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Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM

AceofSpades Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
#192551: Jun 9th 2017 at 1:24:42 AM

Part of the problem is every state appears to want to declare itself for someone first, meaning both parties have incentive to start placing primary dates at earlier and earlier times. I think there's one state that decided they'd move their primary date up after this last round.

SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#192552: Jun 9th 2017 at 1:25:51 AM

Yes, California did so a while ago.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#192553: Jun 9th 2017 at 1:32:51 AM

Polls suggest Puerto Ricans will vote "Yes" on pushing for statehood.

Recent polls show that 60-70% of respondents expressing an opinion want Puerto Rico to become the 51st state. Moreover, leaders of the two parties opposed to statehood have called for a boycott, all but guaranteeing a robust majority among those that show up to vote.

Just a reminder that the referendum is going to be held on June 11.

edited 9th Jun '17 1:34:25 AM by M84

Disgusted, but not surprised
Eschaton Since: Jul, 2010
#192554: Jun 9th 2017 at 1:35:39 AM

Wasn't something like that done several years ago? Or was that a different process?

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#192555: Jun 9th 2017 at 1:40:27 AM

[up] From the same article:

In 2012, the last time islanders voted on the issue, the results were ambiguous. In a two-stage ballot, 54% said they opposed the status quo, and 61% of voters who made a selection picked statehood as their preferred alternative. But since a quarter of voters left the second question blank, just 44% of ballots actually supported statehood.

This time, there will be a single question with three choices: statehood, “current territorial status” and independence. Moreover, thanks to the austerity imposed by the control board—representing some 20% of total public spending by 2019—enthusiasm for the status quo has shrivelled. And because support for independence has always been scant—most Puerto Ricans treasure their American citizenship—many former believers in the Commonwealth now see joining the union as the least-bad option.

Here's Wikipedia's entry on the 2012 referendum.

edited 9th Jun '17 1:43:45 AM by M84

Disgusted, but not surprised
NativeJovian Jupiterian Local from Orlando, FL Since: Mar, 2014 Relationship Status: Maxing my social links
Jupiterian Local
#192556: Jun 9th 2017 at 3:58:03 AM

I feel like the two-party system is a combination of FPTP, the "big tent" nature of the GOP and Dems, and the fact that all the high profile third parties are....kind of crazy.
It's less that it's a combination of those three so much as the latter two are consequences of the former. FPTP voting causes big-tent parties because small, focused parties can't win FPTP elections, and big-tent parties cause third parties to be crazy because the only ones who end up in third parties are the ones who either refuse to work with the big-tent parties or whose positions are so out there that they don't fit under the big tent.

Really from Jupiter, but not an alien.
CaptainCapsase from Orbiting Sagittarius A* Since: Jan, 2015
#192557: Jun 9th 2017 at 5:12:37 AM

On one hand, they'd most likely vote democrat. On the other hand, GOP leadership desperately wants to win Brownie points among Hispanic voters, and Trump's ego won't allow him to not be the President to annex a 51st state.

Zendervai Since: Oct, 2009
#192558: Jun 9th 2017 at 6:06:58 AM

Trump's directly insulted Puerto Rico at least once and it's pretty guaranteed the Republicans in general will try to block it. Even if Trump allows it, it'll be a victory that a lot of his base really doesn't want.

Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#192559: Jun 9th 2017 at 6:34:06 AM

A lot of people don't even realize that Puerto Rico is a part of the United States. Like the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Guam, it's a forgotten stepchild.

As for the voting system, unless we fundamentally restructure it (which would require a Constitutional amendment), it's set up so no more than two parties can meaningfully compete at the national level. This was actually intentional. The only way a third party can hope to step into power is if it replaces one of the existing parties.

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
Elle Since: Jan, 2001
#192560: Jun 9th 2017 at 6:42:11 AM

Semi:obligitory:

''Imigrant goes to America!// Many hellos in America!// Nobody knows in America,// Puerto Rico's in America!''

Deadbeatloser22 from Disappeared by Space Magic (Great Old One) Relationship Status: Tsundere'ing
#192561: Jun 9th 2017 at 6:46:00 AM

A lot of people don't even realize that Puerto Rico is a part of the United States. Like the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Guam, it's a forgotten stepchild.

Some people do realise it, then seem shocked when it's pointed out that the American Citizens (and Nationals) get no votes in the election because of how backwards the electoral college is.

"Yup. That tasted purple."
DeMarquis (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#192562: Jun 9th 2017 at 8:57:17 AM

Our electoral system is screwy, and is going to remain screwy for the foreseeable future. We just have to deal with it.

I'm done trying to sound smart. "Clear" is the new smart.
Luigisan98 A wandering user from Venezuelan Muscat Since: Oct, 2013 Relationship Status: I <3 love!
A wandering user
#192563: Jun 9th 2017 at 9:06:05 AM

[up] And you're being cynic? There's still room left for change you know.

The only good fanboy, is a redeemed fanboy.
Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#192564: Jun 9th 2017 at 9:10:49 AM

No, he's being realistic. The US Constitution is a bastard to change, it would require the Dems to sweep consecutive elections at every level across the country. And agree on how to fix the problem.

Not happening.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
LSBK Since: Sep, 2014
#192565: Jun 9th 2017 at 9:17:14 AM

Though I'm fairly confident Republicans will try and block Puerto Rico if the people actually vote for statehood, them doing so is just another thing that will make them look really bad that can be used against them, and possibly Trump, next year and in 2020.

And on people not knowing that Puerto Rico is part of the United States, I once had a conversation with a teacher in high school, where he didn't believe me that Puerto Ricans were American citizens. He didn't seem to be able to get over the "being a citizen, but not being able to vote for president or having voting representation in congress" thing.

Incidentally, while this teacher was very conservative from what I would gleam, I'd image that he'd support statehood for them regardless of political implications because what I said above really didn't seem to mesh with him.

Luigisan98 A wandering user from Venezuelan Muscat Since: Oct, 2013 Relationship Status: I <3 love!
A wandering user
#192566: Jun 9th 2017 at 9:21:07 AM

[up][up] That is unless the GOP disappear in one way or another and be replaced with a saner party. If the constitution could be added more points for years, then it still can.

The only good fanboy, is a redeemed fanboy.
HextarVigar That guy from The Big House Since: Feb, 2015
That guy
#192567: Jun 9th 2017 at 9:22:43 AM

I don't sure there's such a thing now as 'more sane' as opposed to 'less crazy.'

And the terms don't mean the same thing.

Your momma's so dumb she thinks oral sex means talking dirty.
speedyboris Since: Feb, 2010
#192568: Jun 9th 2017 at 9:24:22 AM

The most chilling line of Comey's testimony: “I was honestly concerned that he might lie about the nature of our meeting, and so I thought it really important to document.”

The article elaborates further: "By itself, it’s neither a high crime nor a misdemeanor for a president to be dishonorable. But it’s a stain on the country, and it defines this moment. This is why Trump can’t get legislation through the Congress or get allies to cooperate, and why so many worry that he will disregard constitutional restraints. The president is not to be trusted. "

Bingo.

LinkToTheFuture A real bad hombre from somewhere completely different Since: Apr, 2015 Relationship Status: What's love got to do with it?
A real bad hombre
#192569: Jun 9th 2017 at 9:34:57 AM

IIRC the GOP promised to let PR in if they voted Yes in their platform

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." -Thomas Edison
DrDougsh Since: Jan, 2001
#192570: Jun 9th 2017 at 9:37:01 AM

The US Constitution is a bastard to change, it would require the Dems to sweep consecutive elections at every level across the country. And agree on how to fix the problem.

Or you could use force.

edited 9th Jun '17 9:37:09 AM by DrDougsh

Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#192571: Jun 9th 2017 at 9:39:23 AM

[up][up]The GOP is led by a serial liar. It wouldn't take anything for them to go back on that for some BS reason.

LSBK Since: Sep, 2014
#192572: Jun 9th 2017 at 9:41:06 AM

Platforms are just guidelines anyway, it's not like anyone is obliged to follow everything in them. That's why I partially played devil's advocate when people argued that Trump would be a terrible president just because of how horrible the GOP national platform is.

edited 9th Jun '17 9:41:26 AM by LSBK

RedSavant Since: Jan, 2001
#192573: Jun 9th 2017 at 10:26:54 AM

@DrDougsh: I think as a thread we've kind of moved beyond the 'force everybody to agree with you' proposition, not least because that would also be a logistical nightmare.

It's been fun.
LinkToTheFuture A real bad hombre from somewhere completely different Since: Apr, 2015 Relationship Status: What's love got to do with it?
A real bad hombre
#192574: Jun 9th 2017 at 10:32:07 AM

"using force"sounds like a recipe for disaster

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." -Thomas Edison
TacticalFox88 from USA Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Dating the Doctor

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