Heaven knows why they would want to be a state. They have all the benefits of American citizens without the income tax. Is that worth trading for a few congressmen.

Jingo95 on November 7, 2012 at 6:23 PM

For the ‘Rats it is.

I forgot to include Washington State losing a Congressman in my above analysis of the effects on the House. That makes the likely GOP-Dem bleed in the House to 3-4.

Heaven knows why they would want to be a state. They have all the benefits of American citizens without the income tax. Is that worth trading for a few congressmen.

What will the divided 113th Congress do with it?

If Boehner is still Speaker, I’d expect a “grand compromise” to make both PR and DC states on the false assumption that PR will be in play for Republicans. That will, however, do three things (assuming PR is as heavy-’Rat as Massachusetts):

- Cement Dingy Harry Reid as The Only Member of Congress Who Matters™ as 3-4 freshly-minted ‘Rat Senators show up in DC. It would, if the filibuster isn’t nuked, move the filibuster threshhold to 63 of 104 and the veto override/treaty ratification/impeachment conviction threshhold to 70 of 104.
- Remove 1 Republican Representative from the House in favor of a ‘Rat (states losing Representatives if this is done before 2020 would be California, Florida, Minnesota, South Carolina and Texas).
- Give the ‘Rat Presidential ticket in 2016/2020 3 additional Electoral College votes (as the total moves to 539) and take 2 Electoral College votes away from the Pubbie Presidential ticket.

Welcome Puerto Rico! Your economy is in the crapper, so we will provide welfare benefits for all of you as soon as your become American citizens. It’s all paid for by Obama money.

JustTruth101 on November 7, 2012 at 4:33 PM

In order – they are for all purposes other than voting (and that limitation ends when they move to any of the 50 states/DC), and we are.

On the U.S.’s relationship to it’s foreign territories: The election of Obama proves that this nation no longer deserves to be a world superpower. Obama is too weak and we are all going to get crushed by his debt burden.

Welcome Puerto Rico! Your economy is in the crapper, so we will provide welfare benefits for all of you as soon as your become American citizens. It’s all paid for by Obama money.

JustTruth101 on November 7, 2012 at 4:33 PM

Dude, we already are, and have been for some time.

Can we trade Texas Independence for Puerto Rico? That way the US won’t have to change the flag.

FerrousOxide on November 7, 2012 at 2:14 PM

Awesome idea.

I like it too!

The Lone Star Nation!

They might regret that decision. Much easier (and cheaper) to just suck off the government teat.

trying to get more electoral votes and more D’s in the Senate. It can be solved by split CA into Conservative and liberal states.

Oil Can on November 7, 2012 at 3:01 PM

I’m all for giving California back to Mexico and Washington State to Canada. The one is already filled with America-hating Mexicans and the other with socialized medicine-loving hippies. Oregon can pick which way they want to go. We lose a coast but small price to pay for getting rid of so many stupid greedy people.

Have we completely lost our minds?

Carnac on November 7, 2012 at 3:53 PM

Were you in a coma last night? Yes we have. We just gave an incompent rat-eared commie four more years unfettered by having to run for reelection.

Have we completely lost our minds?

However, if PR joins the Union they should also fully embrace English… that might be too high a price of admission for the majority of Puerto Ricans.

darkpixel on November 7, 2012 at 2:29 PM

It’s also totally unrealistic.

At my pharmacy today a lady tried to take advantage of a discount deal on 7 up. Half price for up to 5 bottles. She picked up 20 and wanted the half price deal. The girl at the counter explained that the offer was only half price for 5. The lady then started shouting in Spanish.

To her credit, the girl at the counter said calmly “I am sorry I do not speak your language”.

Bienvenido a Tejas!

Capitalist Hog squealing on Corporate Piggy? It really is bizarro world around here today.

HumpBot Salvation on November 7, 2012 at 2:50 PM

We eat our own.

It’s almost like we’re Republicans.

On top of that, there’s no way in HEdouble L that their reps and senators are going to support traditional American values. We have problems enough in that arena already.

“Why do so many Republicans wish to give Puerto Rico statehood?
Half of the citizens of Puerto Rico receive food stamps…Puerto Rico does not have full access to all of the United State’s welfare programs.If given statehood,however,they would.An August, 1996, report from the General Accounting Office (GAO) indicates that Puerto Ricans would pay an estimated $49 million in income taxes but would get an additional three to four billion from taxpayers in the rest of the country.

“Puerto Rico also has very high rates of AIDS, drug abuse, crime, poverty, illegitimacy, and unemployment.Our poorest state,Mississippi has a per capita income of $15,853.Puerto Rico has a per capita income of $7,630.

“Puerto Ricans who move to the United States fare worse in some respects than those who live on the island. While the illegitimacy rate on the island is at 30 percent, the figure doubles to 60 percent for Puerto Ricans on the mainland. In New York City, where all U.S. welfare programs are available to them, Puerto Ricans receive more welfare than any other group of people.

“Lastly,Puerto Rico has an entirely different language(80% of Puerto Ricans speak only Spanish)culture,and traditions.Many Puerto Ricans see themselves as Puerto Ricans,not Americans.

“Yet despite all of this,many Republicans favor giving Puerto Rico statehood…

“That’s not to say I wouldn’t want to see Puerto Rico ever be given statehood or independence,but because of its current state,it would be a terrible idea to give Puerto Rico either of the two.First,it has to get its act together…”

Akzed on November 7, 2012 at 2:31 PM

Worth repeating.

Sounds like a perfect issue for Jeb Bush! He needs a crusade to lead — this would be ideal.

/s