Puerto Rico status referendum - June 11

[SoLongAtlas]

The commonwealth option got fewer votes than statehood in the last referendum, so it's clear that Puerto Rico doesn't support it.

Nothing is clear until the votes are cast this time, not last time.  Not giving voters the option to keep the status quo seems just wrong, to me.  No change should be an option.

The reason it was added back in is because the GOP Congress and Trump WH do not want PR statehood which would require a massive bailout of the island to the tune of over $70 billion. Even if it did pass with 50+%, Congress would still not vote on it due to the debt issue. My guess is that if statehood does get 50+ in the ref, the only way PR becomes a state is if a Dem House takes it up starting in 2019 if they take it back. The Senate will still be Rep so it would necessitate a compromise.

[Dr. Arch]

How is the national mood in Puerto Rico, you ask?

https://www.facebook.com/fusionmedianetwork/videos/1911510175541618/

Very angry

[Webnicz]

The commonwealth option got fewer votes than statehood in the last referendum, so it's clear that Puerto Rico doesn't support it.

Nothing is clear until the votes are cast this time, not last time.  Not giving voters the option to keep the status quo seems just wrong, to me.  No change should be an option.

The reason it was added back in is because the GOP Congress and Trump WH do not want PR statehood which would require a massive bailout of the island to the tune of over $70 billion. Even if it did pass with 50+%, Congress would still not vote on it due to the debt issue. My guess is that if statehood does get 50+ in the ref, the only way PR becomes a state is if a Dem House takes it up starting in 2019 if they take it back. The Senate will still be Rep so it would necessitate a compromise.

Yes, because here in America, we choose to bail out the big banks, not our own territories that contain American citizens.

[Virginiá]

How is the national mood in Puerto Rico, you ask?

https://www.facebook.com/fusionmedianetwork/videos/1911510175541618/

Very angry

Are there any polls right now that could give us some insight into this referendum?

I'm wondering if this vote is going to be against statehood. I can certainly understand the anger down there, but if Puerto Rico does not continually push for statehood, it'll probably never happen. Voting to remain a territory, or get independence, or anything but statehood only hurts any future chances of becoming a state.

[Dr. Arch]

How is the national mood in Puerto Rico, you ask?

https://www.facebook.com/fusionmedianetwork/videos/1911510175541618/

Very angry

Are there any polls right now that could give us some insight into this referendum?

I'm wondering if this vote is going to be against statehood. I can certainly understand the anger down there, but if Puerto Rico does not continually push for statehood, it'll probably never happen. Voting to remain a territory, or get independence, or anything but statehood only hurts any future chances of becoming a state.

@Polls: No. There are no reliable polling companies in Puerto Rico, unfortunately. Furthermore, the way I see this going, Statehood will fail in the referendum.

People are at the brim. Here are some events that have happened. I can share the videos and/or links for them if you like.

1) State legislators are being escorted by SWAT teams because of all the protests and dissent. They're just ignoring their constituents at this point.

2) A state legislator elbowed a peaceful protester and it broke into a fist fight. The policemen who were right beside him did not even arrest him and escorted him away.

3) The University of Puerto Rico system is on full strike and has been for over 2 weeks. All public higher education has been paralyzed in response to the $600M+ cut from the university's budget that the undemocratic fiscal committee wants to implement.

4) A national protest (at all institutional and functional levels) is happening on May 1st.

5) More austerity measures are being implemented as the days go by.

6) As recently as a couple of hours ago, a bunch of protesters broke into the private fiscal committee's meeting (through armed forces) and stopped the vote to cut more budget items.

7) A number of municipalities have declared bankruptcy and some of them will lose their emergency response services soon, unless the employees volunteer to continue.

https://www.facebook.com/fusionmedianetwork/videos/1911510175541618/

If you're wondering why you haven't heard any of this, it's because there's a media blackout on it. The special interests want their money back, and nobody is going to hear about the humanitarian disaster happening to Americans in Puerto Rico under the U.S.'s watch.

I could have never envisioned seeing the island deteriorate in the ways it has over the last few weeks. The referendum vote might be a shocker, and there might even be intervention from other countries or the UN if it goes down the way it's looking.

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

So you think they'll vote for independence? Because they're certainly not content with the status quo

[Dr. Arch]

So you think they'll vote for independence? Because they're certainly not content with the status quo

Chances are next to none on independence. Sovereignty might pull through, but many view statehood as the solution to the problems (and it is for the most part). I'd say this has gone from Likely Statehood to Tilt Statehood at best.

[OneJ]

Does it mean Congress bailing out on or the citizens bailing out on statehood?

[Dr. Arch]

Does it mean Congress bailing out on or the citizens bailing out on statehood?

Congress has been bailing out on statehood for quite some time now, but this might be the first time that PR citizens bail out on the mainland. It all depends on whether the majority sees the problem as rooted in the mainland's policies or not. The incumbent party (pro-statehood) has been defiant and treating the public like trash, so even that could be enough to tip the scales. We'll see. It's a complex result to predict because PR culture is inextricably linked to the mainland's at this point and many would like to see that relationship solidify.

[Dr. Arch]

National strike is ongoing today. Practically everything, but the most essential services are closed and everyone around the island is marching on the streets. Just a short FYI. Let me know if you want more info.

[Dr. Arch]

The Puerto Rican government has declared a sort of bankruptcy. The island's economy is now officially shot. Congress doesn't give a hoot.

[Virginiá]

The Puerto Rican government has declared a sort of bankruptcy. The island's economy is now officially shot. Congress doesn't give a hoot.

It's totally absurd and very sad how this has all played out. Why can't Congress help these people? They are Americans ffs. This is the problem I have with territory/other status(es). Either make them a state and give them the benefits of one, or cut them loose.

Instead, Congress puts the Island through economic hell with savage austerity measures (eg, doing something we have seen time and time again completely fail elsewhere in the world)

[SoLongAtlas]

The Puerto Rican government has declared a sort of bankruptcy. The island's economy is now officially shot. Congress doesn't give a hoot.

It's totally absurd and very sad how this has all played out. Why can't Congress help these people? They are Americans ffs. This is the problem I have with territory/other status(es). Either make them a state and give them the benefits of one, or cut them loose.

Instead, Congress puts the Island through economic hell with savage austerity measures (eg, doing something we have seen time and time again completely fail elsewhere in the world)

At this point, Congress needs further action or we will see and hear the "Viva la Revolucion" types and riots in the streets in PR. This might be enough to shift the ref in favor of independence.

[Dr. Arch]

The Puerto Rican government has declared a sort of bankruptcy. The island's economy is now officially shot. Congress doesn't give a hoot.

It's totally absurd and very sad how this has all played out. Why can't Congress help these people? They are Americans ffs. This is the problem I have with territory/other status(es). Either make them a state and give them the benefits of one, or cut them loose.

Instead, Congress puts the Island through economic hell with savage austerity measures (eg, doing something we have seen time and time again completely fail elsewhere in the world)

At this point, Congress needs further action or we will see and hear the "Viva la Revolucion" types and riots in the streets in PR. This might be enough to shift the ref in favor of independence.

Very much true. The perfect storm is brewing.

[KingSweden]

My view is that while I'd like Puerto Rico to choose statehood and I will advocate strongly for that, I am fine with whatever they choose in the end.

Me too.

[publicunofficial]

Not helping things is that Puerto Rico is facing population loss on par with what Ireland experienced during the potato famine.

(The hack in me hopes they're moving mostly to Florida and not New York.)

[Dr. Arch]

Not helping things is that Puerto Rico is facing population loss on par with what Ireland experienced during the potato famine.

(The hack in me hopes they're moving mostly to Florida and not New York.)

Yeah, mostly to FL. That's why Hillsborough voted the way it did this year. It's leaking into Pinellas too. A ton going to TX and GA as well.

[Tintrlvr]

Not helping things is that Puerto Rico is facing population loss on par with what Ireland experienced during the potato famine.

(The hack in me hopes they're moving mostly to Florida and not New York.)

Yeah, mostly to FL. That's why Hillsborough voted the way it did this year. It's leaking into Pinellas too. A ton going to TX and GA as well.

Significant movement to NY also, of course. The Puerto Rico crisis is a big part of why the Bronx is the fastest-growing borough in NYC right now.

[Virginiá]

Yeah, mostly to FL. That's why Hillsborough voted the way it did this year. It's leaking into Pinellas too. A ton going to TX and GA as well.

If I could indulge my inner hack for a moment here - who exactly do they blame for this issue? Party-wise, do you think 4 years of Trump presiding over Puerto Rico's worsening problems is going to turn mainland Puerto Ricans further against Republicans? I understand if they may not look at it through the same partisan lens, but if you had to guess - ?

[Dr. Arch]

Yeah, mostly to FL. That's why Hillsborough voted the way it did this year. It's leaking into Pinellas too. A ton going to TX and GA as well.

If I could indulge my inner hack for a moment here - who exactly do they blame for this issue? Party-wise, do you think 4 years of Trump presiding over Puerto Rico's worsening problems is going to turn mainland Puerto Ricans further against Republicans? I understand if they may not look at it through the same partisan lens, but if you had to guess - ?

Absolutely. Republicans were already disliked among Puerto Ricans before the Trumpish sentiments took the helm. Trump has already quarreled with Puerto Rico, dismissing their/our crisis as people trying to "mooch off the government." Yeah, his actions will just keep polarizing mainland and island Puerto Ricans alike.

Both parties share part of the blame, but Republicans are the ones openly trying to eviscerate the island. At least Democrats extended olive branches here and there.

A Democratic Congress wouldn't allow what's currently happening to continue either.

Stuff like this crap will sink him and the rest of the GOP fast:

"Puerto Rico Files for Bankruptcy the Day After Trump Brags about Blocking Funds"
Link: http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/05/thousands-protest-puerto-rico-debt-cuts

[Xing]

"America First!"¹

1 - Unless it's a territory, then we don't give a crap.

[MasterJedi]

Statehood is needed now more than ever.

[Dr. Arch]

Statehood is needed now more than ever.

Republicans won't give it even if it means having Americans die of famine.

[MasterJedi]

Statehood is needed now more than ever.

Republicans won't give it even if it means having Americans die of famine.

Obviously I'm not all "Republicans" but even when I considered myself one I always supported statehood. Then again I'd probably also be called an "evil neoconservative".

[Dr. Arch]

Statehood is needed now more than ever.

Republicans won't give it even if it means having Americans die of famine.

Obviously I'm not all "Republicans" but even when I considered myself one I always supported statehood. Then again I'd probably also be called an "evil neoconservative".

I'm referring to Republican leaders, congressmen, etc., but yeah, the party has left people like you in the dust.