Should DC, PR and other Territories Get Statehood

I mean, you say that, but we haven't annexed Germany yet.

There's a lot of people on the islands that want the non-natives out. Originally Posted by GastonGlock

yep, they want their country back. strategic my ass, we stole it from them in 1894.


the failure of the Cleveland and McKinley administrations to do the right thing and return the territory back to the native Hawaiians boggles my mind.

It has always been understood that dc should never be a state or be in a state. Conflict of interest! Originally Posted by winn dixie

not conflict of interest. its unconstitutional.

ibid Originally Posted by reddog1951

whAt are you bidding?

Puerto Rico, no. 80% of the population speak spanish. they need to go independent.


... Originally Posted by dilbert firestorm

Most everyone in PR speaks Spanish and English. They are required to take both thoughout 1-12 grade.

Most everyone in PR speaks Spanish and English. They are required to take both thoughout 1-12 grade. Originally Posted by gnadfly

well, after the leave 12th, they forget the english part and don't speak it too much if at all. thats the 80%.

This sounds like a Democratic Party ballot stuffing strategy. Yes if you give Puerto Ricans ONLY the choice of (a) statehood or (b) independence, a majority might pick "a." However historically the majority there has preferred the status quo, independence, or a free association over statehood. The Virgin Islands has a population of 106,000. Guam has a population of 167,000. Washington D.C. is a city, not a state, and historically has been treated as a distinct capitol district, like Mexico City, Canberra, and probably a lot of other places.

Respectfully, putting places with different cultures and different official languages, like the Virgin Islands, Guam and Puerto Rico, into a single state doesn't make sense. Rhetorical question: How far away is Guam from the Caribbean?

This is just part of the grand overarching strategy of the Democratic Party to maintain an advantage in the long term. Making all illegal immigrants citizens, and giving precedence in immigration to families of legal immigrants over almost everyone else, including engineers, scientists, doctors, etc., is another part.

They are American citizens.

well, after the leave 12th, they forget the english part and don't speak it too much if at all. thats the 80%. Originally Posted by dilbert firestorm

Dude, how many times have you been to PR?

They are American citizens. Originally Posted by 1blackman1

Yes, we've treated the residents of our colonies better than the British.

1b1 - is 'Right' ( sorry about the use of that word )


Citizenship status in territories of the United States

This page provides a brief summary of citizenship status in the territories of the United States. The United States holds 14 undisputed territories, five of which are inhabited: Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Of these, only individuals born in American Samoa are not considered United States citizens.[1]
Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States, meaning that only select parts of the U.S. Constitution apply to its residents. Puerto Rico is also a commonwealth of the United States, meaning the territory has a political union with the United States. Individuals born in Puerto Rico are considered citizens of the United States. Residents of Puerto Rico cannot vote in federal elections and do not elect any representatives to Congress. The United States federal government also does not collect income tax from those residing on the island. Puerto Rico residents may, however, serve in the military and are subject to most federal laws.[2][3]
Guam

Guam is an unincorporated territory of the United States, meaning that only select parts of the U.S. Constitution apply to its residents. Individuals born in Guam are considered citizens of the United States. Residents of Guam cannot vote in federal elections, but they do elect a delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives, who serves for a term of two years and has limited voting abilities. Residents of Guam also caucus for presidential primary candidates and delegates from Guam are sent to the Republican and Democratic national conventions.[3][4][5]
U.S. Virgin Islands

The U.S. Virgin Islands are an unincorporated territory of the United States, meaning that only select parts of the U.S. Constitution apply to its residents. Individuals born in the U.S. Virgin Islands are considered citizens of the United States. Residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands cannot vote in federal elections, but they do elect a nonvoting delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives.[3][6]
American Samoa

American Samoa is an unincorporated, unorganized territory of the United States, meaning that only select parts of the U.S. Constitution apply to its residents and the U.S. Congress has not established a system of government for the territory. Individuals born in American Samoa are United States nationals, rather than citizens. U.S. nationals have the right to reside within the United States and its territories indefinitely. U.S. nationals may also apply for citizenship if they choose. Residents of American Samoa cannot vote in federal elections, but they do elect a nonvoting delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives.[3][7][8]
Northern Mariana Islands

The Northern Mariana Islands are a commonwealth of the United States, meaning the territory has a political union with the United States. The president of the United States is head of state of the Northern Mariana Islands and the territory receives funds from the United States government. Individuals born in the Northern Mariana Islands are considered citizens of the United States. Residents of the Northern Mariana Islands cannot vote in federal elections, but they do elect a delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives, who serves for a term of two years and has limited voting abilities.[3][9][10]

american somoa. how did they get to be U.S. nationals instead of U.S. citizens and have to apply for citizenship? that's boffo.

Dude, how many times have you been to PR? Originally Posted by gnadfly

Go to the Bronx in NY if you want the PR experience 63% consider themselves either full or partial of Puerto Rican descent A whole lotta Julio down by the school yard

Dude, how many times have you been to PR? Originally Posted by gnadfly

never been there, but I've read alot about them.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Rico#Literacy

Languages

Main articles: Puerto Rican Spanish and English language in Puerto Rico
The official languages[184] of the executive branch of government of Puerto Rico[185] are Spanish and English, with Spanish being the primary language. Spanish is, and has been, the only official language of the entire Commonwealth judiciary system, despite a 1902 English-only language law.[186] However, all official business of the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico is conducted in English. English is the primary language of less than 10% of the population. Spanish is the dominant language of business, education and daily life on the island, spoken by nearly 95% of the population.[187]

I agree there may be constitutional issues with DC. Thanks OEB,Tiny and maybe another or two regarding the territories. Your posts just confirmed my conjecture that the major fear is ethnic makeup.

I agree there may be constitutional issues with DC. Thanks OEB,Tiny and maybe another or two regarding the territories. Your posts just confirmed my conjecture that the major fear is ethnic makeup. Originally Posted by reddog1951

It has absolutely nothing to do with ethnic make-up. If you're cynical, then perhaps you could describe it as being about power. There's a tendency by the Democratic Party to blame all their differences with Republicans on racism. I'm not sure whether this is propaganda that they believe will get them more votes. Or maybe it gives them a warm, fuzzy, sanctimonious feeling that they're better than "immoral, degenerate" Republicans.