• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

The 51st State: Puerto Rico

Are you OK with Puerto Rico becoming the 51st state of the United States?


  • Total voters
    48
I figured that's what it was but will have to study it further, this issue actually comes up every couple of years or so between the US and Puerto Rico, it's assumed they'll eventually become a state but if it's the normal course I don't see an issue. I personally don't see why they'd want to be a state, they trade off a representative vote for no federal taxes, they'd have to be nuts to become a state right now.

I know if I had the option I'd vote no.
 
Me too. I love in rural Georgia, where voting for a democrat is meaningless.

For me it's totally based on the federal tax exemption.

While I don't pay taxes now, I will in the near future and would love to keep more of my check.
I don't vote so it wouldn't make a difference to me anyway if we weren't represented.
 
For me it's totally based on the federal tax exemption.

While I don't pay taxes now, I will in the near future and would love to keep more of my check.
I don't vote so it wouldn't make a difference to me anyway if we weren't represented.

I think voting is a good ethic, even if you write your candidate in. But my views are not popular down here, so for me it is about as good as pissing on a tornado.

So I may as well give it up, if I could have something that actually benefits me, like a tax exemption.

Also, I would probably be more positive about voting if we didn't have the electoral college to blunt my voice.
 
Also, I would probably be more positive about voting if we didn't have the electoral college to blunt my voice.

by the same principle, do you also support the abolition of the senate?

senators from less populous states do, after all, have an equal vote to senators in more populous states.

Yep. But we really could combine a lot of the mountain and midwest states since most of them don't have that many people.

I'd rather combine all those puny states in new england into one state. why should such a tiny area of the country represented by so many senators?
 
Last edited:
I think voting is a good ethic, even if you write your candidate in. But my views are not popular down here, so for me it is about as good as pissing on a tornado.

The last time I voted we had Hayes(Libertarian), Ray McBerry (cessationist Republican) and Purdue.

I was torn between McBerry and Hayes but ended up voting for McBerry.
After that I figured out that voting was pointless because most people will vote for Purdue(and other Party supported candidates) no matter what and that extends towards Federal voting as well.

I have better things to do with my time, to tell you the truth.
It causes me to much anxiety.

So I may as well give it up, if I could have something that actually benefits me, like a tax exemption.

It would be a total win, in my opinion.

Also, I would probably be more positive about voting if we didn't have the electoral college to blunt my voice.

At this point I see a pie throwing contest as more useful in deciding winners.
 
Are you OK with Puerto Rico becoming the 51st state of the United States?

Why or why not?

I voted other, yes only if Puerto Rico adopts english as its official language.
 
Reading more about it, the bill requires PR to hold a referendum on sovereignty and statehood like they have in the past.

They have a pretty sweet deal, so I don't know why they would vote to become a state.
They would lose some very nice bennies because of it.

They don't pay federal income taxes.
They do pay SS and Medicare taxes.

The median income in PR is so low that most of them wouldn't pay federal taxes anyway. They'd just be getting representation.
 
As someone who has family there, most like the current status as being a commonwealth.


I voted other, yes only if Puerto Rico adopts english as its official language.

Its actually a law down there that in order to work you must speak both English and Spanish.
 
As much as I like round number and an even fifty just feels right...

How can we say know to this?

puerto-rico-2-l.jpg
 
OK, then let's combine the Carolinas and the Dakotas. :2razz:

And California should be split in two. It is disgraceful that places like Idaho and Wyoming...etc. have 1/10 the population that we have, yet have the same influence in the Senate.
 
And California should be split in two. It is disgraceful that places like Idaho and Wyoming...etc. have 1/10 the population that we have, yet have the same influence in the Senate.

senate representation has nothing to do with population. There's a reason for that.
 
And California should be split in two. It is disgraceful that places like Idaho and Wyoming...etc. have 1/10 the population that we have, yet have the same influence in the Senate.

So you support "Downsize California Now"? They want a ballot initiative for a two-state solution. According to their plans, 13 counties on the coast, ranging from Los Angeles to Marin, just north of San Francisco, would be split off and be named Coastal California, West California or whatever they please.
 
As much as I like round number and an even fifty just feels right...

puerto-rico-2-l.jpg

I'm sure they would feel just right, and they are certainly impressive, but I doubt those puppies are more than 44s.
 
Last edited:
I have no other reason for voting yes, except that I don't see why not.

Oh and it would be easy to have 51 stars. Just change the pattern.
us-51sta.gif

I like how this flag looks. It even opens up more room for additional states to be added. Our flag has changed many times throughout history as states were added. The only problem with this flag is everyone would claim they are the center star. :doh

Not wanting to change the flag is a lame excuse for denying Puerto Rico statehood. Now, the other reasons I've read here are more legitimate.

But if you're THAT concerned about the flag being changed... who knows, maybe a conservative state will secede from the U.S.

Problem solved ;)
 
I'm sure they would feel just right, and they are certainly impressive, but I doubt those puppies are more than 44s.

This girl should be Puerto Rican.

u2n8r.jpg
 
Back
Top Bottom