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Briefing Room Polls (Guests Welcome!) => The Briefingroom Polls => Topic started by: corbe on March 28, 2019, 02:49:47 pm

Title: Should Puerto Rico be granted Statehood?
Post by: corbe on March 28, 2019, 02:49:47 pm
Lawmakers to introduce bill granting Puerto Rico statehood

Camilo Montoya-Galvez
 
45 mins ago

 
Washington — A bipartisan group of lawmakers will introduce legislation Thursday that would admit Puerto Rico into the union as the 51st state without a referendum on the island's territorial status, four sources familiar with the situation told CBS News.

The bill will be unveiled by Florida Rep. Darren Soto, a Democrat who represents parts of Orlando and its large Puerto Rican community, during a press conference in Washington, which will be attended by the island's Gov. Ricardo Rosselló, a vocal supporter of Puerto Rican statehood. If enacted, the legislation would automatically trigger the island's admission into the union, bypassing any referendum, the sources said.

<..snip..>

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/lawmakers-to-introduce-bill-granting-puerto-rico-statehood/ar-BBVjPpb?ocid=ientp (http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/lawmakers-to-introduce-bill-granting-puerto-rico-statehood/ar-BBVjPpb?ocid=ientp)
Title: Re: Should Puerto Rico be granted Statehood?
Post by: Bigun on March 28, 2019, 02:51:57 pm
Not only no but HELL NO!
Title: Re: Should Puerto Rico be granted Statehood?
Post by: dfwgator on March 28, 2019, 02:52:18 pm
Hell No!
Title: Re: Should Puerto Rico be granted Statehood?
Post by: Smokin Joe on March 28, 2019, 02:57:13 pm
NO. Not by this method. The same processes to become a State other States (except West Virginia) have had to follow should be followed. When those processes start being 'bypassed', our laws become meaningless.
Title: Re: Should Puerto Rico be granted Statehood?
Post by: rustynail on March 28, 2019, 03:00:08 pm
It would be racist not to?
Title: Re: Should Puerto Rico be granted Statehood?
Post by: mountaineer on March 28, 2019, 03:03:02 pm
One option: We could cut them loose (financially) and grant them independence. Go start a new country, amigos.
Title: Re: Should Puerto Rico be granted Statehood?
Post by: Cyber Liberty on March 28, 2019, 03:06:16 pm
Thanks for the poll, @corbe!
Title: Re: Should Puerto Rico be granted Statehood?
Post by: ABX on March 28, 2019, 03:10:15 pm
If not, we need to stop taxing her citizens.
Title: Re: Should Puerto Rico be granted Statehood?
Post by: mountaineer on March 28, 2019, 03:11:07 pm
Seriously, I would like to see all the pros and cons on the issue. This article purports to be A Conservative Case against Statehood for Puerto Rico  (https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/03/puerto-rico-statehood-conservative-case-against/)and the same publication earlier presented A Conservative Case for Puerto Rican Statehood  (https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/03/puerto-rico-statehood-conservative-case/)
Title: Re: Should Puerto Rico be granted Statehood?
Post by: Bigun on March 28, 2019, 03:18:50 pm
If not, we need to stop taxing her citizens.

Why?
Title: Re: Should Puerto Rico be granted Statehood?
Post by: corbe on March 28, 2019, 03:25:28 pm
   You're so very Welcome @Cyber Liberty
   Your Boss assured me that I could get off her $hit list IF I straighten up AND this proves successful.
   All suggestions are encouraged and welcomed.
Title: Re: Should Puerto Rico be granted Statehood?
Post by: corbe on March 28, 2019, 03:35:48 pm
   2 things I want to share with my Fellow Briefers, These Morning Polls will only allow 1 full day of Voting, I have purposely left the 'Guests Voting' turned OFF because I want to encourage them to sign up and become a Member~it's painless and easy, the benefits include easier to navigate software and access to areas where Briefers expose their most deepest fears and joys in life.
Title: Re: Should Puerto Rico be granted Statehood?
Post by: jmyrlefuller on March 28, 2019, 03:44:38 pm
After they botched Maria, not a chance. They're not ready.

They deserve self-determination as all human beings do, but they're clearly not on the same level of development as the rest of the country... so it's best to cut them loose.
Title: Re: Should Puerto Rico be granted Statehood?
Post by: jmyrlefuller on March 28, 2019, 03:45:41 pm
Washington — A bipartisan group of lawmakers will introduce legislation Thursday that would admit Puerto Rico into the union as the 51st state without a referendum on the island's territorial status, four sources familiar with the situation told CBS News.
The premise is not true. They've had multiple referenda and they've passed.
Title: Re: Should Puerto Rico be granted Statehood?
Post by: jmyrlefuller on March 28, 2019, 03:46:17 pm
Why?
Taxation without representation.
Title: Re: Should Puerto Rico be granted Statehood?
Post by: Cyber Liberty on March 28, 2019, 04:04:30 pm
Taxation without representation.

With almost half this country not paying taxes, I have to say representation without taxation is no good either.  They don't have skin in the game and will vote to increase taxes on those already paying them, confident they, themselves will not be taxed.

I am not familiar enough with the tax situation on PR.
Title: Re: Should Puerto Rico be granted Statehood?
Post by: ABX on March 28, 2019, 04:08:14 pm
With almost half this country not paying taxes, I have to say representation without taxation is no good either.  They don't have skin in the game and will vote to increase taxes on those already paying them, confident they, themselves will not be taxed.

I am not familiar enough with the tax situation on PR.

Everyone pays some sort of taxes. It isn't just federal income tax. Everything from sales tax, excise taxes, loads of fees on every level of the supply chain, tariffs, social security, Medicare, etc. One can even argue federal interest rates are a tax.
Title: Re: Should Puerto Rico be granted Statehood?
Post by: Cyber Liberty on March 28, 2019, 04:18:29 pm
Everyone pays some sort of taxes. It isn't just federal income tax. Everything from sales tax, excise taxes, loads of fees on every level of the supply chain, tariffs, social security, Medicare, etc. One can even argue federal interest rates are a tax.

I understand what you're saying, and I agree.  Most people just look at the Income taxes.  Some of those taxes you mention, like excise taxes, are hidden in the prices. 
Title: Re: Should Puerto Rico be granted Statehood?
Post by: EdJames on March 28, 2019, 07:26:21 pm
@corbe

I will go with your "cut them loose" option.
Title: Re: Should Puerto Rico be granted Statehood?
Post by: Smokin Joe on March 28, 2019, 08:42:29 pm
Someone is looking for two more Democrats in the Senate.
Title: Re: Should Puerto Rico be granted Statehood?
Post by: sneakypete on March 28, 2019, 11:24:24 pm
Please repeat after me.  "HELL NO!"
Title: Re: Should Puerto Rico be granted Statehood?
Post by: Cyber Liberty on March 28, 2019, 11:52:42 pm
Please repeat after me.  "HELL NO!"

They have to pull themselves up by the bootstraps out of the turd world, first.  Until then they will be a financial drain, like having Mexico part of the United States.  I'd rather cut them loose.
Title: Re: Should Puerto Rico be granted Statehood?
Post by: Right_in_Virginia on March 28, 2019, 11:57:00 pm
@corbe

I will go with your "cut them loose" option.

 888high58888
Title: Re: Should Puerto Rico be granted Statehood?
Post by: corbe on March 29, 2019, 12:26:39 am
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3306/3433997783_7816ecdc7d_m.jpg)

*instead of the rabbit with a pancake on it's head.
Title: Re: Should Puerto Rico be granted Statehood?
Post by: sneakypete on March 29, 2019, 04:56:21 am
They have to pull themselves up by the bootstraps out of the turd world, first.  Until then they will be a financial drain, like having Mexico part of the United States.  I'd rather cut them loose.

@Cyber Liberty

The problem with cutting them loose is the Chinese would probably move in and take over. They now  have all those Wal-Mart dollars to spend,thanks to Boy Jorge and Bubba,so they can easily afford to have a "island warehouse" right off our shore.

Not to mention a place to service their subs and aircraft. Don't know about you,but I don't want Chinese nukes that close to our shores.

I would rather see the island sink beneath the waves that see that happen.
Title: Re: Should Puerto Rico be granted Statehood?
Post by: jafo2010 on March 31, 2019, 09:25:24 am
I spent 2012 working on the island and learned a great deal about what has gone on there.  First, I worked with highly educated folks there, and ALL OF THEM want independence from the USA.  However, the majority of the population there are dependent on the federal government for welfare, and they want to remain part of the USA and remain on the dole.

If there was ever a perfect example of where we were headed under Obama and why we did not want to continue on that path, the PR is a perfect example.

Also, the federal government through its trade negotiations have seriously harmed industry in the PR.  The PR was a major producer of coffee, sugar cane, etc and our government created trade deals that destroyed that business in the PR, favoring deals with Brazil over the PR as one example.

So, the USA has destroyed business on the island, kept the people on welfare, and made them dependent.

So, I agree we should allow their independence.  I think it would be better long term for the people on the island.  That does not mean we walk away completely, we maintain a solid relationship with the PR.

Another thing, the folks on the island are not subjected to taxes as we are here in the USA.  I do not understand how they get away with it, but they simply do not pay taxes like the 50 states.

Plus, super wealthy are moving there to avoid taxes that exist within the 50 states.  The fellow I work with is doing just that at this very moment.  Just not right what is going on. 

Rather than developing 3rd world nations, we should invest that money into our own people, which includes the PR.
Title: Re: Should Puerto Rico be granted Statehood?
Post by: mountaineer on March 31, 2019, 12:39:34 pm
Very interesting insights, @jafo2010  Thanks!
Title: Re: Should Puerto Rico be granted Statehood?
Post by: jafo2010 on March 31, 2019, 07:16:11 pm
Mountaineer...I went to WVU, 75 grad.  You?
Title: Re: Should Puerto Rico be granted Statehood?
Post by: mountaineer on March 31, 2019, 08:35:49 pm
Mountaineer...I went to WVU, 75 grad.  You?
My parents and husband were (I went to school in the midwest but live in WV). Hubby graduated WVU undergrad 1972 and from the WVU law school in 1976.