Puerto Rico, our 58th State?

I was born and raised in Puerto Rico. I can remember a time when the younger generation wanted independence from the United States. I still have quite a few family members living there and from what I’ve heard the Puerto Rican population is still reluctant to vote Statehood.

Some people believe Puerto Ricans are leeches that don’t pay State or Federal Taxes. They pay taxes to the Government of Puerto Rico which in essence is the U.S. Government.

It’s my understanding the US Government provides financial aid to Puerto Rico approximately about $3.5 billion annually. The right wingers complain about this. However, if you're going to continue to keep a group of people colonize for over 100 years then you know what, yeah pay up. In addition, if you're going to use our men and women to fight your wars dating back to WWI then yes they need to be reimbursed some how.

Ir Puerto Rico, no queremos un Estado, queremos independencia.

I did read - not sure how many years ago - a lot of the reasons Puerto Ricans are not just all for statehood, and being me, forget, but remember that there were reasons I understood..

I don't think this was meant as a joke thread, was it?

First, you get a pollo.

Nice from someone who isn't into cooking or chicken raising.

I'm all in favor of statehood for Puerto Rico but I think it should be the 60th state, not the 58th.

SO why are you against statehood

what do you think of Independence?

Pollo this

How about Arroz con Rolo?

Why is this all so funny?

Sorry, cursor madness,

The next thing you know, they'll want a baked potato.

-- Emily Litella

Trying to answer fast - I didn't mean that blank page, has to do with my computer that I can't control.

It has to do with this: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7ms4m_saturday-night-live-weekend-update_fun

Gilda Radner was so funny.

I couldn't see that. Tell me about it being funny.

Gilda Radner used to do this commentary on the Saturday Night Live news segment. She played a character named Emily Litella who was hard of hearing and always messed things up just a little bit.

One other time I remember she was ranting about "flea elections in China" instead of "free elections in China".

In this one she was ranting about President Ford wanting to make "Puerto Rico a steak" instead of a "state". She said "the next thing you know they'll want a baked potato. Then they'll want a salad bar." She goes on and on until the anchor woman corrects her.

I can't find any of the skits on youtube, unfortunately.

Got it, I say...

probably before my computer explodes, but thanks, smiles.

nevver mind

Puerto Rico voted 54%:46% to change the status quo Source, and voted for statehood over the non-territorial options by a margin of 61% (statehood) to 33% (sovereign commonwealth) to 6% (independence). (The source for both is Puerto Rico's election commission.) That's a pretty clear majority.

As I recall the number of people who voted in the second part of the referendum was some 450,000 fewer than in the first part. That struck me as strange. I can't remember the numbers, though.