Democrats call for Puerto Rico statehood

[mota bhai 2,675]

Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) introduced a bill Thursday that would allow Puerto Rico to begin the process of seeking statehood.

S. 2020, the Puerto Rico Status Resolution Act, would provide for a federally-sponsored vote on the territory’s admission as a state. If a majority of voters affirm that they want Puerto Rico to become a state, the bill requires the president to transmit legislation to Congress to admit Puerto Rico to the union.

“Puerto Rico has spent nearly 116 years as an American territory. That’s long enough,” Heinrich said. “The debate over Puerto Rico’s status needs to be settled once and for all so that its people can focus on fostering a more prosperous future.”

In 2012, 54 percent of Puerto Ricans voted to reject their current U.S. territory status and instead favored statehood.

Res. Comm. Pedro Pierluisi (D-P.R.) introduced a companion measure in the House, H.R. 2000.

“Those of us who seek equality and justice through statehood understand that this struggle requires passion and determination, but that it also demands strategic thought and action,” Pierluisi said. “The filing of a Senate companion bill to H.R. 2000 demonstrates that the momentum in favor of statehood continues to build. We are closer than ever before to achieving our goal.”

Because Puerto Rico is a territory and not a state, it receives only a percentage of the federal aid that a state would.

“Residents of Puerto Rico are leaving in unprecedented numbers for the states in search of the quality of life they deserve as American citizens,” Pierluisi said. “The people of Puerto Rico comprehend that this crisis is structural in nature, rooted in the unequal and undemocratic treatment that Puerto Rico receives because it is a territory.”

http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/198341-senators-call-for-puerto-rico-statehood

Edited February 13, 2014 by mota bhai

[Merle 458]

I wonder why it's all Democrats championing this?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Who needs borders anyways? I would go for a benevolent anarchy every time. Problem is, women start organizing everything, while men just want to get drunk, screw, and pass out. The world would be better without bake sales and decorative things that serve no purpose other than to fill shelve space.

[JohnR! 5,495]

They need more than that.. There is an entire process that needs to be followed in order to be admitted to union... Having the people back up the initiative is already a good start...

In 2012, 54 percent of Puerto Ricans voted to reject their current U.S. territory status and instead favored statehood.

Edited February 13, 2014 by Gegel

[mota bhai 2,675]

The world would be better without bake sales and decorative things that serve no purpose other than to fill shelve space.

Well put. However, this thread is about Puerto Rico. Focus, old man...

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Well put. However, this thread is about Puerto Rico. Focus, old man...

Some day, you will see the connection.

[mota bhai 2,675]

Or you could be a great man and accelerate my personal development and just tell me.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Or you could be a great man and accelerate my personal development and just tell me.

I am only allowed to encourage you along the path, not decide that path for you. The journey in the important thing, not the final destination.

[mota bhai 2,675]

I am only allowed to encourage you along the path, not decide that path for you. The journey in the important thing, not the final destination.

STFU hippie.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

STFU hippie.

I can't help it. I took an undeclared minor in religious studies.

And I listened to lots of Doors and took way too many mind altering drugs. I blame timothy leary.

Edited February 14, 2014 by The Postmaster

[mota bhai 2,675]

Haha. My undeclared almost-minor was Philosophy. I had one more class left to actually finish but it was either that or graduate and start that job I already had an offer for so.... I took the red pill and exited the Matrix.

[Darnell 8,479]

Back at post #1 -

uh oh. Lots of PAC money gonna get spent this season,

as big business enjoys the tax loopholes with the PR-business units.

Lobby, Lobby, Lobby.

Apologies, this one won't pass.

If'n it does, I'll stop using 'The Kenyan' as the most righteous label.

[Neonred 3,656]

And won't the folks in DC be pissed if this moves forward yet they are ignored.

Love the logo on their license plates "Taxation without representation"

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

And won't the folks in DC be pissed if this moves forward yet they are ignored.

Love the logo on their license plates "Taxation without representation"

as i understand it, the folks in the PR get public assistance but pay no taxes. That's BS

Ever been around a bunch of PR, and here what most think of the US

Cut them lose.

Watch them become Haiti real quick, while crying out. Where did uncle sugar go

There are lots of little Islands that would love to have our Military bases and money

[mota bhai 2,675]

Cut them lose.

Watch them become Haiti real quick, while crying out. Where did uncle sugar go

And what of the fact that everyone alive today who was born in Puerto Rico is an American citizen?

An independent country where everyone is American?

How does that work?