EXCUSE ME SIR SINCE THE KOREAN WAR WE SERVED WITH PLEASURE FOR THAT GREAT AMERICAN FLAG TRYNG TO HOLD THE DMZ LINE WHILE THE CHINESE HELP THEM PUSH THE TROOPS BACK ,OH WHAT ABOUT VIETNAM AND WARS AFTER WE WASNT THERE. YOU BETTER CHECK YOUR SELF RICANS DIED FOR THAT GREAT AMERCAN FLAG THAN ANY OTHER HISPANIC GROUP P.S THERES ALOT OF US THAT LIVE IN THE MAIN LAND THAT DO PAY TAXES THE BIG KEY TO STATEHOOD VOTE 99.9 %. ZERO PROPERTY TAX THAT THE HOLD OUT WE ARE WILLING TO PAY MORE FED AND STATE TAX THAN THE MAINLAND BUT ZERO PROPERTY TAX AND EVERONE WILL SIGN ON STATEHOOD.! PLEASE HAVE A LITTLE MORE RESPECT DONT FORGET WE BOTH WASH EACH OTHERS BACKSIDE LAST BUT NOT LEASE BUT ITS OK FOR INTERNATIONAL WELFARE /BUT NOT DOMESTIC WELFARE

WOWOWOWOWOW!!! Glen Beck dont know nothing. I heard him the day the bill was introduce and I turn it off!! he was totally out of contest and he sounded racist!!. I had a lot of respect for Beck, but now I completly lost it..

La querras tu nada mas loko.. Aprende, P.R libre, pa ningun lao que va.. Sera pa q paremos en las mismas de venezuela y cuba. Estaras tu loko. sigue so~nando. ESTADO 51! es lo mejor q le puede pasar a nuestra isla.

True!!!

Aloha Dankarlo.

I agree with you about the distrust for our government. You asked “why now?”
It is about collecting as many “countries” under your belt to try and build a better stance against others. For example: if you check out the website for the Executive Office of the President you will find plenty of interesting relations between the United States government and other countries. But it will also make you wonder – how the hell!!??!!

This will probably help you understand better why our representatives voted yes.
The more “progressive” (controlling of power) a government can become, the greater the benefits.

Like you, I too distrust this government – and I worry about this country and her peoople.

Aloha Americanme,

Try doing research before you post:
http://www.irs.gov/app/vita/puerto_rico.html

PR citizens are obligated the same way that any other American is obligated in paying of taxes.

And in case you want to discuss the “illegal immigrants” I already checked:

http://www.irs.gov/publications/p515/ar02.html#en_US_publink1000224806
Look for the link entitled: “Foreign Persons”

Everyone who works in the United States is obligated to pay taxes – additionally, business who “employ legally” will be obligated to account for each employee. It is the “illegal employers” who do not inform the IRS of their business.

Thank you for your opinionated postings.

No offense Jibaro, but you may want to “rethink your drink.” More than likely it will take a while for the “statehood” to “officially” kick in for Puerto Rico. Additionally, do not be surprised when you have immigrants from other countries coming into your “state” and taking your jobs for lower wages, and your businesses heading out to other countries so they can have the “freedom” of the United States (government written) Free Trade Agreements.

Its a pain to deal with businesses that do not pay federal taxes, but it would be better if your country remain soverign. Hooking up with the United States will come with a Very High Price for countries to pay.

But I do hope that everything works out for the best interest of the people of PR.

Just out of curiosity: Where did you get the information about the United States “losing its soveriegnty to China?”

In doing research, I have found many “agreements” made by the United States government to be very “flexible” to the US, but very “restricted” to other countries in a suppressing manner.

Read through some of the Agreements endorsed by the United States Government:
www.ustr.gov/trade-agreements

In reference to the Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2010, I fear for the people of PR. Of course the US government is going to support the “statehood” of PR – it will make PR the 51st state!!

Gain an education first before speaking. Puerto Ricans are NOT getting a free ride from anything. The island pays all medicare and social security taxes like everyone else in the US.

And you can talk about plenty of education systems in the US having the same problems. Why single out Puerto Rico?

Forget the Republican or Democrat stuff. this was just a good old fashion power grab. progressives do not care about people, they just pretend they do. Its all about power for them, control the health care…you control the people. Career politicians are the problem and not the solution.

The poll number you quote has already been proven to be flawed. Poll after poll showed wide support on individual parts of the reform bill. But, of course, that’s the dirty little secret the GOP doesn’t want anyone to know.

I’m a little split… tho this would take away the chance for puerto rico to become sovereign, it may be exactly what we need to make sure that the USA doesn’t end up losing its sovereignty to China… So many people go on cruises to Puerto Rico, and Puerto Rico rarely ever gets a fair share of the money… If this bill passes, the US would be FORCED to share w/ Puerto Rico, also allowing for increased economic prosperity… PASS THE BILL!!!

you have to be kidding me and by the way that presedent support statehood for PR. You need to get educated first then talk.

Why you say that we will vote i belive me if this come to be a law we will vote for stehood, you need to move here and live for couple of years then you can talk.

WE WILL BE A STATE

As an American Citizen resident of Puerto Rico, I am happy that finally the Congress have decided to end the Oldest Colony of the World. The problem of Puerto Rico is the colonialist group that controls all the big businesses and wants to remain without paying federal taxes. Now this group which have used all the unspeakable political practices available have not been able to stop this Bill. Finally, justice will be served! Finally, the People of Puerto Rico which are as Americans as anyone born in the midwest will have its opportunity to be fully protected by the US Constitution.

Puerto Rico most definitely pay taxes just not Federal Income Tax but they do pay for Welfare programs, Social Security and Medicare and the military.

http://www.irs.gov/app/vita/puerto_rico.html

Besides we already know nearly half of U.S. residents don’t pay Federal Income Tax and not to mention illegal immigrants.

The US is telling PR… either you become a State and help pull your own weight. We are tired of giving you millions on education just to have PR’s youth be the lowest ranking grades in the whole US. We are not giving any more funds that are specifically for special education if you are going to use this money for what ever else you think PR needs. We are not giving you more money to spend on teachers salaries that sit around class talking on their cell phones and surfing the web. Teachers not even going to school leaving the children unattended, having the mothers that don’t work sit there with them and watch that a drug dealer don’t walk through the open gates of the school to sell to minors. The parents that actually care about their kids future making a decision of who is going to work and who is going to stay home in order to be ready to be at the school at any time in case a teacher does not show up for her class. PR either becomes a State and pull it’s weight or go on it’s own..

I know that what is happening here in the US is not easy for anyone, we are all suffering, all going through some hard times… But trust me, the US is better off letting PR GO or making them a state so they could pull their own weight. Make a search and find all the federal money that goes towards schools, even Federal Agents are taking over PR to do the job of normal police because the Puerto Rican police have a policy called PREVENT. They drive around day and night in their cop cars with the lights on. If the thief, felon, abuser, drug dealer and so one see the lights coming, the PR police think they are going to stop what they are doing, they are preventing. what a joke, they just hide and wait till they are gone to do what they were going to do in the first place. So in other words, the police don’t do anything, crime is soooo bad that the FEDS are all over the island. That my friends, is OUR hard working tax dollars at use in a place that does not pull their own weight.

Do you really think Puerto Ricans think the US is using them? It’s the other way around, Do you know how many millions of dollars a year go to PR? PRicans wants to stay the way they are, they can get all the money and help while being protected by the US and not paying a dime in taxes. See, part of our hard tax dollars go to the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. PR should either become a State in order for them to pull their own weight and make a LOT of people work instead of living of the federal government or they should BE ON THEIR OWN. On their own, lets see how it does….

I see a lot of people say that if PR becomes a state that the US will have more economical responsibilities towards PR. The US forks out millions of dollars every year to PR. Welfare, WIC, education and other grants. While the US government is forking out all this money to PR, residents of PR do not pay ANY taxes. Is that fair to us tax payers? The Island should either become the 51st state or be on their own. Puerto Ricans have voted against this 4 times already, of course they will vote against it. They want to continue reaping all the benefits… Having nice houses with out paying taxes. Working 1 or 2 jobs not paying taxes. How about working here in the US for 6 months and returning back to PR with money they saved just to collect unemployment and welfare. That is revenue that could be used here in the US to help the economy of the Place where they worked. If you are worried about the economy then educate yourself a little more about how PRicans live. PR free or the 51st State

Shame on our representatives for voting yes on this resolution!!! Make no mistake about it; they fully understand that by passing this they are one step closer to installing more progressive Senators and Representatives. The obvious question is “why now”? If they were looking out for us, they would have been focusing attention on job creation! I DISTRUST THEM…..

I feel they should be able to vote for the President if they can vote in the primaries. Other than that I don’t see why they need to become a state, they already pay taxes and are subject to Congress’ laws.

puerto rico tiene que ser una nacion libre desde el añ0 1950 con la dirrecion del dr.pedro albizu campos se declaro la republica de puerto rico y enviamos unos compatriotas a llevarle el mensa a el gobierno de estados unidos fue lolita lebron andres fiqueroa rafael cancel y luego enviamos a oscar collazo y griselio torresola quienes fuero nuestros comisionados verdaderos y que fuero a pedir la libertad de nuestra nacion .el partido nacionalista de puerto rico movimiento libertador le recuerda que deben de leer la historia para que procedan de acuerdo a el derecho internacional ya las naciones unidas se pronuncio con la resolucion que este aÑo se acaba el coloniaje asi que no se dejen enganar con el mentiroso pierlusi que funje como espia en wasghigton.nosotros queremos nuestra libertad .

If Commonwealth status won nothing would occur, however if the other option was triggered a second plebiscite would occur with three option Independence, Free Association, and Statehood. Depending on the outcome no further congressional action would be necessary. However if statehood was approved Congress would still have to approve that request meaning this bill does not grant Puerto Rico statehood! Also I think it should be clearly noted that the shift between the 1967 and 1993 plebiscites indicate that by now a majority of Puerto Ricans support annexation by the United States (i.e. Statehood).

The real key is that 12 years have now passed since the last actually plebiscite was held and this bill would be the first congressional mandated plebiscite, which the elected representatives of Puerto Rico want (Governor, Legislature, and Delegate Commissioner). Now lets be clear HR 2499 is also preferable because it one removes the None of the Above Option and allows for a two state plebiscite. The first would be to retain the current status or move to another status thus allowing those who support independence and statehood to vote for that option those that wish to vote for commonwealth would vote for the same status.

The unfortunate thing is with the added status we cannot be sure what the intention of the people of Puerto Rico is because while many of those that boycotted were in support of the Commonwealth status there were some who support Independence and Statehood that just didn’t like the manner in which the election was held.

Now the ‘fourth’ vote you speak of was actually the 1991 Constitutional Amendment this vote would not have impacted political status but rather would have defined a process to self determination. However it was defeated 53% to 45%.

You may be correct, however, we can’t be entirely sure. You see there have really only been three plebiscites one in 1967, 1993, and 1998. The one in 1967 and 1993 there were three options Independence, Commonwealth, Statehood. In 1967 .6% of the population voted for Independence whereas 60.4% voted for Commonwealth Status and 39% voted for Statehood. Another plebiscite was held in 1993 in which there was a dramatic swing in support of Statehood. This time 4.5% voted on Independence 48.9% voted for Commonwealth status and 46.6% voted for Statehood. Now the last plebiscite held in 1998 created a fourth option None of the Above which received 50.3% of the vote because of parties boycotting the election Statehood received 46.7% and Commonwealth Status 0.3% and Independence received 2.5%.

Finally I would advise that the NPP is much more socially and fiscally conservative which would align themselves much more with the US Republican Party in ideology. With that said you have to also understand that Puerto Rico is very religious having a huge Roman Catholic population. This most likely would mean that the Representation of Puerto Rico would most likely benefit the Republicans and if not would elect Conservative Democrats, which to be honest I think is more detrimental to the Democratic Party. The only thing I would concede is that Puerto Rico is a fairly densely populated island with over 1,000 people on average per square mile, which would lend to more urbanization and that demographic tends to vote more liberally albeit that is usually more socially liberal, however that might be mitigated by the religious conservatives.