Puerto Rico - Our 51st State?

[mfish]

On Thursday, Congress will take up a bill to make Puerto Rico a state. Why is our Congress doing this now? Secretly? Quickly?
Please consider this:

* The U.S. would transform, overnight, into a bilingual nation. At least half of Puerto Ricans do not speak English, the language of our U.S. Constitution and founding documents. The Washington Times article, “Puerto Rican statehood,” analyzes all the implications of adding a foreign language-speaking state to the Union.

* It would bring immediate demands for massive federal spending. The average income of Puerto Ricans is less than half that of our poorest state, and infrastructure and the environment are far below American standards. Puerto Rico has a population with a median national income of $17,741, nearly a third of that for the U.S.

* Puerto Rico is already a democracy. Despite the bill’s deceptive title, Puerto Rico already has an elected government and exists as a self-governed commonwealth of the U.S.

* Statehood would give Puerto Rico more congressional representation than 25 of our 50 states! It would inevitably give Democrats two additional U.S. Senators and 6 to 8 additional Members of the House.

Read more about this here (you might not find it anywhere else):

http://biggovernment.com/taylorking/2010/04/28/puerto-rico-51st-state-congress-scrambling-to-make-it-so/

[Neil]

The author of the bill, Pedro Pierluisi has some interesting facts on his web page.

http://www.pierluisi.house.gov/english/home.html

"After months of long and intense negotiations, Puerto Rico has achieved a result that will triple the funding that the Island receives for its Medicaid program and that will enable Puerto Rico, beginning in 2014, to establish a health insurance exchange, which is a new insurance market regulated and subsidized by the federal government.

Specifically, the reconciliation bill will increase the current federal contribution to Puerto Rico’s Medicaid program by about 182%, which means that Puerto Rico is estimated to receive a total of $8.624 billion in federal Medicaid funding over the next nine years (2011-2019). Unlike the bill previously approved by the Senate and the proposal recently put forward by the White House, the reconciliation bill would provide the government of Puerto Rico with flexibility to determine how it can most effectively use this new Medicaid funding to improve services and expand coverage.

In addition, the reconcilation bill allows Puerto Rico to establish a health insurance exchange and provides $925 million to subsidize the cost of insurance for Island residents of modest means who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid."

"Finally, as part of the reconciliation bill, the House of Representatives approved the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, which will provide more than $1.45 billion to Puerto Rico over the next ten years to improve access to higher education."

[pdc]

FYI, anyone born in Puerto Rico is a "natural born citizen" of the USA, including the right to be elected president.

Therefore, making Puerto Rico a state would not IN ANY WAY change to composition of US citizenship, especially language preference/ability of our citizens.

Statehood would give the US citizen in Puerto Rico political representation the same as any other citizens of the US (except, of course, for DC....

We let Alaska and Hawaii in, so why not Puerto Rico???

[oladcock]

"We let Alaska and Hawaii in, so why not Puerto Rico???"

Alaska has paid for itself like 20 times over and puts more capital into our economy than it takes out and is strategically important in our defense. I suspect Hawaii does as well with it's exports, tourism, and defense. What would PR contribute or would it be another parastite blue state?...O.L.

[pdc]

What would PR contribute or would it be another parastite blue state?...O.L.
Ironic, coming from a resident one of, if not the, most "parasitic" (your term, not mine) states in the country.... **laugh**

[oladcock]

That's why I said "another", and not here by choice.

3 times PR has voted and NO, they do not want to be a state.

This vote tomorrow is supposed to be "non-binding"..So why are they wasting their time and our money doing it? Call Teague, Udall, and Bingaman, ask them why? There is a reason but they won't tell you.......O.L.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Progressive_Party_of_Puerto_Rico

[Jim]

Do Puerto Ricans pay US taxes?

"Taxation without representation" .... where did we hear that before?

[oladcock]

"Do Puerto Ricans pay US taxes?"

No they do not income tax, that's why they've voted 3 times NOT to become a state. They get all the benefits minus the representation. The progressives are attempting a back handed method to gain them statehood which would tip the representation balance in Washington. They are also trying to get representation for DC, legalize the criminal aliens, and prisoners as well for the same reasons. Again ask out reps why if it's non-binding, why they are doing it. You'll get BS flowery answers if any answer at all...O.L.

[pdc]

"Do Puerto Ricans pay US taxes?"

No they do not, that's why they've voted 3 times NOT to become a state. They get all the benefits minus the representation. The progressives are attempting a back handed method to gain them statehood which would tip the representation balance in Washington. They are also trying to get representation for DC, legalize the criminal aliens, and prisoners as well for the same reasons. Again ask out reps why if it's non-binding, why they are doing it. You'll get BS flowery answers if any answer at all...O.L.

Not surprisingly, another instance where you are wrong.

Puerto Rico (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Rico)
The U.S. Government classifies Puerto Rico as an independent taxation authority by Federal Law 48 U.S.C. § 734. Puerto Rico residents are required to pay U.S. federal taxes, import/export taxes,[78] federal commodity taxes,[79] social security taxes etc. The only exemption is federal income taxes since residents pay federal payroll taxes (Social Security[80] and Medicare),[81] as well as Commonwealth of Puerto Rico income taxes. All federal employees,[82] plus those who do business with the federal government,[83] in addition to Puerto Rico-based corporations that intend to send funds to the U.S.,[84] and some others[85] also pay federal income taxes.

Because residents of Puerto Rico pay into Social Security, they are eligible for Social Security benefits upon retirement, but are excluded from the Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and the island actually receives less than 15% of the Medicaid funding it would normally receive if it were a U.S. state.[86] Yet 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.[87]
So, with statehood they would get their share of SS benefits, but some now excluded would have to pay Federal Income taxes....

Do you just say this kinda stuff thinking everyone will swallow it like mfish???

[oladcock]

Ok, income tax was what I meant, everyone has the other taxes. At 19K average income, the vast majority wouldn't pay a dine and would get a return if they were a state....O.L.

[mfish]

OL, we've had this problem before. You must be Very. Specific. When. Raising. The. "Tax." Issue. Because there are some who can't use their common sense to differentiate between "income taxes and "other taxes." Any loon knows we all pay (and pay and pay) those "other" taxes. So when you use "don't pay taxes" in a sentence, even though "most" understand your intent and comment, you have to speak to the populace - you, know ... those who voted for Obama simply because he had a nice smile and could read a teleprompter, for instance - and be very specific so as not to confuse.

[pdc]

OL, we've had this problem before. You must be Very. Specific. When. Raising. The. "Tax." Issue. Because there are some who can't use their common sense to differentiate between "income taxes and "other taxes." Any loon knows we all pay (and pay and pay) those "other" taxes. So when you use "don't pay taxes" in a sentence, even though "most" understand your intent and comment, you have to speak to the populace - you, know ... those who voted for Obama simply because he had a nice smile and could read a teleprompter, for instance - and be very specific so as not to confuse.

Are you talkin' to me!!! :nerves:

Funny how the first "tax" the fringe wants ot eliminate is Social Security - b ut when referring generically to "taxes", they hide behind bogus assumnptions. - what a pathetic tactic. I demonstrated that Peurto ricans are paying full SS taxes, while their commonwealth gets shortchanged under those programs - deal with it!

I knew your resolve would flag....

[oladcock]

pdc, "the first "tax" the fringe wants ot eliminate is Social Security"

Not at all if I qualify as the "fringe".....At least that's one system most have paid into and wouldn't be broke if it hadn't been run and managed by corrupt politicians.

If they want to continue running it as it's been perverted, then yes, I want to see it GONE. It's best use now is blackmail to buy votes, just as you just did....O.L.

[pdc]

pdc, "the first "tax" the fringe wants ot eliminate is Social Security"

Not at all if I qualify as the "fringe".....At least that's one system most have paid into and wouldn't be broke if it hadn't been run and managed by corrupt politicians.

If they want to continue running it as it's been perverted, then yes, I want to see it GONE. It's best use now is blackmail to buy votes, just as you just did....O.L.

Define "perversion" in this instance - all the money has been accounted for - with treasury bonds....

I love conservatives who mock the "lock box" concept, on one hand, then criticize the loans from the trust fund on the other.....

[oladcock]

"Define "perversion" in this instance - all the money has been accounted for - with treasury bonds...."

Perverse adj. 1 Different or varying from the correct or normal. 2 Wicked; corrupt..

You made my point, borrowed from our kids and grand kids with bonds. That was not what was originally intended. Just like health care, it was sold as one thing, it will morph and be perverted into another. Evolutionary Marxism both of them at their finest.

This non-binding PR vote will do the same...O.L.

[pdc]

"Define "perversion" in this instance - all the money has been accounted for - with treasury bonds...."

Perverse adj. 1 Different or varying from the correct or normal. 2 Wicked; corrupt..

You made my point, borrowed from our kids and grand kids with bonds. That was not what was originally intended. Just like health care, it was sold as one thing, it will morph and be perverted into another. Evolutionary Marxism both of them at their finest.

This non-binding PR vote will do the same...O.L.

Puhleeze!! I know what the word means. Unless and until the loans are forgiven or otherwise not paid back, the practice might not be the best policy, but is does not qualify under any of the terms you apply - you could at least have attempted to make a case.

I also know what Marxism is - I've actually studied Marx's writings, Marxism theory and Marxist practices - and you have never even come close to adequately defining that term, let alone made any case whatsoever that anything you've labeled as "Marxist" fits the meaning.

Adding the adjective "Evolutionary", therefore, does not clarify anything whatsoever....

Jeesh!!!

[oladcock]

Yep, A million shades of grey even scholars can't agree on so us disagreeing on definitions is meaningless. Even Marx said societies evolve in cycles, I assume you knew that? Call it what you wish, it's taking from one and giving to another. Willingly it's called charity and a good thing. Unwillingly it's called theft no matter who does the taking or why....O.L.

"Laws are made for men of ordinary understanding and should, therefore, be construed by the ordinary rules of common sense. Their meaning is not to be sought for in metaphysical subtleties which may make anything mean everything or nothing at pleasure."

—Thomas Jefferson, letter to William Johnson, 1823

[shotgun]

"We let Alaska and Hawaii in, so why not Puerto Rico???"

Alaska has paid for itself like 20 times over and puts more capital into our economy than it takes out and is strategically important in our defense. I suspect Hawaii does as well with it's exports, tourism, and defense. What would PR contribute or would it be another parastite blue state?...O.L.

Puerto Rico has two class of people, the rich and the other. The rich control Puerto Rico.

Hawaii and Alaska are like apple and oranges compared to Puerto Rico. Checkout the crime and drug rate.

Puerto Rico voted NOT to become a state because they get everything they want without statehood, and still control the money to line the pockets of the powerful.:shoot:

It's a pretty island but, with lots of problems.

[oladcock]

I guess this passed in the house but PR still has to vote for themselves. When they voted last time they had like 4 options. The trick is they may only give them 2 or 3 changing the outcome much like is done in opinion polls. I pulled this off congress.gov/blog, so the libs best be careful what they wish for. I suspected this having been around a lot of Puerto Rican's and Cuban's. If they want to become a state for the right reasons, that's great. But I'd have to think twice if I was them to open the door to the feds social and comercial meddling......O.L.

"Also it is a complete fabrication that this will help somehow get more Democratic votes in November, most members of the Puerto Rican government are very Conservative Republicans: "Polls tell us that 78 percent of the (Puerto Rico)’s residents are pro-life; 86 percent say prayer should be allowed in schools; 75 percent say displaying the Ten Commandments on government property should be allowed.. An overwhelming majority of Puerto Rican citizens embrace socially conservative values."

[jsatterfield]

A few years ago, the Vets should remember when the veterans received a $250.00 stimulus check, if I had been A Puerto Rican veteran I would have received A $14,000 check :nasty:. This I remember from the DAV news letter.