Should Puerto Rico become the 51st U.S. state?

**Blazer06** · May 24th, 2003, 10:51 PM

All of the P.R.'s that I have personally met have thought they were better than americans because they are P.R. They don't respect our country, but then neither do I. But they dis-respect our country. I'm not saying all or even a majority of P.R's are like that, just the ones I've met are, and they have made me dislike them. Personally, we SHOULD'NT let them decide. It's our country. We should choose whos in it. ( as states ).

If they want to become a state, they should be like EVERY other state, getting only what other states get. No special programs cause they don't speak english. If they are going to be an american state, then speak the american language. No special funds, nothing.

What I'm saying goes to all other territorys, as well as minorites. Nobody should have special treatment. ( because of race / religion, etc. ) It sickens me that " oh im a minority i need money" stuff is put up with so much.

Sorry for the rant, but I hope I got my point across.

Blaze

**osprey4** · May 25th, 2003, 07:13 AM

Frankly, Blazer, the only point you got across is what a narrow minded person you are. I suppose everyone of your ancestors passed an English proficiency exam before they got on the boat?

**Blazer06** · May 25th, 2003, 09:54 AM

NO. What I meant, was that we shouldn't be running special programs and schools for them because they speak spanish. We shouldn't have to do special stuuf, because they don't talk english. If they want to become a state they should learn the language.

Now, I don't agree states like texas should have special schools for the spanish speaking, and signs in both languages, but they are already a state.

It pi**** me off that there is so much money going to specal programs like that. Or you get a tax break because you don't speak english. Or you get a special college fund because you are black. I don't look at race, religion, sex, sexual orintation or anything when I talkk to people. I see them as they come off to me. But, I can't stop the special programs that are already happening, but i can hope to help stop new ones.
Try haveing a National White College Fund. Won't happen.

Blaze

edit: no my ancestors were english except for my mothers side which were english and japenesse. And my grandmother DID learn english before she moved to america.

**Chuckiechan** · May 25th, 2003, 01:31 PM

Simple question...What does Puerto Rico have that we want to add to the national wealth?

Why would we make a non-English speaking country a state?

Hawaii has strategic importance, and so does Alaska and they both speak English.

I don't see much stopping them or anyone else who wants to come to the USA and work cheaper than any American. After all, when they fall off a roof and get hurt do to no safety equipment, you just hire his "brother"...

If anyone wants wage rates to go up then close the border, and don't even think about inviting a pauper into the weath capitol of the world!

**Theophylact** · May 25th, 2003, 02:07 PM

Warthog, they're not a "territory", they're a "Commonwealth", and our only one. They have a unique status, not like the US Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Marianas or American Samoa.

Puerto Ricans are full American citizens. You can't cut them loose any more than you could Mississippi. They're ours, for better or for worse, ever since we acquired the island from Spain to repay our costs in invading Cuba to liberate it from them.

We also acquired the Philippines, but the Filipinos, who, unlike the Cubans, weren't white, didn't get liberated, didn't appreciate the acquisition, and fought us for two long and bloody years trying to liberate themselves. We didn't "cut them loose" until after WWII.

**osprey4** · May 25th, 2003, 03:23 PM

Originally posted by Chuckiechan
Why would we make a non-English speaking country a state?

You mean like California?

Actually, there are three other commonwealths. Puerto Rico's status is unique but not their status as a commonwealth.

Theo, perhaps you'd be happy if we just reset all the borders around the world like they were in 1840? 1740? 1640? Or what would be a good year for you?

**Theophylact** · May 25th, 2003, 03:31 PM

I'm the one who's willing to accept reality; I'm not looking to turn the clock back. I just don't like racist trash talk about getting rid of Puerto Ricans because they're lazy, worthless, non-English-speaking disrespectful little-sister-jumping welfare bums.

I stand corrected about Commonwealths, I suppose. What are the others (not including Massachusetts and Virginia)?

**CERuppel** · May 25th, 2003, 03:34 PM

Hey osprey: What words would you like me to put in your mouth?

Argue all you want, But I am getting sick of seeing you put words into Theos mouth and then attack him for your statement.

enuff

**osprey4** · May 25th, 2003, 08:38 PM

Attacking? Apologies, I was trying to add a point of discussion. I certainly hope I have not made any statements that would be construed as racist.

**SPEEDO** · May 25th, 2003, 08:54 PM

What have you got against racing..............

**Theophylact** · May 25th, 2003, 08:55 PM

osprey4, I wasn't suggesting that your statements were racist, only that I think a lot of other ones in this thread were.

**pickel** · May 25th, 2003, 09:03 PM

"Warthog, they're not a "territory", they're a "Commonwealth", and our only one. They have a unique status, not like the US Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Marianas or American Samoa. "

WRONG

http://freespace.virgin.net/john.cle...es/cwealth.htm

**Chuckiechan** · May 25th, 2003, 11:29 PM

osprey4: California is already a state and it's multitude of languages has nothing to do with this tread.

What does Pureto Rico bring to the table of this wealthy nation?

Can anyone give me a non-accusatory answer without race baiting?

Sugar cane?

**ablang** · June 23rd, 2003, 09:15 PM

Writer Andrew Cockburn has said that politics is a national sport in Puerto Rico, and they have the mail to prove it. A month after publication, his article had generated letters from nearly 800 readers--most of them angered by what they see as a distorted portrayal of Puerto Rico. Opinions also flared in more than 3,800 postings on their online forum, a new record.

http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/...re2/index.html
(click "forums" at the top)

**Atomic Rooster** · June 23rd, 2003, 09:48 PM

No.

**Epidemic** · June 23rd, 2003, 10:45 PM

I say spit or get off the pot. State or no relations. end of story.

Your sister being beaten up by PR's does not relfect on the people living in Puerto Rico. The people who beat up your sister were Living in america and living in a culture separate from law abiding, Puerto Ricans living in their homeland. It is like hating german Highschool kids because of hitler and Nazism or like hating africans because of the sniper.

**estl4evr** · October 27th, 2003, 04:23 PM

I do not think that Puerto Rico should be a state. I look at Puerto Rico and see a beautiful place with inteligent ppl who live in it. Many Puerto Ricans speak spanish AND english...and for those who said something about them not being able to speak "american" are quite ignorant. I believe you meant "English". And just to add another point, the United States as a whole is already debating whether to have two main official languages, and one of those is Spanish. Also Hawaii DID have it's own language...now from what i understand is gone. I would rather see my family in Puerto Rico be happy...maybe it is better off they do not become a state just b/c of the racist commentary that I see in this thread...no one needs that. I vote to let it be the beautiful place it is. Oh and the person who said that Puerto Rican do not like the United States? Man, I think you should take a minute and think about that. My father is Puerto Rican born and raised there. He was in the US army and he cried just as hard as an "american" did when the world trade center was attacked. So don't speak out of places other than your mouths.
Tamari

**Cruez** · October 27th, 2003, 04:33 PM

The way I look at it..... who gives a rats ass....

The government wastes money on countless other countries for one reason or another they think is important....

Whoever has the most pull at the time the funds are given out... Its all crap... why even fight about it anymore...

**DanGrease** · October 27th, 2003, 05:11 PM

Originally posted by Theophylact
"Cut them loose"? We stole their island from Spain in a war based on fraud (sound familiar?). They're American citizens. They've voted against independence (despite terrorist nationalist movements) and against statehood (largely because there's no income tax). They'd require a lot less subsidy as a state, but they don't want to be one.

Why not cut Texas loose, while you're at it -- it's a similar story, and as the only state to join the US by treaty it's entitled to secede, so why not toss it out?

skybolt_1, I'm hearing ugly racist comments in this thread, and I don't like it. I've been beaten up by Irish kids because I was Jewish, but I'm not going to suggest cutting Boston loose. And I don't want to know what your ancestry is; we're all immigrants, willing or otherwise, except for the Indians, and look how we treat them.

Im with you 'Greek God' on this one. Many posts on this thread sound racist and I dont like that at all. I agree with everything you said. Youre a wise guy and I admire you because of that. Thats why I call you 'Greek God' and also because your avatar reminds me of one.

dan