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Ichingcarpenter

(36,988 posts)
Wed Nov 7, 2012, 03:46 AM Nov 2012

Puerto Rico Chooses to Become the 51st State

n a slightly-less publicized election, citizens of Puerto Rico have decided to embrace statehood and become the 51st state of America. Although not all precincts have reported their tallies, 65% of votes that have been counted are in favor of statehood. Many Puerto Ricans wanted to vote in tonight’s election, but were unable to do so. Under its current relationship with the United States, Puerto Rico is only considered a territory, and is unable to participate in presidential elections. The territory also has a very limited representation in Congress, which causes some citizens to feel left out of the law making process in the United States. The transition to statehood has previously been proposed to Puerto Ricans, however citizens previously decided against statehood.


Although the transition to statehood has been all but approved by citizens of Puerto Rico, there is still one more hurdle for the aspiring state to jump through: Congress. In order for Puerto Rico to officially earn statehood, Congress must vote on the matter. President Obama stated that he supports whatever the citizens of Puerto Rico support, which may help the territory in the long run. Although the election is over, one looming question remains: Where will the extra star go on the flag?




http://yilb.com/puerto-rico-chooses-to-become-the-51st-state/


37 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Puerto Rico Chooses to Become the 51st State (Original Post) Ichingcarpenter Nov 2012 OP
well the good news is that 51 is not a prime number oldhippydude Nov 2012 #1
Better Link on the story from Boston Globe Ichingcarpenter Nov 2012 #3
The English issue shouldn't be that big a deal. Louisiana is dual language. OmahaBlueDog Nov 2012 #17
New Mexico also has two official languages meow2u3 Nov 2012 #30
Here's what it'd look like NYC Liberal Nov 2012 #10
I would gladly welcome them into the country...... Swede Atlanta Nov 2012 #2
The whole nation as one should approve of this action... GetTheRightVote Nov 2012 #4
Even bigger question, imv, is.. when will we get a Congress that Cha Nov 2012 #5
Both parties are on record as supporting statehood if requested cemaphonic Nov 2012 #6
fantastic... i'm not going to count stars with these tired eyes n/t oldhippydude Nov 2012 #8
I see a peace symbol in there somewhere!! nt Tigress DEM Nov 2012 #20
Get Betsy Ross to sew it! RedCloud Nov 2012 #36
"Welcome to the US of A." Revolutionary Girl Nov 2012 #7
Great news! OmahaBlueDog Nov 2012 #9
Or maybe DC will finally gain statehood. nt Terra Alta Nov 2012 #12
That problem needs solving one way or the other OmahaBlueDog Nov 2012 #14
i go with the maryland option it makes a lot of sense. loli phabay Nov 2012 #25
Their current Gov handed the republican primary 'votes' to Mitt 100% Sunlei Nov 2012 #11
Wonder how much fiveforty.com will cost Nate krawhitham Nov 2012 #13
Wouldn't that be theKed Nov 2012 #22
reps are locked to 435 people unless the 1929 law is changed krawhitham Nov 2012 #24
This would be a good opportunity to fix congressional apportionment. joshcryer Nov 2012 #32
5 states would lose reps tarheelsunc Nov 2012 #33
Which would probably come from the 7 states that just gained seats due to the 2010 census Angleae Nov 2012 #34
"I like it here in America...." TeamPooka Nov 2012 #15
Go Rita! (nt) Kurovski Nov 2012 #19
I liked all the flag designs people displayed Ichingcarpenter Nov 2012 #16
AWESOME!! Bienvenido Compadres! Tigress DEM Nov 2012 #18
The president from the 50th state ushers in #51 loyalsister Nov 2012 #21
Good! More Dem votes! Odin2005 Nov 2012 #23
GOP death blow. Barack_America Nov 2012 #26
This is great news argiel1234 Nov 2012 #27
To be fair there should be another made into a state and that's Washington DC LynneSin Nov 2012 #28
My family and I have been waiting for this for so long... XtopherXtopher Nov 2012 #29
Another, non-political benefit of Puerto Rican statehood meow2u3 Nov 2012 #31
how will this affect the electoral college system outsideworld Nov 2012 #35
Very poorly for repugs! RedCloud Nov 2012 #37

OmahaBlueDog

(10,000 posts)
17. The English issue shouldn't be that big a deal. Louisiana is dual language.
Wed Nov 7, 2012, 04:23 AM
Nov 2012

Playing the cynic for a moment, if you are the Republicans, voting for PR statehood would be a quick way to improve your standing with Latino voters.

meow2u3

(24,761 posts)
30. New Mexico also has two official languages
Wed Nov 7, 2012, 11:44 PM
Nov 2012

English and Spanish. If New Mexico and Lousiana can have two official languages, why not PR?

 

Swede Atlanta

(3,596 posts)
2. I would gladly welcome them into the country......
Wed Nov 7, 2012, 03:55 AM
Nov 2012

But I want this to be a decision taken by the people and not leaders there.

Cha

(297,154 posts)
5. Even bigger question, imv, is.. when will we get a Congress that
Wed Nov 7, 2012, 04:02 AM
Nov 2012

will let Puerto Rico become the 51st State?

cemaphonic

(4,138 posts)
6. Both parties are on record as supporting statehood if requested
Wed Nov 7, 2012, 04:06 AM
Nov 2012

I guess we'll see who is serious. It certainly would be a neat bit of history.

As to your last point, this flag is awesome:

OmahaBlueDog

(10,000 posts)
14. That problem needs solving one way or the other
Wed Nov 7, 2012, 04:20 AM
Nov 2012

Either:

a) DC residents become income-tax exempt
b) Give them statehood or
c) Make everything north of the Potomac part of Maryland.

Very good point you make!

Sunlei

(22,651 posts)
11. Their current Gov handed the republican primary 'votes' to Mitt 100%
Wed Nov 7, 2012, 04:13 AM
Nov 2012

Their current citizens have a way to go to get out from under their leaderships control. Demanding a minium wage and way improved work conditions- would be a good start.

theKed

(1,235 posts)
22. Wouldn't that be
Wed Nov 7, 2012, 04:48 AM
Nov 2012

fivefortyone.com?

Puerto Rico would get 3 electoral college votes (1 from congressional representation, 2 from senate representation), not 2...

krawhitham

(4,643 posts)
24. reps are locked to 435 people unless the 1929 law is changed
Wed Nov 7, 2012, 11:31 PM
Nov 2012

A state somewhere would lose a rep and it would be given to Puerto Rico

tarheelsunc

(2,117 posts)
33. 5 states would lose reps
Thu Nov 8, 2012, 12:05 AM
Nov 2012

PR's population would lead to it receiving 5 representatives and thus 7 electoral votes.

Angleae

(4,482 posts)
34. Which would probably come from the 7 states that just gained seats due to the 2010 census
Thu Nov 8, 2012, 06:36 AM
Nov 2012

Arizona
Florida (x2)
Georgia
Nevada
Texas (x4)
Utah
Washington

 

argiel1234

(390 posts)
27. This is great news
Wed Nov 7, 2012, 11:39 PM
Nov 2012

Puerto Rico would become another solid state for a progressive majority. Wonder what the makeup would be with house reps

XtopherXtopher

(70 posts)
29. My family and I have been waiting for this for so long...
Wed Nov 7, 2012, 11:40 PM
Nov 2012

...it brought tears to my eyes to find out about it.

My aunts and uncles, cousins and second-cousins, grandparents, grand-uncles and grand-aunts, ALL of them are Americans, EVERY SINGLE ONE of them is a United States citizen by birth! They still can't vote in presidential elections or have voting representation in congress simply because of their home address!

Here's hoping anti-statehood Padilla doesn't fuck this up. The will of the people must be obeyed.

meow2u3

(24,761 posts)
31. Another, non-political benefit of Puerto Rican statehood
Wed Nov 7, 2012, 11:47 PM
Nov 2012

The US baseball team will be absolutely awesome and will kick Japanese asses back to Tokyo!

As much as half the roster would be from Puerto Rico.

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