc Hastings (R-Wa.) is quoted as saying: “This approach of voting first and answering questions later is exactly backwards”. Sounds all too familiar with Pelosi’s “We have to pass health care to know what’s in it”. Typical Dem protocol. Hastings also reminds that as a state Puerto Rico would receive 2 US Senators and 6-7 House seats. And after the 2010 census for those US states expecting to gain a seat could lose representation as long as the 435 seat maximum in the House remains.
It’s quite evident the peoples of Puerto Rico don’t want statehood. They’re already experiencing what Americans are experiencing, a lack of representation on behalf of the people. The Dems are proving once again they are in this for themselves and not their constituents. And it’s just as evident the American people don’t want this either. It will burden further the economic strains we’re already experiencing from simple issues such as translating speeches, bills, documents, treaties, etc. on the floor of Congress into Spanish language. That is just the obvious. What other burdens loom? American cannot shoulder the additional economic burden that will come with Puerto Rico statehood. And the peoples of PR already realize they would be permanently tied to the climates of politics, economics, social and religions today in the US. Nothing against the people at all. Just that this is a bad move by our government from all aspects.
It won't be long and they'll say we should be following the Organization of American States Constitution. "Adopted by the inter-American community on September 11, 2001." Never let a good crisis go to waste.
http://www.oas.org/OASpage/esp/Publicaciones/Cart...
Read page 331 of the PDF where Roger Noriega states, "Let’s remember that the Charter is only seven months old. Documents intended to be cornerstones of public policy, like laws or even the U.S. Constitution, are not born with instant legitimacy. A document’s legitimacy evolves slowly, over time as it is exercised, and as respect for it and the values it embodies grows. Only through numerous attempted, not always successful, applications of a document can it achieve its full or even intended potential. Through fits and starts and repeated attempts, the values embodied in a significant public policy document, such as the Democratic Charter, eventually come to life and become tangible and immutable."
Never again should the American people trust Democrats with the presidency and both houses of Congress.
BHO continues a blitzkreig assault on the American public.
I just sent an email to my Rep – not that it will do any good since he's Chris Van Hollen, aka Pelosi's pet poodle.
Oh Goodie. Just what we need!!! Another manufactured policy crisis!!! Yay!
Oh BTW, anyone notice that the Health Care Law is actually going to INCREASE the cost of insurance and will still NOT cover something like 20 Million Uninsured???
Just checking.
This is conspiratorial nonsense. No one is forcing Puerto Rico to become a state. I don't see any interest in it in the congress. It will never see a floor vote in the House.
Citing Glenn Beck is never a good call.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_and_territories_by_area
The 7 extra are already US territories and DC
Not any more my friend…
Half of the 4 million residents of Puerto Rico will be immediately eligible for all welfare benefits at a cost of $3 billion per year FOREVER!
But wait there's more! If you act right now they will allow non residents to vote and become eligible for full citizenship and benefits.
But wait there's more!
Puerto Rico will have 6 representatives which means current states will lose 6 representatives. Hmm, with the new White House controlled census guess what red states will lose their representation?
My hope is the Republicans remember these tactics when they come to power in November and use it to neuter the Dems in Congress once and for all.
Put Pelousy in the catacombs of the Capitol in the sewage pump room.
I am flabbergasted. The President and his administration are ruling by fiat–who elected them King? do the people have no say?? One barrage after another, with no way to stop the assault.
I am in despair.
Never again!!!!!!
It's all going according to plan. Our ballots will soon be worthless. That leaves us with…..
I think you are watering this down a tad bit. If you know about the Tennessee plan, which is what they are using as a template for this maneuver, there will be people showing up in DC demanding to be sat, and they will because of precedent. The balance of the US Govt.(not trying to be funny) will be all out of balance.
Senior Obama is doing this for a power grab via enlarging his voting base. This is nothing but shady as presented. Please don't parrot "It's NON binding", as that argument will not hold water, as I suspect you understand. This whole thing is stinks because they had to change the question to get the results they want. They are not asking "Do you want to be a state?", they are asking "Do you want the status quo?". There is a whole bunch of room for manipulation there.
All of that being said, I stand behind the people in Puerto Rico. If they wanted to be a state, they can be easily…properly. They have said no time after time. If they are "nudged" into statehood via trickery, isn't that devaluing the importance and status of the statehood?
If the people of Puerto Rico don't want to become a state, we shouldn't make them. Right now they get the benefits without the taxes. I say spin them off as their own sovereign nation, fully independent and separate from the US.
Democrats! What have you done to this country?? Even you Democrats who still think Obama is a good guy should understand, your freedoms are going out the window. Just because Obama and his Brown Shirts use the term, Social Justice, doesn't mean that is what is going to happen. When we're all equal we'll all have nothing. I guess you will cheer as the Government begins to tell you where you can work and live and whether you can eat the food you like, then if you can even vacation. Puerto Rico being (voted on in secret) without the knowledge and debate from it's citizens is evil. It is being done to consolidate all power to ONE PARTY, The National Socialist Party. When all power is given to one individual, or group, or Party, only evil can come of it, (see the Nazi's) . But what do you expect from Obama and the Hive of Villainy that is in Washington.
Be quiet, we grownups are trying to talk…….
Hold on folks this is going to be a very bumpy ride. They are looking to bolster the voting block so they can remain in power. If that should happen, prepare to enter slavery. You will own nothing. You will have crumbs. Why not make this public? Why sneak it to vote? The way the "Tennessee Plan" works, it will get a lot of attention but only after the fact. Shame on us.
I wish I could tell you that you're wrong. If this comes to pass, I'm going on the hunting trip of a lifetime. The first ones I'm going to bag, are the RINOS that allowed this to happen.
Yep – REMEMBER WHAT THE POVERTY LEVEL as stated by the IRS !!! So these people will get all the benefits again but NOT PAY TAXES !!!! Just like they are doing now !!!!
PROGRESSIVES !!!!!!!
Hola, mis amigos en Puerto Rico!
Can't wait until 2012. Our military must take over the Executive branch and throw Obama in prison as a traitor. Then close Mexico's border with troops. Then hold a special presidential election in Nov. Then expel each member of congress that violated the constitution during the Obamacare bill writing and passing.
If the people don't want it, Puerto Rican statehood will not happen. All this talk about a "Tennessee Plan" is a smokescreen. If they don't want us, we will most certainly not want them.
If your reading comprehension level is so poor that you can't grasp this process of biasing the outcome of an election in favor of a certain reslut, the wat some pollingg does in order to show more favorable numbers, then maybe you ought to stay out of the conversation, rather than display your inability (or outright refusal) to understand the issue…..
Surely the "grownups" don't want to limit free speech. If you quiet the voice of dissent now what will you do when they want to silence you? Freedom of speech only counts if people can say things you don't want to hear.
I gave direct quotes from their party. Plus look up the propaganda that is being spread by those in P.R. who are for this. What part of "nudge" did you not understand? You need to wake up.
Thanks.
Not so much smoke screen. I don't debate or spin facts. We will see what happens soon enough, though.
Yes, anyone who read the healthcare bill knew this but people won't listen. What will it take for America to wake up?
Sorry lady, but I do whatever I want on this list. Because I'm an American. I have the right to speak and you have the right not to listen. Let's both exercise our rights.
Glenn Beck presented facts on the language of the bill and from the progressive group in Puerto Rico that support exactly what is being played out here. He has a "red" phone waiting for calls to refute any of his facts. The phone has yet to ring. Please present your facts so we can have an honest discussion rather than just "I don't see any interest in it in the congress". Are you in congress?
Keep pushing us Progressives/Socialists and there will be a second civil war in this country. How long do these people think we will stand by while they try to destroy the Republic before we begin to fight back? They should know that we are not very far away and have already been pushed to a near breaking point!
People won't wake up until everything implodes and hits them personally. Until then they will stay oblivious.
Wide awake here, I just don't buy into your conclusions. This smacks more of your hatred for Hispanics than any concern for the will of the Puerto Rican people. I see it all the time on this list.
Nothing to debate. Like I said in my original post, it's a non issue for anyone but the right wing fringe. So go stir the hate somewhere else.
Why stop at 57 States? Northern California would do well to split from Southern California. The South takes SF and Davis. The north takes the water which will soon be a commodity on par with oil in our near future.
More American citizens that Washington wont listen to but will certainly dish out our money to enslave them.
You are right, you have the right to make yourself look like an ass, good job!
Yes, PR has a lot of people taking welfare, but it also has millions of hardworking educated AMERICAN citizens. One of the reasons why so much welfare is needed is because the AMERICAN businesses that operated without paying any taxes for 20+ years shut down their PR operations because they were going to start paying federal taxes for all income generated in PR, so they decided to move to another low-wage paying country. So, AMERICAN businesses and lack of opportunities are at fault for this. This only happened about 10-12 years ago, since then the whole unemployment situation has gotten much worse.
Also, we Puerto Rican soldiers go to war to represent the UNITED STATES' interests and protect YOU. So, from what you said, I take the following: zero liability voters = let US businesses take advantage of your workforce while not paying taxes + sending PR soldiers to fight US wars + not being allowed to vote for the President, nor have a single voting representative in Congress + enduring the prejudice and crap of ignorant citizens (like yourself) + some other interesting little details. I believe in statehood, but I definitely don't want it rammed down our throats. I believe in self-determination, but this article is more about dissing people that have worked hard in this country for more than 100 years than it is about protecting PR from the democrats . BTW, why should anyone that's not a PR have the right to decide what happens to 4 million American citizens. Who gave you that power?
"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." JFK
So Democrats…keep ramming things down our gullets and see what it gets you.
Extremely entrenched. I live in PR. SEIU and unions are huge.
Dems are despicable! This is nothing but an attempt to ensure they remain in power! They know they are on the chopping block this Nov and in 2012, so they are going to lie, cheat, steal and do whatever they have to do to secure votes. This move is just one of several, I believe, to increase their voting bloc. I think it would be funny, if their diabolical plan succeeds, if Puerto Rico sent Republican/Conservative reps and senators to D.C. I'd love to see the looks on the dems smug faces if that ever happened. That would be justifiable revenge by the Puerto Ricans for forcing statehood on them.
[...] is Very Serious by Jeff on April 29, 2010 From Big Government: Apparently there is to be a vote later today on a bill regarding Puerto Rican statehood. They are [...]
And you have the right to toss around cowardly anonymous insults. Next time you run into a progressive, thank him for the freedom.
mikatollah-www.opencongress.org It has reached the floor of the House. H.R.2499 The bill had been lurking around since last year and then the surprise announcement came last Thursday to bring it to the floor ASAP. There is no conspiracy, it's factual nonsense.
Kew a guy from Puerto Rico in college, he said there were hard core statehood advocates as well as independence types, but that the arrangement as it was worked best. It really is a different kind of place, but still US. As a state it really wouldn't work. Some in DC can't see that, because they don't look past the "on paper" things.
He is doing everything that Chavez is doing or has done!
Perhaps you could link us to a few of the comments (that you see all the time) that have spewed "hatred for Hispanics" , actually, forget that, how's about just one?
I wonder if the main stream media even thinks this is news.
Most of my closest friends are hispanic so you have no clue. Again, what part of "nudge" don't you understand – look up Cass Sunstein. As the author of the article puts it, "If you’re not sufficiently angry and alarmed now, there is no hope for you."
Contrary to common misconception, residents of Puerto Rico do pay U.S. federal taxes: customs taxes (which are subsequently returned to the Puerto Rico Treasury) , import/export taxes , federal commodity taxes , social security taxes , etc. Residents pay federal payroll taxes, such as Social Security and Medicare , as well as Commonwealth of Puerto Rico income taxes . All federal employees , those who do business with the federal government , Puerto Rico-based corporations that intend to send funds to the U.S. , and some others (For example, Puerto Rican residents that are members of the U.S. military, and Puerto Rico residents who earned income from sources outside Puerto Rico also pay federal income taxes.
You so obviously disdain this site and look down upon the people who freely express themselves, so why do you bother to come here and post?
On another note, it's quite obvious what's happening in Puerto Rico. My understanding is that if this passes, the question on their ballot will not be "do you want statehood," but something like "do you want to keep the status quo?" Of course they do not, so the next ballot will have the questions "do you want to be a state?" or "do you want to be independent?" Of course they will choose the former because if they are cut loose, all of their freebies from the U.S. will end and they will have to take care of themselves. The next step will be for the Puerto Rican powers that be (social progressives currently reign) to force Congress to seat their reps–as happened with Tennessee during the founding of our country. This has all been carefully planned, mikatollah.
In addition, because the cutoff point for income taxation is lower than that of the U.S. IRS code, and because the per-capita income in Puerto Rico is much lower than the average per-capita income on the mainland, more Puerto Rico residents pay income taxes to the local taxation authority than if the IRS code were applied to the island. This occurs because "the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico government has a wider set of responsibilities than do U.S. State and local governments" . As residents of Puerto Rico pay into Social Security, Puerto Ricans are eligible for Social Security benefits upon retirement, but are excluded from the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (Commonwealth of Puerto Rico residents, unlike residents of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and residents of the 50 States, do not receive the SSI. , and the island actually receives less than 15% of the Medicaid funding it would normally receive if it were a U.S. state . However, Medicare providers receive less-than-full state-like reimbursements for services rendered to beneficiaries in Puerto Rico, even though the latter paid fully into the system .
Check who is behing all this "Progressives" Nuf Said ! .
In general, "many federal social welfare programs have been extended to Puerto Rican residents, although usually with caps inferior to those allocated to the states." It has also been estimated that, because the population of the Island is greater than that of 50% of the States, if it were a state, Puerto Rico would have six to eight seats in the House, in addition to the two seats in the Senate.
-Wikipedia (it's a very simple search, just read a little before you post your opinions like facts)
[...] having a problem with? Well, this really isn’t about what the people want, after all, is it. It’s about POWER! For Rep. Blackburn, or ANY Republican, to pretty much guarantee the Democrats keep their power for [...]
the question should be – Who is my President?
They have turned it down because they get all the benefits without the taxes.
Disdain is not the right word…. contempt is closer to to my true feelings for you.
Really? Well why don't you invite them over to watch Glenn Beck with you…. that should be a fun party.
I don't appreciate you calling us *uckin morons (go elsewhere if that's your quality of discourse), but you are right in that Puerto Ricans don't want to lose their "culture and heritage." I have many PR friends and that is definitely the case. The problem is, when in the end they are given only two choices: fend for themselves or become a state, they will choose the latter, and that means they will overwhelm the political and social welfare system in the U.S. This is a carefully thought out plan by the social progressives, Fernando, and Puerto Ricans are being duped.
mika- you are cluless. Now go watch the view…
I lived in a community that became primarily Puerto Rican. One point I haven't seen mentioned here is language. Although we did have several very nice, productive, well educated families living there, even in those families, English was not spoken by the women. Amongst most of the poorer families, English wasn't spoken at all. Suddenly all the signs around the community had to be posted in both English and Spanish. We had a Homeowners Ass.–everything had to be translated and sent out in English and Spanish. Meetings went from lasting about 1 hour to lasting at least 3 hours because of 2 languages. Employees now have to be bi-lingual. Though English is taught in Puerto Rico–many there still do not speak it. If this passes, wonder how language will be handled. Guess Alabama won't be able to say, "We speak English."
Gosh, I don't even know you–and you certainly don't know me or any of us–so why would you have any feelings about us at all? Also, if "comtempt" is really closer to how you "feel," I must once again ask: why do you bother to come here and post?
If this is to actually happen what will the effects be on the national health care that was recently passed? These people have different standard of living then here in the US, will these people be automatically enrolled into the plan and if so there goes the projected cost of the plan. I am sure this will lead to more taxes to pay for the additional people on the plan. What are the effects going to be on all the other entitlement programs that we have?
People we are at the edge of the cliff and this could quite possibly make us jump! Our system is over taxed and this will just tax it further.
You should go and read HR2499. It's not what you think it is.
Not you personally. You shouldn't internalize my posts. They are meant for the list and my contempt is generated by the ideas expressed here.
Why? It's entertainment. A hobby…
Freedom, I think you've answered your own question. The U.S. is, indeed, "at the edge of the cliff" and in my opinion, this is a 100 years-in-the-making, planned takeover and total transformation of our country by Obama and the social progressives.
At what point do we revolt? When is enough enough? Don't Presidents swear to uphold the Constitution? Hasn't BHO shown that he's not doing that? When can we call in his chips? When When WHEN??? This and amnesty will give the Dems permanent power. Every day it's some new assault. Takeover of banks and GM WHAM, Cap n Tax WHAM, months and months of Obamacare WHAM, Supreme Ct nominees WHAM, Defunding NASA, WHAM, ACORN, WHAM, Beer Summit WHAM, Possible Amnesty WHAM, Now Puerto Rican Statehood???? Not to mention the irritating day to day issues like Flying airforce 1 over NYC for a photo op, mocking the American people who disagree with his agenda, racists comments, slow reaction to Ft Hood shooting, Black Panthers not being held to account for voter intimidation and on and on…Where do I sign up for the Revolution?
Typical liberal tactic when you can't argue facts.
Wrong "Dick-Head"!!! They are the "illegal aliens", Dick-Head. The section of the article you quote regarding the 12 million illegal aliens refers to the "illegal immigrant amnesty" of illegals currently in the US. Further down from that paragraph, see item #4: Force Puerto Rican statehood. That is the administrations' agenda. If you are PR, you have every right to be pissed as the PR government is willing to ride the coattails of the US government at the expense of their own people. Direct your anger at your own and not those here.
And your post is pointless. Why don't you try again, and this time try and make a valid point, preferably on the topic of discussion.
Mikatollah- Could you possibly name one instance where a progressive has been in power and it did not lead to human rights violations and genocide?
OK FOLKS AS A PUERTO RICAN AND A REPUBLICAN DO NOT EMBARRASS YOURSELVES WITH THE RUDE COMMENTARY!!!!
Puerto Ricans have fought for this country since World War 1,,,,we are drafted yet we cannot vote for the Commander and Chief,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Is that Right?
Time you folks smarten up and realize we are not a bunch of wetbacks…………WE HAVE EARNED OUR PLACE IN THIS COUNTRY WITH OUR BLOOD!!!!
SHAME ON YOU!!!
[...] gotten one hyperventilating email from RPVNetwork today and I’ve noticed that some of the conservative bloggers out there are jumping up and down about this bill, acting like it came out of nowhere and will [...]
Don't forget Ecuador. They use our currency on a daily basis.
Your question is too general. Rephrase it and be more specific
What you call facts, I call right wing disinformation.
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