The United States’ unemployment rate remains high at 9.7 percent. States are in the unfair position of having to take immigration law into their own hands. Americans are angry about the overspending in D.C., increased taxes, an aggressive health care bill, and proposals for “cap and trade.” But despite all of these looming issues, what legislation does Congress plan to tackle today, April 29? H.R. 2499 (Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2009), a piece of legislation that may allow Puerto Rico to become a state. 

The bill requires Puerto Rico to hold an election on a referendum that reads, “Do you want to maintain the status quo?” Now, if it seems strange that a bill related to potentially adding a 51st state to our union does not once mention the word “statehood,” it should. 

The referendum is purposely written this way to bring about a desired result. Legislators know what the answer would be if Puerto Rican voters are asked to vote on statehood, since in the past 40 years, Puerto Ricans have eagerly voted against becoming a state three times. The most recent vote took place in 1998, when voters were provided with the following four choices: a.) statehood; b.) sovereignty; c.) modified commonwealth; d.) none of the above.  Of the choices, the response was overwhelmingly choice “D.” 

As reported by The John Birch Society, “[Puerto Rico] enjoys their commonwealth status, which allows them to enjoy the protection and freedoms and even financial benefits of the United States without paying federal income taxes.” 

But if voters are asked whether they want to maintain the “status quo,” a loaded and misleading question, that might just change their answer. Glenn Beck says, “Do YOU want to maintain the status quo of OUR country right now? Nope. If Bertha Lewis, who, you know, runs ACORN, if she were watching, I can guarantee you if I said: 'Hey, Bertha, do you want to maintain our current status? Maintain the status quo?' I guarantee Bertha Lewis would say 'hell, no!' See the trick?” 

Yes we do, but no thanks to the mainstream media, who has barely covered this bill in between rants about “Tea Party violence.”  As it turns out, if Puerto Ricans vote “no” on the referendum, the next step involves a second vote between whether Puerto Ricans wish to acquire statehood or full independence. Not a tough choice there!

Even if the referendum happens to turn out a majority of “yeses," indicating satisfaction with the “status quo,” The John Birch Society notes: “Every eight years henceforth from the passage of HR 2499, Puerto Rico is forced to conduct another plebiscite on the matter at their own expense.”  

Why, among all things, is Puerto Rico’s statehood being addressed on this day? According to Right Pundits, “The current drive is being pushed by the Democrats to placate the Latino voters." In light of the recent protests from the Hispanic communities regarding Arizona’s immigration law, this may be one intention. 

Beck raises further motives: “It’s all about bringing more people on board, more people who can vote for the Democratic Party.  It’s a four-step process to ensure they will essentially be one party for the next century. Democrats want 12 million illegal aliens to vote… they want to help convicted felons… they tried to grant the statehood of the District of Columbia…”

And now, they want to add Puerto Rico to the union for the Hispanic votes.  

Sadly, support for this proposal is not limited to the Democrats. Republicans claim that this is a vote for freedom, for democracy. Really? Are you sure its not about big government? Global government? 

The politicians assert that this is a “non-binding” vote. However, if Puerto Rico votes “No” on the referendum, they are then required to elect six representatives and two senators. Thanks to the “Tennessee plan,” this might negate the need for a second vote. Tennessee and Alaska were able to enter the union without voting for statehood because their elected officials demanded to be seated in Washington, D.C., and were. So when the congressmen insist that this vote is “non-binding,” either they don’t know their history, or don’t care to be honest with the public.   

The adoption of Puerto Rico as a 51st state would have major repercussions. First, because of the 435-seat cap in the House of Representatives, existing states may be required to give up a representative to Puerto Rico. Second, the addition of an almost completely Spanish speaking state would inherently make America a bilingual country. Finally, the adoption of Puerto Rico necessitates the absorption of Puerto Rico’s financial struggles, for which this country is ill-prepared.  

If you feel strongly in opposition to this bill, contact your representative and senators to make your voice heard. Thomas Jefferson said it best when he said, “All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.” 

Photo: Puerto Rico Senate President Thomas Rivera Chatz and Gov. Luis Fortuno at a news conference on Capitol Hill where they spoke in support of H.R. 2499: AP Images
 

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rprew said:

How about ... Puerto Rico as a free and independent nation? If Puerto Rico MUST be associated with some nation, which not transfer it back to Spain? Puerto Rico has a lot more in common with Spain than with the United States... ethnicity, language, culture, traditions, etc. Besides, the United States unfairly stole it from Spain in the first place.

April 29, 2010

randydutton said:

Revert to Spain? Spain is going broke too. Why would any country want to tie in with a country that can't manage its finances? Since there are more Puerto Ricans in the US and outside the island than on the island, this Bill means islanders will NOT be in control of their own destiny. Expats would decide it. As such, charges of imperialism no doubt will be levied by the likes of Chavez, Castro, and Ortega.

April 29, 2010

Janet Kroll said:

The political atmosphere and its affect on Puerto Rico's future We in the U.S. shouldn't want the status quo either. The status quo means Puerto Rico continues to be a vacuum economically speaking through its relationship with the U.S. Stop the alarmism and really take in the big picture. Sudden knee jerking can be an untintentional hazard.

April 29, 2010

Don said:

It's about colonialism, you prick! Look, colonies are against the American character. As your article proves, PR will not act on their own to change the status quo. PR has no right to tell the US that we have to have a colony. But, in the same vein, we don't have the right to unilaterally tell PR to piss off. Hence, we're acting. If you oppose this measure, you are de facto supporting colonialism.

April 29, 2010

phil said:

don is incorrect don, PR has the ability to apply for statehood to the US, which they have repeatedly declined in the past. this is merely a political move by washington to handcuff the puerto rican people and force them to join as a state

April 29, 2010

Gene Berkman said:

Republicans have long pushed Statehood for P.R. For many years the Republican Party has promoted the idea of Puerto Rico becoming a state. Before changing its name to New Progressive Party, the P.R. affiliate of the Republican Party was called "Statehood Republican Party." Ronald Reagan and both Presidents Bush have promoted statehood. The voters of Puerto Rico have always backed their current status, which protects them from paying federal income tax. I cannot say I understand why so many U.S. politicians are promoting the idea of Puerto Rico as the 51st State.

April 29, 2010 | url

Ant said:

Have cake and eat it too! Not to sure why americans would not want to have PR as a state. Why should P Ricans reap the rewards financially and militarily of the U.S. STATES But not contribute to the pot! I say get in or stay out altogether ( personally I say in, beautiful there ) The status quo is kina like welfare. Benefits for doing nothing. The status quo option should be removed from the table. If you dont want to become a state, no hard feelings. I'll still visit

April 29, 2010

Tomb said:

PR has contributed to the Pot Hmmm you say PR hasn't contirbuted to thePot Ant? I say the 65,034 Puerto Ricans serving during WW2 gave into the Pot. I say the over a thousand Puerto Ricans who have died in the service of America served the pot. 'm pretty sure Frances M Vega gave into the pot too when she died in Iraq. "No ethnic group has greater pride in itself and its heritage then the Puerto Rican people. Nor have I encountered any that can be more dedicated and zealous in support of the democratic principles for which the United States stands. Many Puerto Ricans have fought to the death to uphold them"-General William W. Harris

April 29, 2010

Tomb said:

... Residents of Puerto Rico pay PLENTY of federal taxes: import/export taxes, federal commodity taxes, social security taxes, medicare etc.

April 29, 2010

Amanda said:

... Are you kidding me? First of all why would "America being a bilingual country" be so terrible? It already is anyway. People spoke Spanish in this country long before any English was spoken here. Because I am married to a Puerto Rican I can say that one of the many reasons why they have voted no so many times (and it's always been close)is the fear of losing their culture and heritage. Having spent much time in Spain I can also say that their culture is very different from Spanish culture. They have unique form of Spanish language, their own type of music, their own food etc... That was a very ignorant statement to make. The American influence is what has created this unique culture, language etc. It hurts to feel the hostility towards the people of this beautiful place. Most of these people are proud to be Puerto Rican and ALSO just as proud to be American. My husband has spent 12 years in the US Army and there is no greater patriot. Most of the younger generations want state hood. If you look at the numbers, it has been the older generations that seems to have held it back this long. Maybe it has to do with all the the horrible things that the US has done to the people of Puerto Rico over the years. (Forced sterilization of women, destruction of natural resources etc...) Puerto Rico has definitely "contributed to the pot". Why don't you take a look at the percentage of Puerto Ricans serving the in US military today? Finally, I think that many need to check themselves. I think a lot of the resistance to allow Puerto Rico to become a state is racially motivated. As an American is sad. The racial and ethnic diversity is what makes us great and beautiful. Why

April 30, 2010

Ivanhoe said:

Progressive Rico How about exhiling all the progressives in our government to this island for the rest of their un-natural lives.

April 30, 2010

hierogrammate said:

... @Ivanhoe: How about sending your progressives to California and then saw off that state so that it drifts to the Pacific? Or Chicago, and then wall off that state? My island has enough garbage, closet-socialist, career politicians already, thank you very much

May 14, 2010

hierogrammate said:

... I've lived in PR all my life, and it saddens me to listen to US citizens in the continent that are STILL so ignorant about us after more than a century. Sheesh. We have as much in common with Spain as Florida has in common with Cuba. It still looks as if their knowledge of PR comes from watching West Side Story and the Latin Grammys. PR has been a US territory/colony for around 112 years already, and we've been (second-class) US citizens since 1917. We've gladly shed blood in wars the US has been involved in, we DO pay our share of US taxes as Tomb says and, despite the propaganda of a vocal minority, most of us are pro-USA constitution, pro-second amendment, pro-Bill of Rights. If we're given the choice between statehood and independence (which would soon devolve into a socialist banana republic), we would certainly chose statehood. I think it’s about time we are granted the great privilege of joining the US as a state. Unfortunately, I have to admit that many here have been injected with irrational fears about becoming a state for decades (that we will lose our language or culture, etc.). Also, like in many US universities, some campuses of the (public) University of PR serve as vehicles of socialist indoctrination. However, I have family and friends in the US; they have assimilated easily and yet they haven't lost their culture, and none of them are socialists (nor is anyone of my local friends & family). Unlike La Raza and Mecha, we are not communists or seditionists (apart from a handful of malcontent puppets… but what nation doesn’t have them?). [cont below…]

May 14, 2010

hierogrammate said:

... It's great to see there are people like Amanda, Tomb and one or two others shown a depth of knowledge about us that I've never seen before on a forum. To them, my thanks. I am a Puerto Rican and (gasp!) a true conservative. Not a neocon, not a bleeding-heart progressive, but conservative. I understand the fears that the writer of the article and others express, about this being a Democratic ploy to have even more "hispanic" votes in their pockets. I also can see that the current administration of my island is exploiting the (artificially generated) "racial tension" about hispanics on the US as a way to force the statehood issue (it's a dirty tactic, but it seems that it at least got some attention from the powers-that-be in congress). But after 112 years of this twilight-zone, of this welfare experiment we've been living on, we have produced hundreds of highly-skilled engineers and physicians each year that then go to live to the States, as well as thousands upon thousands of our people serving in WW2, Vietnam, Korea, Irak, etc. in the US Armed Forces (like my late uncle and elder brother). I think that the we've probably earned a little star among the many others on the US flag. My only real concern here, is that the US is changing (HAVE been changing) in ways I do not like at all, moving slowly but steadily away from what the Founding Fathers intended, and towards socialism... and maybe to something worse. I’m not sure if I’d like PR to join if the US capitulates to global interests and transforms itself into a North American Union.

May 14, 2010