The 51st State of America : Puerto Rico? H.R. 2499 Passes House

[Ellis]

Mods, I know there's links in here but this is not much of "news story" as much as it's a topic for discussion. Forgive my thread title and format accordingly.

So my mother called me and told me about this Act going before the House this week and I didn't know anything about it. Unfortunately, I can't find any decent or unbiased news stories or blogs about it either. But I have done a bit of searching and here are a number of links I looked at regarding the topic.

I know how much you guys just love wikipedia.

So here's a link regarding the Puerto Rico Democracy Act (H.R. 2499).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Rico_Democracy_Act

Here's a link from govtrack.us who basically track all the going's-on in Congress.

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-2499

Here's a conservative look at the bill via blog:

http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2010/04/us-house-to-vote-on-puerto-rico-statehood-this-week.html

Here's a liberal look at the bill via blog:

(I can't find one. maybe someone can look it up?)

And last but not least, a paper written Ramón Grosfoguel, professor in Department of Ethnic Studies at the University of California, Berkeley

http://www.drclas.harvard.edu/revista/articles/view/1062

UPDATE:

4-29-2010 :

H.R. 2499 passes, moving Puerto Rico one step closer to statehood

http://www.examiner.com/x-34929-Manhattan-Conservative-Examiner~y2010m4d30-HR-2499-passes-moving-Puerto-Rico-one-step-closer-to-statehood

[IONTOP]

Time to buy stock in Flag Manufacturers...

[Springfield]

I like a round number like 50... hell even 52 would be better than 51. If we add Puerto Rico to the union, we'll have to kick one of the other states out.

[IONTOP]

I like a round number like 50... hell even 52 would be better than 51. If we add Puerto Rico to the union, we'll have to kick one of the other states out.

Texas to Mexico in a blockbuster trade?

[Springfield]

Texas to Mexico in a blockbuster trade?

I was going to add that to my post but I didn't want to ruffle any feathers. Sounds fair to me.:pfft:

[twa]

I like a round number like 50... hell even 52 would be better than 51. If we add Puerto Rico to the union, we'll have to kick one of the other states out.

Why not just fold a smaller state into a neighbor?...kinda nuts my county has a higher population than a state.

I have no objection to PR joining.

[Slacky McSlackAss]

Texas to Mexico in a blockbuster trade?

Either this or we merge the Dakotas. No ****ing point in having a North and South one.

[Duckus]

Texas to Mexico in a blockbuster trade?

Come on man! Our economy is awesome, we have hot hot girls, and great tacos. Lets give away NM. They don't do ****.

[Ellis]

Either this or we merge the Dakotas. No ****ing point in having a North and South one.

well, merge the Carolina's too. And tell WV they're part of VA again.

[Slacky McSlackAss]

well, merge the Carolina's too. And tell WV they're part of VA again.

We don't want WV back. We got rid of them for a reason. Kentucky can have em.

[Duckus]

Also - why the **** are Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut and Massachusetts all individual states. **** that. Combine 'em.

[Teller]

Texas to Mexico in a blockbuster trade?

How bout California to China in exchange for 2/3 of our debt they hold?

We don't want WV back. We got rid of them for a reason. Kentucky can have em.

No. Go back and read that history book again. We LEFT you, because you were losers. (As for whether or not much has changed over the years, you be the judge.) :pfft:

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

I

hell even 52 would be better than 51. If we add Puerto Rico...

We then make Northern Va into its own state. Boom, 52. Be nice to keep our tax dollars in the area for once.

[nonniey]

I like a round number like 50... hell even 52 would be better than 51. If we add Puerto Rico to the union, we'll have to kick one of the other states out.

Nah, just combine the Pacific Island territories as a state and add them.

BTW, I fully endorse and support Puerto Rico becoming state. They better understand that once a state always a state.

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

Nah, just combine the Pacific Island territories as a state and add them.

American Samoa owns football, so they might as well be full-fledged Americans.

[Ellis]

http://pierluisi.house.gov/english/news/2010/Puerto%20Rico%20Staus%20Bill%20Coming%20to%20a%20Vote.html

“When I introduced this bill, I pledged to undertake every effort to ensure that the people of Puerto Rico finally have the opportunity to express themselves about the Island’s political status in a congressionally-authorized vote. Like all the battles I have fought in Congress—from the allocation of ARRA funds for Puerto Rico, to the inclusion of the Island in the health care reform legislation—I have not rested for a single moment. Today I am pleased to say that H.R. 2499 will have its day on the House floor, and I am confident that the legislation will be approved overwhelmingly,” said the Resident Commissioner.

That line kinda caught me off guard so I looked into it a bit more on his site..

http://pierluisi.house.gov/english/news/2010/Health%20Care%20Reform%20Legislation%20Approved.html

For Puerto Rico, the legislation will triple the amount the Island receives from the federal government for its Medicaid program and will give Puerto Rico access to the health insurance exchange.

Specifically, the reconciliation bill approved today will increase the annual federal spending cap for Puerto Rico’s Medicaid program by about 182%, which means that Puerto Rico should receive a total of $8.624 billion in federal Medicaid funding over the next nine years. In addition, the reconciliation bill allows Puerto Rico to establish a health insurance exchange and provides $925 million to subsidize the cost of insurance for Island residents of modest means who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. As soon as the Senate approves the reconciliation bill, which should occur within a few days, certain aspects of the bill will take effect almost immediately.

[Burgold]

I agree. Make Puerto Rico a state and finally give DC it's statehood. I think the ultimate kicker would be trading Arizona to Mexico. Clearly, that would make them ecstatic.

[AsburySkinsFan]

We don't want WV back. We got rid of them for a reason. Kentucky can have em.

Oh heck no! Look WV makes Kentucky look like a bunch of East Coast aristocratic elites. Plus those darned Hatfield's killed Asa Harmon!! Shot him dead in a cave they did.

[GibbsFactor]

My football number was 51. I say do it!

eta: plus it can represent democracy. 51%.

[Predicto]

We need another state?

NorCal would be happy to take its natural beauty and culture (and its water) and let SoCal be a sprawling, polluted mess of a state all on its own. :pfft:

[AsburySkinsFan]

We need another state?

NorCal would be happy to take its natural beauty and culture (and its water) and let SoCal be a sprawling, polluted mess of a state all on its own. :pfft:

Broke hippies and Rednecks in the North

and

Billionaires and gang-bangers to the South

How is it that you all haven't fought a war with each other yet anyhow?

[GibbsFactor]

I mean, are we going to stay on 50 forever? Why not 100? The United States of Earth. Big thoughts baby!

[nonniey]

I mean, are we going to stay on 50 forever? Why not 100? The United States of Earth. Big thoughts baby!

Now your talking!

[Predicto]

Broke hippies and Rednecks in the North

and

Billionaires and gang-bangers to the South

How is it that you all haven't fought a war with each other yet anyhow?

Because we have a lot of computers and marijuana (that they want) and they have a lot of porn starlets (that we want). :pfft:

[AsburySkinsFan]

Because we have a lot of computers and marijuana (that they want) and they have a lot of porn starlets (that we want). :pfft:

Ahhh a truce built on necessity, that does explain it.