Quote:
Originally Posted by Artisan219
No, that's not a fair comparison. I'm talking about a small group of islands in close geographical proximity. Leaving the USVI as a territory when Puerto Rico becomes a state would be like leaving the Aleutian Islands a territory off the coast of Alaska. If that were the case, even if the funding for the Aleutians came from the federal budget the administration of those funds would likely fall to Alaska. Similarly, even if the USVI remain a territory, it'd be likely that Puerto Rico would have significant influence over them.
|
weren't the Aleutian Islands part of Alaska under Russia when the U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867 as a whole?
Explain how if USVI remains a territory, Puerto Rico would have a significant influence over them as a state? that's like saying Florida has a significant influence as a state over Puerto Rico, not at all. Right now the USVI have a Governor and a legislature of 15 senators with control of the local island (except those powers that the Feds have just like P.R. and any other state) USVI have a Supreme Court, District Court, Superior Court which they control. They control their education system and tax system among other things.
Why would they give that up to be controlled by the central government of Puerto Rico under a state which will outnumber them in every vote in the legislature and court while we all know how big and inept the central government of Puerto Rico is? The governor will always be Puerto Rican because Puerto Ricans outnumber USVI 33,000 to 1.
I'm Puerto Rican and I'm telling you that is bad deal for USVI and I wouldn't do it if I was them and if this came for referendum which it has to come if they are going to unite both territories under 1 state, it will be rejected by the people of the USVI and I will bet it will also be rejected by the people of Puerto Rico.