Will another state be admitted in 50 years?

[Horatio_Hellpop]

[QUOTE=scotandrsn]
In that event, I predict that Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, etc. will be given the opportunities to become states or independent ally nations, WITHOUT the option of continued territory status.

[QUOTE]

This is a nervy question froman ex-DC boy, but… Do Guam and American Samoa really rate Senate representation?

[Aeschines]

@DrDeth

PR has had a couple+ referendums, and the majority has always said “Commonwealth” and I see no reason for them to change. There is quite a bit of anti-“yanqui” feeling there, but not enough for them to give up the ride on the gavy train.

Not according to my research. A plurality has voted for statehood and only a small fraction have voted for any of the other options. In the last referendum they stupidly had a “none of the above” choice on the ballot (PLUS a bunch of other obscure choices). If it weren’t for that, statehood would likely have gotten a majority vote. At any rate, remaining a tax parasite shouldn’t be an option for them, though I’d like to see them become a state.

[BrainGlutton]

@Aeschines

At any rate, remaining a tax parasite shouldn’t be an option for them, though I’d like to see them become a state.

Well, you may have put your finger on it. At present, the Puerto Ricans pay no federal taxes. How much money are they willing to pay out-of-pocket for representation in Congress?

[Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus]

@BrainGlutton

The problem is that they’re deadlocked on the issue. Some Puerto Ricans want statehood, some want independence. And, of course, if PR becomes a state of the Union it will never be independent, and if it becomes independent it will never be a state of the Union. Maintaining the status quo at least keeps their options open.

The options work at the level of the individual too, I believe.

Many Puerto Ricans immigrate to the U.S. But I’m not sure if that’s the right word, since the current status of P.R. allows them to come to the U.S. and work legally at will. They’re already part of the U.S., after a fashion. So why would they want to become independent and lose that favored immigration status that is unique to them, in all Latin America?