General Discussion

sufrommich

(22,871 posts) Sun Nov 4, 2012, 02:33 PM Nov 2012

Puerto Rican vote for statehood leads with 48%.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Reuters) - Puerto Ricans, long divided over the U.S. Caribbean territory's political status, head to the polls on Tuesday in a vote that will help determine whether the island seeks to become the 51st U.S. state.

Debate over the island's status has long dominated politics in Puerto Rico, where political parties are formed around the preference for statehood, independence or its current status as a self-governing commonwealth.
defendmidemocracy.comPuerto Ricans have voted to remain a U.S. territory in four previous votes held since 1967, but the margin of victory has decreased over the years.

The plebiscite was proposed by Republican Governor Luis Fortuno, president of the New Progressive Party, which supports statehood. It is alternately viewed by Puerto Ricans as an opportunity to improve the island's economic future, a chance to shake off the vestiges of its colonial past or a ploy by Fortuno to win a second term.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-rt-us-usa-campaign-puertoricobre8a30dp-20121104,0,5738199.story?page=1

13 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Puerto Rican vote for statehood leads with 48%. (Original Post) sufrommich Nov 2012 OP

I didn't realize that this was back on the ballot again BumRushDaShow Nov 2012 #1

I didn't either, found a link on twitter. One more blue sufrommich Nov 2012 #4

PR statehood would guarantee Democratic Presidents and Senate, so cthulu2016 Nov 2012 #2

Which is why DC will never become a state LTR Nov 2012 #11

I hope statehood wins RB TexLa Nov 2012 #3

I do too. I wonder what the political ramifications sufrommich Nov 2012 #5

well Fortuno and the NPP, which favors statehood and has its largest wing aligned with the Reps Mr.Turnip Nov 2012 #8

If PR becomes a state, an immediate round of redistricting would be required right? Mr.Turnip Nov 2012 #6

I really don't know how that works,was wondering the same. nt sufrommich Nov 2012 #9

It's time to repeal the 435 cap anyway. politicat Nov 2012 #12

I don't care if they vote D or R, if the people want statehood, they should have it. tarheelsunc Nov 2012 #7

Oh, I agree. But it would make sufrommich Nov 2012 #10

Somebody teach me... LP2K12 Nov 2012 #13

BumRushDaShow

(129,086 posts)

1. I didn't realize that this was back on the ballot again

Reply to sufrommich (Original post)

Sun Nov 4, 2012, 02:35 PM

Nov 2012

Usually the media makes a big fuss about it but nary a peep. This is the first time I have heard it mentioned.

Thanks for the heads-up!

sufrommich

(22,871 posts)

4. I didn't either, found a link on twitter. One more blue

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Reply #1)

Sun Nov 4, 2012, 02:37 PM

Nov 2012

state would be nice.

cthulu2016

(10,960 posts)

2. PR statehood would guarantee Democratic Presidents and Senate, so

Reply to sufrommich (Original post)

Sun Nov 4, 2012, 02:37 PM

Nov 2012

if it ever happened the Republicans would reactivate the plan to split Texas into five states.

LTR

(13,227 posts)

11. Which is why DC will never become a state

Reply to cthulu2016 (Reply #2)

Sun Nov 4, 2012, 02:48 PM

Nov 2012

They wouldn't even go for a proposal to give DC real representation in the house in exchange for an additional seat in Utah.

RB TexLa

(17,003 posts)

3. I hope statehood wins

Reply to sufrommich (Original post)

Sun Nov 4, 2012, 02:37 PM

Nov 2012

sufrommich

(22,871 posts)

5. I do too. I wonder what the political ramifications

Reply to RB TexLa (Reply #3)

Sun Nov 4, 2012, 02:38 PM

Nov 2012

would be for republicans in congress if they tried to block statehood for Puerto Rico?

Mr.Turnip

(645 posts)

8. well Fortuno and the NPP, which favors statehood and has its largest wing aligned with the Reps

Reply to sufrommich (Reply #5)

Sun Nov 4, 2012, 02:41 PM

Nov 2012

Would be really really pissed off for starters.

Mr.Turnip

(645 posts)

6. If PR becomes a state, an immediate round of redistricting would be required right?

Reply to sufrommich (Original post)

Sun Nov 4, 2012, 02:39 PM

Nov 2012

As the number of house members is capped. Or would new temporary seats be created until 2020?

sufrommich

(22,871 posts)

9. I really don't know how that works,was wondering the same. nt

Reply to Mr.Turnip (Reply #6)

Sun Nov 4, 2012, 02:41 PM

Nov 2012

politicat

(9,808 posts)

12. It's time to repeal the 435 cap anyway.

Reply to Mr.Turnip (Reply #6)

Sun Nov 4, 2012, 03:09 PM

Nov 2012

Right now, each MotHoR represents about 700K people, which is an order of magnitude above that of any other representative body in the world. We can't get down to UK levels ( not without significant other procedural changes because that means a body of about 3000, which is way too unwieldy) but we can add seats to get us up to about EU numbers (around 400k, IIRC). It's not in the constitution; the law is a 1929 procedural.

tarheelsunc

(2,117 posts)

7. I don't care if they vote D or R, if the people want statehood, they should have it.

Reply to sufrommich (Original post)

Sun Nov 4, 2012, 02:41 PM

Nov 2012

That's what "democracy" is supposed to stand for, anyway.

sufrommich

(22,871 posts)

10. Oh, I agree. But it would make

Reply to tarheelsunc (Reply #7)

Sun Nov 4, 2012, 02:43 PM

Nov 2012

interesting politics regardless.

LP2K12

(885 posts)

13. Somebody teach me...

Reply to sufrommich (Original post)

Tue Nov 6, 2012, 10:51 PM

Nov 2012

I'm trying to weigh statehood against the way(s) we already support them. Puerto Ricans have their own branch of the U.S. Army National Guard. The Commonwealth government has its own tax laws, Puerto Ricans are also required to pay most U.S. federal taxes. Residents of Puerto Rico pay into Social Security, and are thus eligible for Social Security benefits. What would be the benefits of granting them statehood? It seems beneficial for PR, but I don't see any substantial benefit for our country overall, just seems historical.

Reply to this discussion