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Related: About this forumJohn Oliver reveals the stunningly racist history behind why some U.S. territories can’t vote
John Oliver reveals the stunningly racist history behind why some U.S. territories cant vote
via Salon: http://www.salon.com/2015/03/09/john_oliver_eviscerates_the_condescending_treatment_of_u_s_territories/
femmocrat
(28,394 posts)His show is always so informative. I wonder where they get the ideas for all the exposes he does, as they are not issues that are well-known. He doesn't take the easy route like so many other talk shows.
bluedigger
(17,077 posts)Oliver is doing a great job on his new show.
Baitball Blogger
(46,576 posts)Everyone on DU should see it.
iandhr
(6,852 posts)Puerto Rico has voted for commonwealth over statehood on several occasions.
grntuscarora
(1,249 posts)Oliver says:
"Five American Samoans are actually suing the government to change this rule, but the Obama administration has fought them by citing the insular cases from earlier which suggest American Samoans, like all residents of the territories, can be given fewer rights because they "belong to alien races differing from us in customs and modes of thought."
Why, oh why, would the Obama administration take such a position?
I simply do not understand.
BDavinciNY
(95 posts)Let's not forget the residents of Washington, DC who can vote for POTUS but lack true Congressional Representation and voting powers in Congress. It's sad that the great Eleanor Holmes Norton represents all DC residents as a Delegate but can't vote on the House Floor with no Senators from DC. I understand statehood has to be granted "from the several states" as per the Constitution but granting statehood and citizenship needs as serious update however politically uncomfortable it is to deal with!