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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsPuerto Rico Chooses to Become the 51st State
n a slightly-less publicized election, citizens of Puerto Rico have decided to embrace statehood and become the 51st state of America. Although not all precincts have reported their tallies, 65% of votes that have been counted are in favor of statehood. Many Puerto Ricans wanted to vote in tonights election, but were unable to do so. Under its current relationship with the United States, Puerto Rico is only considered a territory, and is unable to participate in presidential elections. The territory also has a very limited representation in Congress, which causes some citizens to feel left out of the law making process in the United States. The transition to statehood has previously been proposed to Puerto Ricans, however citizens previously decided against statehood.
Although the transition to statehood has been all but approved by citizens of Puerto Rico, there is still one more hurdle for the aspiring state to jump through: Congress. In order for Puerto Rico to officially earn statehood, Congress must vote on the matter. President Obama stated that he supports whatever the citizens of Puerto Rico support, which may help the territory in the long run. Although the election is over, one looming question remains: Where will the extra star go on the flag?
http://yilb.com/puerto-rico-chooses-to-become-the-51st-state/
oldhippydude
(2,514 posts)but 17 rows of 3.. or 3 rows of 17 going to be odd..
Ichingcarpenter
(36,988 posts)Flag questions and 'english ' as official language
Its gonna be interesting how this plays out.
LInk:
http://www.boston.com/news/world/caribbean/2012/11/07/puerto-rico-votes-ties-and-chooses-governor/M1LJwGV2Pyyr9GzAURdCkO/story.html
OmahaBlueDog
(10,000 posts)Playing the cynic for a moment, if you are the Republicans, voting for PR statehood would be a quick way to improve your standing with Latino voters.
meow2u3
(24,772 posts)English and Spanish. If New Mexico and Lousiana can have two official languages, why not PR?
NYC Liberal
(20,136 posts)And for fun:
Swede Atlanta
(3,596 posts)But I want this to be a decision taken by the people and not leaders there.
GetTheRightVote
(5,287 posts)it is ours, we should own it.
Cha
(297,655 posts)will let Puerto Rico become the 51st State?
cemaphonic
(4,138 posts)I guess we'll see who is serious. It certainly would be a neat bit of history.
As to your last point, this flag is awesome:
oldhippydude
(2,514 posts)Tigress DEM
(7,887 posts)RedCloud
(9,230 posts)By far the best!
Revolutionary Girl
(90 posts)OmahaBlueDog
(10,000 posts)51 stars will be wiered, but we'll manage. Maybe we could convince Guam to come in.
Terra Alta
(5,158 posts)OmahaBlueDog
(10,000 posts)Either:
a) DC residents become income-tax exempt
b) Give them statehood or
c) Make everything north of the Potomac part of Maryland.
Very good point you make!
loli phabay
(5,580 posts)Sunlei
(22,651 posts)Their current citizens have a way to go to get out from under their leaderships control. Demanding a minium wage and way improved work conditions- would be a good start.
krawhitham
(4,647 posts)theKed
(1,235 posts)fivefortyone.com?
Puerto Rico would get 3 electoral college votes (1 from congressional representation, 2 from senate representation), not 2...
krawhitham
(4,647 posts)A state somewhere would lose a rep and it would be given to Puerto Rico
joshcryer
(62,276 posts)At the bare minimum we should double it.
tarheelsunc
(2,117 posts)PR's population would lead to it receiving 5 representatives and thus 7 electoral votes.
Angleae
(4,493 posts)Arizona
Florida (x2)
Georgia
Nevada
Texas (x4)
Utah
Washington
TeamPooka
(24,254 posts)Kurovski
(34,655 posts)Ichingcarpenter
(36,988 posts)I wonder when the TV news media will comment?
Tigress DEM
(7,887 posts)Not sure if I spelled that right. Welcome Good Friends!
loyalsister
(13,390 posts)makes for a very cool moment in our history.
Odin2005
(53,521 posts)Barack_America
(28,876 posts)San Juan also happens to be my favorite place on earth, so I say, LET'S DO IT!
argiel1234
(390 posts)Puerto Rico would become another solid state for a progressive majority. Wonder what the makeup would be with house reps
LynneSin
(95,337 posts)Just saying!
XtopherXtopher
(70 posts)...it brought tears to my eyes to find out about it.
My aunts and uncles, cousins and second-cousins, grandparents, grand-uncles and grand-aunts, ALL of them are Americans, EVERY SINGLE ONE of them is a United States citizen by birth! They still can't vote in presidential elections or have voting representation in congress simply because of their home address!
Here's hoping anti-statehood Padilla doesn't fuck this up. The will of the people must be obeyed.
meow2u3
(24,772 posts)The US baseball team will be absolutely awesome and will kick Japanese asses back to Tokyo!
As much as half the roster would be from Puerto Rico.