Author Topic: Why Haven't Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands Become States? (Read 5634 times)

Palumboism · « **on:** March 21, 2019, 11:45:49 AM »

Why don't America's territories become states already?

It seems to have worked out for Hawaii.

IRON CROSS · « **Reply #1 on:** March 21, 2019, 11:52:08 AM »

Quote from: Palumboism on March 21, 2019, 11:45:49 AM

Why don't America's territories become states already?

It seems to have worked out for Hawaii.

& 'American' Samoa

residue · « **Reply #2 on:** March 21, 2019, 11:52:41 AM »

Quote from: Palumboism on March 21, 2019, 11:45:49 AM

Why don't America's territories become states already?

It seems to have worked out for Hawaii.

they would also all be massive welfare states

IroNat · « **Reply #3 on:** March 21, 2019, 01:07:14 PM »

It's come up to a vote in PR several times and they voted no.

LurkerNoMore · « **Reply #4 on:** March 21, 2019, 01:18:59 PM »

Cause we don't want their asses in our club. We only took Hawaii because of it's strategic location. Why else? It's not like they have contributed to the country otherwise. Bunch of meth heads and chubby boob males running around.

robcguns · « **Reply #5 on:** March 21, 2019, 02:01:14 PM »

Better question why haven’t we disowned them.

tres_taco_combo · « **Reply #6 on:** March 21, 2019, 03:00:40 PM »

honest answer?

50 is a good round number

JAGO · « **Reply #7 on:** March 21, 2019, 03:07:00 PM »

Quote from: residue on March 21, 2019, 11:52:41 AM

they would also all be massive welfare states

Bingo, because they would qualify for federal money ( disaster relief, infra structure etc. )

J

Big Daddy Caine · « **Reply #8 on:** March 21, 2019, 03:10:45 PM »

Cause they'll vote democratic and the gop can't have that happen.

Moontrane · « **Reply #9 on:** March 21, 2019, 03:59:21 PM »

The Virgin Islands voted on the matter in 1993. Most voted to remain a territory,
but voter turnout was less than 50%, so it didn't change anything. Most things move
very slowly there, lots of apathy, I’m sorry to say.

1/3 of SS disability claims in Puerto Rico are for mood disorders. In contrast, 10% of SS
disability claims in Montana are mood disorders. For a time, not being able to speak
English qualified as a disability. I don’t think the U.S. would benefit from PR’s statehood.

IroNat · « **Reply #10 on:** March 21, 2019, 04:58:19 PM »

What advantage would PR get by becoming a state?

PR's are US citizens.

The country gets aid and disaster relief from the US.

It gets military protection.

There is nothing they really don't get except representation in Congress and the Senate.

Moontrane · « **Reply #11 on:** March 21, 2019, 05:51:45 PM »

Quote from: IroNat on March 21, 2019, 04:58:19 PM

What advantage would PR get by becoming a state?

PR's are US citizens.

The country gets aid and disaster relief from the US.

It gets military protection.

There is nothing they really don't get except representation in Congress and the Senate.

Federal highway funds for the train tracks from PR to Florida?

PR's population is declining, and the fertility rate is in the crapper. It's becoming and island
of older folks. Perhaps in a couple generations Disney will buy large swaths of land and build
a theme park and hotel.

IroNat · « **Reply #12 on:** March 21, 2019, 06:22:00 PM »

Quote from: Moontrane on March 21, 2019, 05:51:45 PM

Federal highway funds for the train tracks from PR to Florida?

PR's population is declining, and the fertility rate is in the crapper. It's becoming and island
of older folks. Perhaps in a couple generations Disney will buy large swaths of land and build
a theme park and hotel.

A couple years ago I was seriously considering going to PR on vacation.

However, it is expensive and has a high crime rate so I didn't. As long as you stay in the tourist areas it's ok which is like most places.

From what I read you have to stay way out on the west end, away from the city.

Go 4 It · « **Reply #13 on:** March 21, 2019, 06:25:12 PM »

Anybody here ever been to Guam? I was offered a job at a big resort there, didn't end up taking it, but heard it's beautiful.

myt1 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 21, 2019, 10:05:57 PM »

Posts 2-9 answered the question very well!

Nicely done fellers

Palumboism · « **Reply #15 on:** March 23, 2019, 11:40:31 AM »

Quote from: IroNat on March 21, 2019, 04:58:19 PM

What advantage would PR get by becoming a state?

PR's are US citizens.

The country gets aid and disaster relief from the US.

It gets military protection.

There is nothing they really don't get except representation in Congress and the Senate.

Basically they're getting all the benefits of being an American state without having to pay federal taxes and without being able to vote for president. I understand why they like this situation. Who would want to pay Federal income taxes.

I think it's time America gave these territories an ultimatum. Either become a state or become your own country and loose your citizenship.

catracho · « **Reply #16 on:** March 24, 2019, 09:47:22 PM »

They would most likely be democrats. Republicans don't want 2-8 more democratic Senators.

BlackMetallic · « **Reply #17 on:** March 24, 2019, 10:09:48 PM »

How much do they pay in American taxes?

IroNat · « **Reply #18 on:** March 26, 2019, 04:34:51 AM »

Quote from: BlackMetallic on March 24, 2019, 10:09:48 PM

How much do they pay in American taxes?

Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens.

https://www.hrblock.com/tax-center/irs/tax-law-and-policy/do-puerto-ricans-pay-us-taxes/

"U.S. citizens who have lived all year on the island are exempt from filing taxes to the federal government of the United States as long as all of your income was from Puerto Rican sources only. However, if you receive income from anywhere else in the world, including the United States and/or if you are an employee of any agency of the United States in Puerto Rico, you must submit a form to the federal government."

denarii · « **Reply #19 on:** March 26, 2019, 05:40:46 AM »

if you spend half the year, ie winter, in PR you pay hardly any taxes.

dan18 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 26, 2019, 05:46:50 AM »

Quote from: Palumboism on March 21, 2019, 11:45:49 AM

Why don't America's territories become states already?

It seems to have worked out for Hawaii.

It helps the US greatly in terms of economics. According to records, Puerto Rico is costing the US over USD22 billion a year, but as a state, it can contribute nearly USD2 billion to the US Treasury every year.3. It offers more opportunities for Puerto Ricans. As previously mentioned, a high percentage of Puerto Ricans are living below the poverty level, but this would not be the case if their country’s statehood goes into effect. This means that all residents would get access to job and they would also have to pay the same taxes as we do

hardgainerj · « **Reply #21 on:** March 26, 2019, 06:15:11 AM »

is guam a shithole

dan18 · « **Reply #22 on:** March 26, 2019, 06:21:14 AM »

Quote from: hardgainerj on March 26, 2019, 06:15:11 AM

is guam a shithole

No they do a lot of business with Hawaii I actually liked it better Guam is a destination like no other. Only on Guam can you find star-sand beaches, crystal clear blue skies great food its like a small island retreat and the woman are nice..

HTexan · « **Reply #23 on:** March 26, 2019, 01:06:55 PM »

Quote from: tres_taco_combo on March 21, 2019, 03:00:40 PM

honest answer?

50 is a good round number

Nope, honest answer. Money. And why became a state? Went you don't have to pay taxes, and get the same benefits, minus voting?

Palumboism · « **Reply #24 on:** March 27, 2019, 07:50:28 AM »

Quote from: HTexan on March 26, 2019, 01:06:55 PM

Nope, honest answer. Money. And why became a state? Went you don't have to pay taxes, and get the same benefits, minus voting?

The ballot said would you like to pay federal taxes, yes or no. Most people said no. I can't understand why.

Seriously, it needs to be more painful to remain a territory than to become a state. They've made it the other way around. America's being to easy on these territories. There needs to be an ultimatum either you become a state, or you loose your territory status. Having territories that never become states seems pointless and costly.