Puerto Rico

Well, the fewer the representatives, the better off smaller states are. They get 1 representative even if their population is like <1000. That rounding up to 1 is more significant if the House count is small.

If Puerto Rico becomes a U.S state (which it probably will) it will mean two things

1. The Republicans will have an even harder time in general presidential elections to come

2. The U.S might get a more "hawkish" Latin America policy

You mean toward immigration?

edited 6th Nov '12 9:08:41 PM by DeviantBraeburn

Frankly I'm all for increasing membership of the house. (Like maybe putting it up to every 70k people instead of 100k.) I think the population is actually vastly underrepresented in general with so few people in the highest offices available in this country.

Other countries have their reps at a closer rep to population ratio.

Anyway, what I'm confused about is this: Which of these questions has more weight in deciding what the PR government does? Does a simply majority yes for the "change our status" have more weight than the "become a state if we have to change" question or what?

Well, other countries don't have the huge population US does. India is one place ahead of US in population by an enormous number and its legislature isn't that big either. China has a large legislature but you know, it's China.

And somehow I doubt that China's problems are caused by the number of representatives. Frankly I'm for an increase in officials because it gives more opportunities for votes to matter, and for people who aren't part of the rich elite to reach office.

@Deviant Braeburn

I was actually thinking about foreign policy

I don't follow.

First thing that comes to mind is the War on Drugs and the various Cartels and Guerillas.

I was thinking that maybe the U.S will have a more "hawkish" foreign policy when dealing with Latin America (mostly Cuba)

edited 7th Nov '12 12:46:52 AM by truteal

So when is a vote in Congress likely to happen?

There going vote on it? This is great news.

I still don't get it. Does Cuba or Venezuela threaten Puerto Rico often or something?

Only Venezuela, and that's mostly from Chavez's loud-mouthed rhetoric. Cuba has made some shallow threats in the past, but nobody views them as such today.

The most likely issue that the more paranoid members of Congress will bring up is the fact that there's a lot of Cuban immigrants in Puerto Rico, both legal and illegal, as well as many other South American nations. It's actually almost a non-issue since Puerto Rico enforces policies to ensure that they're immigrating legally, as well as the usual Homeland Security stuff, but I think a lot of them won't see it that way.

The other, more realistic and concerning issue is whether Puerto Rico would actually benefit from joining the Union. Yes, we'll get all sorts of new perks, the ability to vote, and a much stronger military presence, but what if it turns out that Puerto Rico was actually saving more money just by being a Commonwealth? I can't recall any of the counter arguements since I haven't been there for an eternity, but that big question has been hanging around both the public and Puerto Rican leadership's minds for some time.

edited 7th Nov '12 9:12:44 AM by SgtRicko

Wait, we're actually considering this now? I'm not sure if that's wise, seeing as only 33% of Puerto Ricans (68% of 54% is about 33% if I'm doing my math correctly) actually support statehood according to that poll.

Wrong. Everyone was asked for preferred alternate status, not just those who voted to change the status quo. Thus, we can say that:

• 53% of the electorate wants to change the status quo.
• If the status quo is changed, 60-something percent of the electorate wants statehood.

According to CNN, a vote for statehood has won:

Emphasis mine.

Fortunately in the three way question, statehood made a clear majority.

We must also congratulate whoever ran that poll.

edited 7th Nov '12 10:27:44 AM by SomeSortOfTroper

Is it bad that most of why I want this is because I hope we can get the bitchin' round field of stars flag?

I prefer the bars personally.

There's already a flag designed in case a 51th state pops out?

edited 7th Nov '12 10:48:29 AM by QuestionMarc

Not that my word means anything, but... I kind of like that circular star theme. It's been ages: time to break out the roundel, again, I think.

You also need to ask if people who voted 'no' to the status quo and didn't want statehood if they'd prefer the status quo if their chosen changes were not possible.

So when will congress and the president vote on accepting Puerto Rico?

That depends if it ever gets there. Puerto Rico voted in a pro "Stay the course, don't change anything. We're A-Okay as a Commonwealth." Governor by a narrow margin.

I don't think the governor can stop a federal resolution, though. It should be the legislative responsibility.