# Stunning statistic disqualifies Puerto Rico from US statehood **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 21, 2012, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stunning-statistic-disqualifies-puerto-rico-from-us-statehood/641684 "2012-11-21T03:29:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Linden\_Arden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/53a042/32.png) [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2012, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stunning-statistic-disqualifies-puerto-rico-from-us-statehood/641684/1 "2012-11-21T03:29:33Z")
> [@](#): > > Nine of the 10 top U.S. zip codes for workers collecting Social Security disability benefits are in Puerto Rico, according to government data. [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903532804576564543481258206.html](http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903532804576564543481258206.html) Is it possible to revoke their US citizenship? ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2012, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stunning-statistic-disqualifies-puerto-rico-from-us-statehood/641684/2 "2012-11-21T03:35:35Z")
Ummm…wtf? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2012, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stunning-statistic-disqualifies-puerto-rico-from-us-statehood/641684/3 "2012-11-21T03:42:48Z")
Seconded. **Linden Arden** , please explain your reasoning, whatever it is. ---
**Author:** ![Linden\_Arden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/53a042/32.png) [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2012, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stunning-statistic-disqualifies-puerto-rico-from-us-statehood/641684/4 "2012-11-21T03:53:20Z")
What is it about the nature of work that makes disability so pervasive there? Maybe I am wrong. In light of SSDI fraud I find this troubling. ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2012, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stunning-statistic-disqualifies-puerto-rico-from-us-statehood/641684/5 "2012-11-21T03:56:00Z")
If you think that’s bad, you need to visit the Deep South more. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2012, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stunning-statistic-disqualifies-puerto-rico-from-us-statehood/641684/6 "2012-11-21T04:10:49Z")
If you read the article it’s about disability fraud where 290 laid off workers from one employer allegedly used the same doctor to claim disability. The article is looking at disability fraud. Your question about revoking citizenship is ill-advised at best, at worst kit could be pit-worthy material. ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2012, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stunning-statistic-disqualifies-puerto-rico-from-us-statehood/641684/7 "2012-11-21T04:26:17Z")
> [@Linden\_Arden](#): > > What is it about the nature of work that makes disability so pervasive there? > > Maybe I am wrong. > > In light of SSDI fraud I find this troubling. I’m sorry, what you’re saying isn’t remotely clear. I trust that you’re being genuine and not attempting merely to stir up things, so please make your argument clearer. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2012, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stunning-statistic-disqualifies-puerto-rico-from-us-statehood/641684/8 "2012-11-21T04:34:47Z")
I don’t understand; are you trying to suggest some sort of widespread _state-sponsored_ fraud? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2012, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stunning-statistic-disqualifies-puerto-rico-from-us-statehood/641684/9 "2012-11-21T04:37:11Z")
Part of the criteria for SSDI is whether the applicant can perform work that is available in the market. Puerto Rico has a much higher unemployment rate than the country generally (13.8%), so it stands to reason that there would be a higher number of applicants who are qualified for SSDI due to a combination of medical and vocational factors. [QUOTE=Linden Arden] What is it about the nature of work that makes disability so pervasive there? [/QUOTE] What is it about a potentially high rate of disability fraud that makes you think unilaterally revoking citizenship isn’t an asinine idea? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2012, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stunning-statistic-disqualifies-puerto-rico-from-us-statehood/641684/10 "2012-11-21T04:47:14Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > I don’t understand; are you trying to suggest some sort of widespread _state-sponsored_ fraud? Well, commonwealth-sponsored, maybe. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2012, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stunning-statistic-disqualifies-puerto-rico-from-us-statehood/641684/11 "2012-11-21T04:51:07Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Well, commonwealth-sponsored, maybe. I was using the more general version of “state” simply to mean the goverment. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2012, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stunning-statistic-disqualifies-puerto-rico-from-us-statehood/641684/12 "2012-11-21T04:55:30Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Part of the criteria for SSDI is whether the applicant can perform work that is available in the market. Puerto Rico has a much higher unemployment rate than the country generally (13.8%), so it stands to reason that there would be a higher number of applicants who are qualified for SSDI due to a combination of medical and vocational factors. Not that I think they should be denied statehood, but when 290 out of 300 of the people who were laid off apply, that’s more than “a higher number of applicants who are qualified”. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2012, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stunning-statistic-disqualifies-puerto-rico-from-us-statehood/641684/13 "2012-11-21T04:57:15Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > I was using the more general version of “state” simply to mean the goverment. I know, and I was using the more specific term to be a smartass. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2012, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stunning-statistic-disqualifies-puerto-rico-from-us-statehood/641684/14 "2012-11-21T04:59:24Z")
> [@](#): > > Not that I think they should be denied statehood, but when 290 out of 300 of the people who were laid off apply, that’s more than “a higher number of applicants who are qualified”. Yes, but that’s based (apparently) on the opinion of _one physician_; the OP is conflating that story and the generally high rate of SSDI approval in Puerto Rico. It’s a pretty good reason to investigate the Puerto Rican administrative law judges’ selection process and qualifications, and the physician, but it’s kind of a stretch to get from there to “let’s take away citizenship for Puerto Ricans.” ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2012, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stunning-statistic-disqualifies-puerto-rico-from-us-statehood/641684/15 "2012-11-21T05:06:19Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Yes, but that’s based (apparently) on the opinion of _one physician_; the OP is conflating that story and the generally high rate of SSDI approval in Puerto Rico. It’s a pretty good reason to investigate the Puerto Rican administrative law judges’ selection process and qualifications, and the physician, but it’s kind of a stretch to get from there to “let’s take away citizenship for Puerto Ricans.” I’m not reading it that way… > [@](#): > > Shortly after the layoff, 290 of the 300 former employees applied for Social Security disability benefits and they all used the same doctor, who lived far from the plant To me, that says, before we even _get_ to the physician: 300 people got laid off 290 of them applied for SSDI Not unemployment. DISABILITY benefits. 290 people went from working one day to being disabled to the point they felt they couldn’t work shortly thereafter. ---
**Author:** ![Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimmy_Gibbler)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2012, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stunning-statistic-disqualifies-puerto-rico-from-us-statehood/641684/16 "2012-11-21T06:10:07Z")
> [@lisacurl](#): > > If you think that’s bad, you need to visit the Deep South more. Hear, hear. In Owsley County, Kentucky, more than 50% of total county-wide personal income comes from federal benefits. Should they be expelled from the Union as well? ---
**Author:** ![KarlGrenze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dbc845/32.png) [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2012, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stunning-statistic-disqualifies-puerto-rico-from-us-statehood/641684/17 "2012-11-21T07:38:12Z")
BTW, although that is fraud, working Puerto Ricans (whether in the US mainland, abroad, or in the island) _do_ pay into the social security program. ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2012, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stunning-statistic-disqualifies-puerto-rico-from-us-statehood/641684/18 "2012-11-21T13:53:02Z")
> [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](#): > > Hear, hear. In Owsley County, Kentucky, more than 50% of total county-wide personal income comes from federal benefits. Should they be expelled from the Union as well? If you can get them all on an island? Yes! ---
**Author:** ![leahcim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@leahcim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leahcim)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2012, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stunning-statistic-disqualifies-puerto-rico-from-us-statehood/641684/19 "2012-11-21T14:20:09Z")
> [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](#): > > Hear, hear. In Owsley County, Kentucky, more than 50% of total county-wide personal income comes from federal benefits. Should they be expelled from the Union as well? I’d think that a large contributing factor to the proportion of disability in these poor areas is that any upwardly mobile people move away to get jobs, rather than sticking around to work. The only ones that are left are the ones who can’t work (or lazy fraudsters). ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2012, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stunning-statistic-disqualifies-puerto-rico-from-us-statehood/641684/20 "2012-11-21T14:20:43Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > I’m not reading it that way… > > To me, that says, before we even _get_ to the physician: > > 300 people got laid off > 290 of them applied for SSDI > > Not unemployment. DISABILITY benefits. 290 people went from working one day to being disabled to the point they felt they couldn’t work shortly thereafter. So all the people working at one factory filed fraudulent disability claims. Does that say something about Puerto Ricans in general? Or, is it more likely that one of them did it and told everyone else? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stunning-statistic-disqualifies-puerto-rico-from-us-statehood/641684.md?page=2)