Puerto Rico

[A18]

Please vote AND post why

[A18]

Alright, I voted Independent Country.

Their culture is too different from ours to become a state. They should be free to govern themselves.

Also, no more "U.S. citizens that don't have to pay taxes" status.

[A18]

Who voted 51st state? Please post why

[Aegir]

51st state, because then we can finally have English and Spanish as our official languages. With that so, Spanish will be automatically taught to all school children. Wouldn't it be good for the country for nearly everyone to be bilingual? The novelty of it would be nice as well.

I know the closet racists who wrap themselves in the banner of border-control out there would have heart attacks.

[Aegir]

Their culture is too different from ours to become a state.

What about Louisiana?! When it entered the union it was practically still 100% French. We learned to accept them.

How about the millions of Italians, Polish, and Germans who came to this country in the 1800's without speaking English or knowing anything about American culture? We are certainly better off because of them.

[A18]

I guess Spain should join the Union then.

[Aegir]

I guess Spain should join the Union then.

If they wanted to I would have no problem with that. More prosperity, how terrible!

Puerto Rico has been a part of the USA for a hundred years.

[Fritz]

Both English and Spanish are official languages in Puerto Rico.

The people should be given a choice between statehood and independence.  Statehood would be a better option economically for the island, I believe.  Either would be a better option for the USA, economically, than the current status.

[A18]

I know nothing about Puerto Rico's politics. I suspect I wouldn't like them.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

The two main parties are the New Progressive Party or PNP (pro-US statehood) and the Popular Democratic Party or PPD (pro-commonwealth).  Once Puerto Rico were a State, the PNP would probably align itself with the Republicans and the PPD with the Democrats.  However the PNP would probably be no better a fit with the National Republican Party than many New England Republicans.

[khirkhib]

Puerto Rico has it pretty good right now though I think they should become a state eventually and part of the population wants it to become a state.  I also know that the people of Guam and the US Virgin Islands would like to become states in the union but really it is all futile speculation anyway because the republicans would never allow these territories to become states  because they would (as the parties are now) being giving congressional seats and EVs to the Democratic party.

[minionofmidas]

52nd state.
As a music fan, I have to insist that the UK is The Fifty-First State of America.

[badnarikin04]

52nd state.
As a music fan, I have to insist that the UK is The Fifty-First State of America.

The UK scene is nothing like the American scene. The American top 40 is full of cheese and manufactured kiddy pop.

Brits prefer actual music.

But anyways, 50 is a perfect number of states for us. Let them be independent.

[minionofmidas]

52nd state.
As a music fan, I have to insist that the UK is The Fifty-First State of America.

The UK scene is nothing like the American scene. The American top 40 is full of cheese and manufactured kiddy pop.

Brits prefer actual music.

But anyways, 50 is a perfect number of states for us. Let them be independent.

You got me wrong - that's an 80s song (I forgot by whom - early New Model Army?) "We're the Fifty First State of America, Fifty First State of America" etc, the singer obviously not liking that state of affairs.

[tkwrinklefiber]

I think it's the Puerto Ricans' decision.

As for the language thing, I don'T see why we should have to bring in a Spanish-speaking state before we start teaching more than one language from the start.  In many European countries, English language instruction starts in elementary school, so I don't see why we can't start a choice of Spanish, French, or German (or something else) early on if we so desire.

[David S]

We don't need another socialist state added to the union. Let them become independent or remain as they are.

[muon2]

We don't need another socialist state added to the union. Let them become independent or remain as they are.

I am a bit surprised at this statement. I certainly claim no expertise in the Libertarian platform, but I would have thought that self-determination by the Puerto Ricans would be most in keeping with libertarianism. I certainly would think that a libertarian living in one state wouldn't want to dictate to another state how they should run themselves (eg. socialist), as long as their government isn't foisted on the rest of the nation.

[A18]

We don't need another socialist state added to the union. Let them become independent or remain as they are.

I am a bit surprised at this statement. I certainly claim no expertise in the Libertarian platform, but I would have thought that self-determination by the Puerto Ricans would be most in keeping with libertarianism. I certainly would think that a libertarian living in one state wouldn't want to dictate to another state how they should run themselves (eg. socialist), as long as their government isn't foisted on the rest of the nation.

They would force it on the rest of the nation by electing socialists to Congress.

[Dr. Cynic]

51st State. I'm tired of all this Territory Bullsh**t. Annex it and give them equal representation.

[A18]

As said before, no more socialists

[Dr. Cynic]

I doubt a Socialist would get elected.

[A18]

Why? Massachusetts elects them all the time.

[MAS117]

I dont have a problem with PR becoming a state, i dont want spanish to become a official language though

[khirkhib]

Phillip.  Democrats are not socialist.  You've been hard-wired.

[A18]

Phillip.  Democrats are not socialist.  You've been hard-wired.

So I guess you'd be okay with a flat tax, then?