Should Puerto Rico become the 51st State in our Union?

How would gop handle their spanish racism though?

Just WAIT until they start paying that INCOME TAX ..
Much less all those OTHER Taxes coming down the pike
(OH, my!)

Sure..Y not ? ..Come & enjoy 'all the fun' we're having..U know, paying high taxes out the wazoo..Voting for lying & cheating weasels to Congress & Senate..etc etc..And traveling to San Juan wont B such a hassle to travel to anymore..So, yeah..come on, folks & join 'all
the fun' we're all having..

Too many welfare recipients.

they all ready get aid, and red states take most federal money.

What would be the benefit for either of us? If they are going to get the benefits of Americans without the responsibility, then I say they need to become a state and contribute. if they are going to get the responsibilty without the benefit, I say leave them alone. Aside from the aspect of benefit and responsibility, what reasons do we have for the union?

If that's what they want, then yes.

Don't the Americans have enough land? Puerto Rico can simply become dependent on America.

That should be decided by the Puerto Ricans.

There is an election from time to time that asks that question of the Puerto Rican people. At that election they can also vote to become an independent country. This law was passed decades ago. Unfortunately remaining as they are is an economic benefit.

Whites would become a minority even faster. I'm not advocating such to happen and wouldn't desire to see it happen either.
It will eventually occur, but I surely can't contribute to it happening.

And yet, your picture is a peace sign.....

Darn right. Do you honestly believe that peace would ensue, if we allowed Puerto Rico to become the 51st state? If anything, I'm supporting causes to lessen discontent and promote peace, hence my avatar.

They want to be a state. So, why shouldn't we let them? Seems simple to me.

If they want. Which it would appear they do.

They've had more than enough time to decide this, and have voted against it (up until the last vote and was too close for me, need at least 75% for passing).

wouldnt that be 58 obama said we already have 57. and if i was puerto rico i think i would hold off until 2016 when obama leaves office.

I would stand back and see what our country does during the next four years, Why take on our share of the debt, especially if we implode. Instead they can model themselves with the liberties we used to have, and wait to see if our nation recovers.

Sure. They've decided they want to be. That's enough for me. No territory has ever been denied statehood if they wanted it.

ABSOLUTELY NOT, we can't afford another WELFARE STATE or UBER-LIBERAL STATE in the UNION...

They are already getting our tax dollars (welfare).

if a state they will get EVEN MORE MONIES and A VOTE and OPEN TO EVEN MORE CORRUPTION ..PUERTO RICO is already so filled with corruption...I THINK WE HAVE ENOUGH CORRUPTION on OUR PLATES, all from within..

They pay US taxes. They are US citizens. They have almost al the rights and privilages of being a US citizen. But they have no voice in Congress or in who is President. That is nto right. If as a taxpayer and a citizen you were denied your rite to vote you would be the first to sue. Then should at least have the same rites as any other tax paying citizen.

Actually, they don't pay income taxes at the moment. That's what statehood would do. They'd pay more taxes and get more benefits at the same time.

They do not pay income taxes that is true but they do pay may other taxes including import export taxes, payroll taxes (social security- medicare) Commodity taxes and mabe more. Puerto Rico payed just under 4 billion in taxes in 2009. They do pay taxes and if they were a state would pay much more in taxes.

we can't afford any more loads on this economy and uber-happy debt spending drags on this COUNTRY...we need to get what we already have straight and healthy, economically...then MAYBE...

So what your saying is they have nothing to contribute to us. That they would be nothing more thatn a welfare state dependent on the rest of us for everything and unable to even provide the smallest thing for themselfs. You seem to have a very low opinion of Puerto Rico and the people who live there. Is it because they speak Spanish. Just because they are Hispanic does not mean they are lazy and wont work to provide for themself.

Are you aware of what becoming a state means? It means they would NO LONGER be a drag on the country. They would pay more taxes and actually have a say in what policies are made. Puerto Rico becoming a state would benefit us both.

You are simply too greedy.

me greedy, at a FAMILY OF FOUR and WE LIVE OFF $30 grand a year in MINNESOTA land of ten thousand taxes..SPARE ME THE GREED..we live dollar to dollar..TAXES IN MY CITY, MY COUNTY, MY STATE, MY COUNTRY are TOO HIGH..greed...yeah FIND ANOTHER FALSE ARGUMENT and INSULT PLEASE..I am paying for others through my FEDERAL TAXES... and HIDDEN TAXES and FEES..I pay monies to the POOR for FREE OBAMA PHONES...greedy, what a JOKE!!!!

Wow... way to take an off-hand comment far too personally.

Allow me to put this into perspective.

I live in a family of 5, living on $13,000 per year, in Ohio. You think you live dollar to dollar? Try deciding whether or not to eat or maintain electricity this month. Despite this economic situation, I maintain a clear head and look at all facts before making any comment toward one side of a debate or another.

Your argument is that you don't want someone else using your money for things they need. That is what it boils down to. My argument is that this is already occurring and that bringing them into the country as an official state will add more revenue from them to us, thus potentially lowering taxes and your financial burden.

Your greed is clouding your judgement, regardless how justified you believe it to be.

think about what you wrote, Obama does not neeed to give free phones to get the black vote. racist attacks are bad enough, but STUPID racist stuff ?.
btw you forgot to list the trillions of dollars that have gone to ISRAEL

And gain more benefits.

There are many ups and downs to being a state. This is why they only recently have voted in favor of statehood. While they were enjoying the benefits awarded them, they desire more and are now willing to give more in exchange.

I am aware of that. Never denied it. But if they are gonna get the benefits and pay the taxes then they should have a say. Taxation without representation was in the Declaration Of Independence. It was only mentioned one time but it is there. Thats what they have now. They are taxed,mabe not everyone pays income tax but many do, and they have no representation in Congress. They have a single deligate with no voting rites. No matter their reason for voting to become a state as long as they are a us teritory and pay any taxes in then they should be able to become a state. If they are denied that then cut them loose and let them be an independant country free to govern themselves.

It's not a matter of denial, they are the ones who have refused until now. Now that they are in agreement to become a state, in agreement to have representation, it is virtually guaranteed. The US agreeing is merely a formality at this point.

Actually .. they do NOT pay taxes at this time ..

I think you should google Puerto Rico and the American Commonwealth.

Umm... they are already getting our money. When they become a state they will start paying income tax and other taxes, like the rest of the country. Don't you WANT them to pay the US for all of the help we've been giving them?

I voted yes but I am confused by the question~ Everytime PR has had this on their ballot they have voted NO~ they are a Commonwealth of the USA~ they are protected by us~ they are subsidized by us~They have their own congressmen that are in our govt~ they have all of the benefits without the responsibilities of being a state~ Briefly amid all the brouhaha with the storm and the election I heard PR sta the preliminaries to become a state ~~ but don't know if it is true~~

Because they just voted on it. There was a public referendum where they said they wanted to become a state.

Actually, they are not a part of our government. They have a representative, but they have no say in our decisions. That's one of the benefits they will gain when they become a state.