Puerto Ricans opt for statehood in referendum

[Teh One Who Knocks]

The Associated Press


http://i.imgur.com/LI88e.jpg

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A slim majority of Puerto Ricans sought to change their ties with the United States and become the 51st U.S. state in a non-binding referendum that would require final approval from Congress.

The two-part referendum asked whether the island wanted to change its 114-year relationship with the United States. Nearly 54 percent, or 922,374 people, sought to change it, while 46 percent, or 786,749 people, favored the status quo. Ninety-six percent of 1,643 precincts were reporting as of early Wednesday.

The second question asked voters to choose from three options, with statehood by far the favorite, garnering 61 percent. Sovereign free association, which would have allowed for more autonomy, received 33 percent, while independence got 5 percent.

President Barack Obama earlier expressed support for the referendum and pledged to respect the will of the people in the event of a clear majority.

It is unclear whether U.S. Congress will debate the referendum results or if Obama will consider the results to be a clear enough majority.

Puerto Rico's resident commissioner Pedro Pierluisi, who has championed statehood, did not return calls for comment. He received 48 percent or 874,914 votes, while his opponent, Rafael Cox Alomar, received 47 percent or 855,732 votes with 96 percent of precincts reporting.

The island is currently a U.S. territory whose inhabitants are U.S. citizens but are prohibited from voting in presidential elections. Its resident commissioner in the U.S. House also has limited voting powers.

The future of the island's political status, however, also is dependent on who governs the island.

According to partial election results, pro-statehood Gov. Luis Fortuno was ousted by a razor thin margin by an opponent who supports the island's current political status.

With 96 percent of precincts reporting, challenger Alejandro Garcia Padilla with the Popular Democratic Party received 48 percent or 870,005 votes. Fortuno, a Republican and leader of the New Progressive Party, received 47 percent or 855,325 votes.

Fortuno has not issued comment, while Garcia celebrated what he called a victory.

"I can assure you we have rescued Puerto Rico," Garcia said. "This is a lesson to those who think that the well-being of Puerto Ricans should be subjected to ideologies."

Election results also pointed to a major upset for Jorge Santini, who has been mayor of the capital of San Juan for 12 years. His opponent, Carmen Yulin Cruz, received 71,736 votes compared with Santini's 66,945 votes with 96 percent of precincts reporting.

The island's elections commission said it would resume counting votes late Wednesday morning.

[FBD]

I'm sure we'll see obummer up there now saying since these people have expressed a will to be citizens and a state, we'll just *have* to respect their wishes and provide them with all the welfare they can consume.

[Griffin]

I wouldn't object to this.
Then England would probably follow suit as the 52nd.:thumbsup:

[Griffin]

...Obama however has already visited 57 states.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpGH02DtIws

[PorkChopSandwiches]

more people on the dole :dance:

[RBP]

I don't know what the difference would be for PR.

[FBD]

eligibility for porky's response

[PorkChopSandwiches]

They would get to vote and get government assistance :roll:

[RBP]

The election ushered in a number of big changes in the states, with several for the first time legalizing gay marriage and marijuana, but one of the most dramatic shifts might be a change to the actual number of states.

Puerto Ricans voted Tuesday to change their relationship with the United States and become the 51st U.S. state in a non-binding referendum that would require final approval from Congress. The AP wrote:

The two-part referendum asked whether the island wanted to change its 114-year relationship with the United States. Nearly 54 percent, or 922,374 people, sought to change it, while 46 percent, or 786,749 people, favored the status quo.

Voters then chose among three options for their new status, and statehood won with 61 percent. “Sovereign free association,” which would have allowed for more autonomy, received 33 percent, and independence garnered 5 percent.

It’s the fourth time in 45 years that Puerto Rico has voted on changing its national status — it’s currently a territory with U.S. currency and passports. The island governs itself, but its foreign policy is dictated by Washington. Puerto Rico fell under U.S. control in 1898, and in 1917, its people became U.S. citizens, able to serve in the military but not to vote in U.S. presidential elections.

Even though a poll published last March in a San Juan newspaper estimated that just 37 percent of Puerto Ricans wanted a status change, it seems the majority now think statehood would be the more fortuitous path.

For one thing, becoming a state would allow them to benefit from an extra $20 billion a year in federal funds – something Puerto Rico could use, given its 13 percent unemployment rate.

As a voter in the capital San Juan, Jerome Lefebre, told the BBC:

“We’re doing okay, but we could do better. We would receive more benefits, a lot more financial help.”

Puerto Rico the state would also gain two seats in the U.S. Senate and five in the House of Representatives — a major upgrade from the one non-voting delegate that currently represents the territory.

“The case for statehood isn’t one of additional benefits and special treatment,” said William-Jose Velez, executive president of the Puerto Rican Student Statehood Association, told the Cronkite Borderlands Initiative. “It is one of equal treatment. We want the same benefits but the same responsibilities and rights.”

Outside observers also say that statehood would bolster both Puerto Rico and the United States. Puerto Rican residents currently don’t pay federal income taxes, and companies doing business there don’t pay corporate taxes — two loopholes that would be closed if the island were made the 51st state.

“Once Puerto Rico becomes a state, its fortunes could arc upward,” writes Reuters columnist Gregg Easterbrook, pointing out that Hawaii saw marked economic growth after it was made a state in 1959.

Opponents of statehood in Puerto Rico have argued that becoming part of the United States might compromise the island’s language and culture, especially if the federal government requires it to adopt English as its sole official language (right now, it’s both Spanish and English), as a condition of its accession.

That worry prompted a 2011 presidential task force on Puerto Rico to recommend:

“Providing assurances that Puerto Rico will control its own cultural and linguistic identity would reduce concern over this possibility.”

But it may not quite be time to sew another star on your flag. Puerto Rico’s political status also depends on who wins the governorship, and the pro-statehood Gov. Luis Fortuno appears to have lost to Alejandro Garcia Padilla, who opposes statehood.

The island’s fate wasn’t as wrapped up in the outcome of the presidential race, however: Both President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney have said they would respect Puerto Ricans’ statehood decision, whatever it may be.

[PorkChopSandwiches]

:dance: More money we dont have :dance:

[Muddy]

Ohhhh I love this... :lol:


“We’re doing okay, but we could do better. We would receive more benefits, a lot more financial help.”

[RBP]

:dance: More money we dont have :dance:

idk how it balances with the federal taxes they would have to pay

[Teh One Who Knocks]

idk how it balances with the federal taxes they would have to pay

Historically, those who use the most government services also pay the least in taxes (if any). There is not nearly enough Federal tax revenue to be had in all of Puerto Rico to cover what they would be taking in from Federal Aid.

[PorkChopSandwiches]

according to wiki 41.5 % of the population lives under the poverty line. The line for handouts starts there

[RBP]

Historically, those who use the most government services also pay the least in taxes (if any). There is not nearly enough Federal tax revenue to be had in all of Puerto Rico to cover what they would be taking in from Federal Aid.

Are you assuming that or have you seen that analysis somewhere?

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Are you assuming that or have you seen that analysis somewhere?

I've seen it multiple places, plus it's just common sense...how many people making $40K, $50K or more per year (the people actually paying Federal income tax) do you know on welfare? ;)

[PorkChopSandwiches]

FEDERAL SPENDING
What would statehood cost taxpayers in increased federal spending in Puerto Rico?

Without question, statehood would result in higher federal expenditures in Puerto Rico – the real question is how much in higher spending? Regrettably, the answer is not specifically known. Despite a written request to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), they have not provided an up-to-date analysis of the cost of statehood. A similar request to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on the costs to these two programs was also not answered. It is important to note that the CBO analysis provided in the bill report relates only to the cost of conducting the vote process in Puerto Rico.

In an effort to quantify the costs, Committee staff reviewed information by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). Through information compiled from these sources on the spending of just ten federal programs (see chart), the cost per year is estimated to be at least $4.5-7.7 billion. When all the costs of every federal program are calculated, the cost would clearly be significantly higher.

Some of the increased spending in Puerto Rico would result in higher overall spending, and some programs have a formula for dividing a set amount of money amongst the states, which means that adding a 51st state would result in less money going to the existing 50 states.

http://naturalresources.house.gov/UploadedPhotos/MediumResolution/e4c625e5-89a8-4a2a-9177-f93cd68abcbc.jpg

http://naturalresources.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=183105

[Teh One Who Knocks]

:woot:

[PorkChopSandwiches]

sounds fantastic

[Muddy]

Shit, lets dump these mother fcukers and save 3 billion bucks.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Any more poor places we can bring in as states so we can give away more of our money? :-k

[Muddy]

Any more poor places we can bring in as states so we can give away more of our money? :-k

How about Haiti and the Bahamas?

[Teh One Who Knocks]

How about Haiti and the Bahamas?

Hell yeah! :tup:

[RBP]

Can we dump a few (blue) states and save that money too? :-k

[PorkChopSandwiches]

I vote we also adopt Mexico

[RBP]

and Canada

[Teh One Who Knocks]

I bet there's a few countries in Africa we could bring in as states as well :-k

But only the ones without any resources, we don't want any revenue coming in, only tax money going out :hand:

[Muddy]

Finland took Greece, we should be kind and take Mehico..

[RBP]

Only 19 states have a positive federal contribution according to this article on wiki.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_taxation_and_spending_by_state

[PorkChopSandwiches]

:hand: That doesnt mean we should add to the problem Obama ;)

[RBP]

:hand: That doesnt mean we should add to the problem Obama ;)

Well ok, but just saying it's not like this is a unique PR issue

[Griffin]

According to that chart Puerto Rico is less of a burden than 12 existing states.

DC just needs to be cut off, there are way too many living off the government tit there.

[Muddy]

I'm surprised Virginia is so high.. It much be our high negro population.

[Shady]

Can we dump a few (blue) states and save that money too? :-k

They would start with Illinois :dance:


Only 19 states have a positive federal contribution according to this article on wiki.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_taxation_and_spending_by_state

:hand: That's 2007 data.

[RBP]

They would start with Illinois :dance:

:hand: That's 2007 data.

Yay a poster!!!


You have better data?? :-s

[Shady]

Not currently but I have this

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/22/illinois-budget-deficit-w_n_1618469.html

[RBP]

Not currently but I have this

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/22/illinois-budget-deficit-w_n_1618469.html

yeah well.... fuck.

[Acid Trip]

New York, California, and Illinois. All in massive debt and all Democrat controlled.

[FBD]

Dont forget CT & RI which have massive unfunded pension obligations also. CT has the highest per capita in the nation :dance: All overtly democrat controlled, union-controlled.

[Godfather]

Doesn't matter a lick to me, but you have to admit that the 51 State Flag looks awesome :lol:

http://i50.tinypic.com/mwzn79.png

[FBD]

:hand:[-( get that shit out of here

[Muddy]

:hand:[-( get that shit out of here

:lol: