magley64 Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 It seems a ballot measure in PR has passed by a somewhat narrow margin to petition for statehood.What are your thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casper Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 I don't see why not. Definitely interested in hearing everyone else's opinions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magley64 Posted November 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 Well, since we are not in the business of conquering and colonizing anymore, Puerto Rico and DC are really the last options for statehood (unless Newt gingrich grants statehood to moon bases)I can't really come up with any reasons why they shouldn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbot Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 we should make Iraq "Hotlaska" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpoppa Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 It would be a financial drain on the US gov't. I would think that a significant percentage of people in PR would fall under the poverty line and qualify for US public welfare programs. I don't see how the we could support that fiscally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magley64 Posted November 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 It would be a financial drain on the US gov't. I would think that a significant percentage of people in PR would fall under the poverty line and qualify for US public welfare programs. I don't see how the we could support that fiscally.you don't think their tourism and natural resources would outweigh the strain on social programs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpoppa Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 you don't think their tourism and natural resources would outweigh the strain on social programs?Based on standard of living, I would have to say no. I would imagine they would be the "poorest" state.If they discovered substantial oil or gold reserves I would think everyone in D.C. would be tripping over each other to convince them to apply for statehood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magley64 Posted November 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 Based on this you have some valid points, but it appears we're already "footing the bill" so to speak...http://www.topuertorico.org/economy.shtmlDoes the change of relationship from territory to state change the benefit/cost relationship between the united states and PR? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OsuMj Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 They have a 14% unemployment rate and a $60billion (although, what's another 60 billion, when you already have trillion dollar deficits) deficit that we would inherit. I'm not against it, but I think it may be an extra strain on the budget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OsuMj Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 Forgot this: Info on Puerto Rico Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpoppa Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 I am not against adding states. There is no reason that Alaska and Hawaii should be the last ones. But the US isn't the same economic juggernaut it was when we added #49 & 50. We could absorb their economic challenges without much concern.Peurto Rico or other terrtories could be added but (IMO) they would need to meet some minimum theshold for per capita GDP, infrastructure, existence of schools, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReconRat Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 This isn't the first time it's come up. They have to vote for it themselves. The last time, they turned it down. They didn't like the idea of paying federal taxes, I think. We'll see what happens this time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smashweights Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 Last time i went to PR and visited friends, most of their friends were more interested in PR becoming an independent nation, not a state. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cg2112 Posted November 10, 2012 Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 It would be a financial drain on the US gov't. I would think that a significant percentage of people in PR would fall under the poverty line and qualify for US public welfare programs. I don't see how the we could support that fiscally.Puerto Rico is a US territory. Residents there already qualify for many US public welfare programs and government assistance. Additionally many Puerto Rican residents already pay federal taxes, and they all pay into Social Security, Medicare, unemployment, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magley64 Posted November 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 Puerto Rico is a US territory. Residents there already qualify for many US public welfare programs and government assistance. Additionally many Puerto Rican residents already pay federal taxes, and they all pay into Social Security, Medicare, unemployment, etc.this is what i was thinking, we're already footing the bill...I don't know what difference statehood would make. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jporter12 Posted November 10, 2012 Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 That would get us one more closer to 57! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gen3flygirl Posted November 10, 2012 Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 Yes let's add PR an then Texas can secede from the union and become their own nation again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jporter12 Posted November 10, 2012 Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 Can we trade California for PR? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod38um Posted November 11, 2012 Report Share Posted November 11, 2012 this is what i was thinking, we're already footing the bill...I don't know what difference statehood would make.Electoral votes.They are majority democrats as evedenced by their social program abuse and runaway debt. Being a state would entitle them to more access to federal funding though....... sound like just the thing we need though. I'm all for it. No since in pussy footing around with this slow slide into economic failure. Lets bring more democrats on board and dive right in to third world status! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revelstoker Posted November 14, 2012 Report Share Posted November 14, 2012 Adding PR adds what value? I see just increased social costs. It would be better to sell the property to Canada. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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