Should Puerto Rico gain statehood?

[aristotle]

The Democrats in the US Congress approved a bill allowing for Puerto Rico to vote again on the possibility of becoming our 51st state. Puerto Rico could vote for other status change options on the ballot, but is statehood appropriate?

 

[Turtle]

Sure it's appropriate, if they want it. Right now they have most of the benefits without the hassles, though, so I'm not sure why they would.

 

[greg334]

I'm with Turtle, I can't see why they would be that dumb. They have the best of both worlds and if they become a state, the opposition will not like it.

 

[chefdennis]

The people have voted it down the last 3 times......this deal is a bit different, it is about the political makeup in DC. It is not about the people of Puerto Rico or what they want....

 

[pelicn]

The New Progressive Party in Puerto Rico is pushing hard for this.

 

[greg334]

The New Progressive Party in Puerto Rico is pushing hard for this.

Yea but the PR separatist/nationalist don't like the idea that they are even connected to us. I think that maybe if they become a state, there may be serious issues with these terrorists.

 

[Rhodes101]

We need to push hard for their statehood, The country needs their votes in the next presidential election.

 

[Rhodes101]

From what I understand it would be aprox. 7 or 8 more elec. college votes for the good guys.

 

[LDB]

Yes, it's all about the votes in DC. If they can't get the criminal aliens into the voting booth quickly enough they'll make do with these in the interim.

 

[Turtle]

Not to put too fine a point on it, but using the term "criminal alien" the way you do reeks of ignorance. For one, immigration law is civil, not criminal, so when someone comes here illegally they are not even breaking a law (except now in Arizona, of course, which is why it's such a big deal that they made it a crime to be in Arizona if you are in this country illegally).

If an illegal alien is deported, and then is caught here a second time, then it's a felony and if prosecuted and convicted, it would then be correct to call them a criminal alien, but again, only after they have been convicted of being here a second time, or convicted of some other crime.

For the first offense, since it's not criminal, that's why they aren't subject to (nor can they demand) due process before they get deported. If we say you're out, you're out. If we criminalize that first offense, then each and every deportation will require a trial before a judge and jury. Be careful of what you wish for.

 

[greg334]

Turtle,
I don't know about what you are saying but there is a statue or two about entering the country without permission. It isn't an immigration thing, but a customs thing. Even though Mexican nationals don't need visas because of a treaty (permission), they still have to follow the laws pertaining to the process of entering the country.

 

[chefdennis]

It is illegal ENTRY into the county that is a criminal crime, thats crossing into the country in any other place but a legal border crossing. BUT, once here even if they do it illegally, them being here, is a civil crime the 1st time....

 

[greg334]

So Chef, if they entered armed, isn't that considered an invasion and not civil?

 

[chefdennis]

The "Entrying" is the criminal act...armed or unarmed....but if they get here without being caught ( no one knows they got across the border in the middle of the night crossing ina wahout) , then their being here is a civil crime, not criminal... and if no one knows they are here, then no one kbowss thet were armed when they crossed.....

And if they try to enter armed at a border crossing, then they can pay the price for that....but it wouldn't be "invasion"....