Puerto Rico votes yes to become the 51st state (house of representatives, wisdom, independence)

[GTOlover]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Puerto Rico is a drop in the bucket when you consider there are already 35 million people in the U.S. who speak Spanish at home. Although it is true that nowhere in the 50 states is instutitionally functional in Spanish on almost all levels like Puerto Rico is.

As for Quebec and French in Canada in general, it's still roughly double (proportionately) what Spanish represents in the U.S. Plus Quebec is the biggest province (area-wise) and second-biggest population-wise in the country. This also makes a big difference. The situation is not really analogous.

Us Canadian should ofer them to join us since we could use a place to escape too in winter and get some sun and fun since Mexico lost alot of its tourism industry to the Drug Catels wars another country can pick up the Revenue and create a massive boom in tourism and huge investments in Resorts and infastructure.

[Packard fan]

Give PR to Cuba; Castor won't be alive much longer.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by VTHokieFan

Should we let them become a state? I know only Congress has a say in the matter, but what say you?

Since I'm not Puerto Rican I don't feel entitled to an opinion on this. I want what PR wants.

[jackmccullough]

I was surprised at this result. The previous elections have been pretty unclear.

Do they still have the exemption from federal income taxation? I would think that if they were to become a state that would go away, right?

[All American NYC]

Originally Posted by BigDGeek

Since I'm not Puerto Rican I don't feel entitled to an opinion on this. I want what PR wants.

If you are an American your opinion counts as well. Its not ultimately up to Puerto Rico, but U.S congress.

[VTHokieFan]

Originally Posted by jackmccullough

I was surprised at this result. The previous elections have been pretty unclear.

Do they still have the exemption from federal income taxation? I would think that if they were to become a state that would go away, right?

Yes. I'm sure they're fully aware of that implication.

[foadi]

Originally Posted by All American NYC

If you are an American your opinion counts as well. Its not ultimately up to Puerto Rico, but U.S congress.

both the republican and democratic party platforms are 100% pro-statehood, so it will pass in congress no problem.

[Packard fan]

Originally Posted by BigDGeek

Since I'm not Puerto Rican I don't feel entitled to an opinion on this. I want what PR wants.

I DO have an opinion on that since PR or any other land maybe added to the US would affect me.

[moving123456]

Originally Posted by trlhiker

They wish to become citizens, i say let them.

They are already U.S. citizens.

[RedRage]

I don't see what the problem is with giving PR statehood (besides what's been pointed out about costs) but if costs are a concern, then why not cut California and every southern state with the exception of Texas loose because I'm sure Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama, for example, are definitely a strain on the US (just like California)?

I'm being sarcastic but on a serious note, PR's are US citizens. If they want statehood, give it to em' because at least this way they WILL pay federal taxes (I believe they don't but correct me if I'm wrong).