“Taxation without Representation”, was the major issue that drove these United States to declare independance from Great Britain in 1776. Today, it is a phrase that is featured on license plates in the District of Columbia.
In Puerto Rico, Gov. Pedro Rosella is running for Governor of Puerto Rico, and is winning, on the issue of statehood. This issue has been a hotbed topic fo several years now and was narrowly defeated in referendum in 1996. The island’s population are American citizens but cannot vote for President. In addition, like other portions of the United States such as the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico maintains a Congressional delegation that doies not have a vote. That means that when tax laws are brought to the floor for a vote, Puerto Rico has no vote but must abide by the decision. When MEdicare reform bills are brought to a vote, Puerto Rico has no vote but must abide the consequences.
Of course, granintg Puerto Rico statehood puts an awkward spin on an even number of stars on the flag. But then, D.C. should have statehood too.
Aaron
{ 16 comments }
Vinnie Garcia 11.02.04 at 1:32 pm
Allow statehood for PR, DC, VI, and Guam and you get 54 stars, 9×6. There ya go.
Fun fact: DC gets $6 for every dollar it gives out in taxes. For a place that has taxation without representation they sure as hell get the most benefit ;).
Vinnie Garcia 11.02.04 at 2:32 pm
Allow statehood for PR, DC, VI, and Guam and you get 54 stars, 9×6. There ya go.
Fun fact: DC gets $6 for every dollar it gives out in taxes. For a place that has taxation without representation they sure as hell get the most benefit ;).
Ace of Spades HQ 11.04.04 at 10:42 am
A Canadian… <i>Praises</i> the US For Its Tsunami-Relief Response
Not really a shock; I think this writer is generally pro-American. But still. Further excerpts from Michelle Malkin….
Vinnie Garcia 11.04.04 at 4:37 pm
My name is all the gravatar I need :D
Ace of Spades HQ 01.04.05 at 3:13 pm
A Canadian… <i>Praises</i> the US For Its Tsunami-Relief Response
Not really a shock; I think this writer is generally pro-American. But still. Further excerpts from Michelle Malkin….
Vinnie Garcia 01.05.05 at 1:51 pm
My name is all the gravatar I need :D
Carol 01.07.05 at 11:32 am
Oooooo!!! Baby pics! What a cutie!
And even right after childbirth, your wife is still way cuter than you. Mwwaaaah ha ha ha ha!!!!
Thanks for sharing the pics — they’re terrific.
Carol 01.07.05 at 1:05 pm
Oops. I meant to say that it went up to 5. I need a nap. :p
Nathan Morell 06.08.05 at 10:17 pm
Granting statehood to Puerto Rico isnt a good idea to other americans because they do not know the facts. I live in the territory and am in favor of statehood. The island have been a U.S. possesion for more than 100 years since it was ocupied by the U.S. army after the spanish seced the island at the end of the Spanish-American War before the turn of the century. Congress granted u.s. citizenship in the 1917. Today more than 4 millions americans live in a modern version of a colony wanting to gain first class citizenship by selecting to be a state. Imagine if Floridad never became a state just because people there spoke spanish as their fist laguage and if economics is the case P.R. contributes more than it share to the Union plus in operations in Iraq and other part of the world the P.R. National Guard and reserve soldiers participated as any other State in the effort. It is a shame that the nation leading the free world into a more democratic system cannot clean its own back yard.
Nathan Morell 06.08.05 at 11:17 pm
Granting statehood to Puerto Rico isnt a good idea to other americans because they do not know the facts. I live in the territory and am in favor of statehood. The island have been a U.S. possesion for more than 100 years since it was ocupied by the U.S. army after the spanish seced the island at the end of the Spanish-American War before the turn of the century. Congress granted u.s. citizenship in the 1917. Today more than 4 millions americans live in a modern version of a colony wanting to gain first class citizenship by selecting to be a state. Imagine if Floridad never became a state just because people there spoke spanish as their fist laguage and if economics is the case P.R. contributes more than it share to the Union plus in operations in Iraq and other part of the world the P.R. National Guard and reserve soldiers participated as any other State in the effort. It is a shame that the nation leading the free world into a more democratic system cannot clean its own back yard.
Alpha Tango 06.15.05 at 6:49 pm
[...] Back in January, I posted an entry at Technosailor that describes in a nutshell where my journey is, and where it is leading. I reprint it here. [...]
Carol 08.01.05 at 7:08 pm
Oops. I meant to say that it went up to 5. I need a nap. :p
Alpha Tango 10.12.05 at 3:01 pm
[...] Back in January, I posted an entry at Technosailor that describes in a nutshell where my journey is, and where it is leading. I reprint it here. [...]
Pablito 10.25.05 at 5:35 pm
“Mi pueblo se muere de ambre…”My country dies of starvation…Who wrote that, better yet who said that?! Statehood is letting the hooded ones inflict more damage to our nation! Yes, the US takes more in Social Security and returns a fraction- a small fraction. Tell that to my grandmother whom lives with $300 a month. Do you want the same people giving jobs out to illegal latinos and ignoring Puerto Ricans their right to employment, to come into Puerto Rico and do the same?! Yes, would like me to continue in this damaging past that has lead our people to come to the US and have to return because Americans hate Puerto Rico and Puerto Ricans?! Please only the young are so naive not to seek the advise of their fore-fathers! Think, produce and find your own national way of getting this evil monkey off our backs! And bendicion, que viva Puerto Rico Libre!!!!!!
Pablito 10.25.05 at 6:35 pm
“Mi pueblo se muere de ambre…”My country dies of starvation…Who wrote that, better yet who said that?! Statehood is letting the hooded ones inflict more damage to our nation! Yes, the US takes more in Social Security and returns a fraction- a small fraction. Tell that to my grandmother whom lives with $300 a month. Do you want the same people giving jobs out to illegal latinos and ignoring Puerto Ricans their right to employment, to come into Puerto Rico and do the same?! Yes, would like me to continue in this damaging past that has lead our people to come to the US and have to return because Americans hate Puerto Rico and Puerto Ricans?! Please only the young are so naive not to seek the advise of their fore-fathers! Think, produce and find your own national way of getting this evil monkey off our backs! And bendicion, que viva Puerto Rico Libre!!!!!!
Carol 10.25.05 at 8:34 pm
Oooooo!!! Baby pics! What a cutie!
And even right after childbirth, your wife is still way cuter than you. Mwwaaaah ha ha ha ha!!!!
Thanks for sharing the pics — they’re terrific.
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