Puerto Rico and the UN

[RebeldePorLaPAZ]

It&#39;s a question that just came up in my head. I know Puerto Rico is a commonwealth to the U&#036; and that it has there own constitution but does is have it&#39;s own seat in the UN??? <_<

[Marxist in Nebraska]

No, Puerto Rico does not have a seat in the UN...

[Babylon5 Crusade]

Why do you ever thought that Puerto Rico has a seat?

[SonofRage]

you may want to check out this page (http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Rico)

[Babylon5 Crusade]

Well Puerto Rico is not like the members of the British Commonwealth. Puerto Rico has its own government. Just like every state has its own government. One thing that PR doesnt have is a military, IRS, and etc. PR is basicly a mini-state.

[kingbee]

last time i checked, puerto rico is not a state, not represented by elections, but they can vote (both for presidential and congress elections) if they move to the mainland (they are seen as us citizens).its the same for citizens of DC.

[Babylon5 Crusade]

Originally posted by [email protected] 10 2003, 04:03 PM
last time i checked, puerto rico is not a state, not represented by elections, but they can vote (both for presidential and congress elections) if they move to the mainland (they are seen as us citizens).its the same for citizens of DC.
Well the could. If they voted to become a state. Since they dont want to pay income tax they vote to stay as an commonwealth. I believe that should change. Every citizen should pay their fair share.

[RebeldePorLaPAZ]

Well Puerto Rico is not like the members of the British Commonwealth. Puerto Rico has its own government. Just like every state has its own government. One thing that PR doesnt have is a military, IRS, and etc. PR is basicly a mini-state.

Yes Puerto Rico has there own government but to classify it as a mini-state is incorrect. Look at it more as a colony on the count that the constitution of Puerto Rico has been ignored at times by the U&#036; government. The commonwealth status of Puerto Rico looses its grip more and more. U&#036; influence on the corrupt government of Puerto Rico is yet another sign of the imperialism that was cast upon the island.


Well the could. If they voted to become a state. Since they dont want to pay income tax they vote to stay as an commonwealth. I believe that should change. Every citizen should pay their fair share.

To reply it’s a matter of been there and done that kind of thing. Let me explain what I mean by that. There is a large group of Puerto Ricans who believe that Puerto Rico needs change. Politics are big because the government is corrupt but to express what you stand for is very difficult. Many Puerto Ricans (especially ones that own businesses) believe that if Puerto Rico breaks away from U&#036; than there business will collapse. Therefore they will not employ anybody that is in the independence party or that believe in independence. This makes it hard for Puerto Ricans that believe in freedom to get a job. I can tell you that this is true as can be because both my mother and my aunt have suffered from this type of political segregation. They joined the independence party only to suffer and then have no other choice but to immigrate to U&#036; soil. That leads to many joining parties and voting for parties that will keep Puerto Rico a commonwealth (colonies) to the U&#036;. So in this sense they have to stay commonwealth. But there is always the question of becoming a state and paying taxes. Some believe it the only solution for a better Puerto Rico and those businesses would benefit who favor in becoming a state. But as much as some Puerto Ricans want it this will not happen because the U&#036; cannot afford to take Puerto Rico and make it another star on the flag. Puerto Rico lacks in health care and education worst than any state in the U&#036;. To rebuild that will be too much and to fix up roads and battered highways may cost hundreds of millions of dollars. George W. Bush is asking for &#036;87 billion to back the war on terror so can they afford to invest billions in Puerto Rico. Another thing, Puerto Rico wont leave the U&#036; easily either because he U&#036; desperately needs Puerto Rico for establishing relationships with Latin America. It’s the U&#036; hot spot. They will not even consider about letting Puerto Rico go until Fidel Castro dies and they have full control over Cuba. Why? Because the Cubans know how to work and Puerto Rico is in a struggle. So it’s really a complex way of politics but if you’ve been there and studies it you may begin to understand.

[marxbro]

well said Juju

[Ctisphonics]

He now, I know a couple of Peurto Ricans, only a minority supports the Independance movement. THe US Gov. has historically (the latter historically, not during our Socialist days though with Theodore Roosevelt) been supportive of PR gaining thier independance, we still have Havanna and Kat Island to keep Cuba in Check, as well as a huge Navy and Airforce. I remember Pres. Clinton even did an hour+ radio address to the PR.

The main conflict lies in Rather they want to become a state or not, most are for staying in the US. A a territory, they get certain benifits, but at the same time, their stuck being Subjects of Congress, like Guam or Washington D.C. The can&#39;t vote for president or for congress, but can send a represenative, though that position doesn&#39;t get a vote. Our system of Territories was set up to encourage territories to become states, we never thought a territory would get cozy in it&#39;s position and not want to advance, so it&#39;s weird. If we allow PR to send reps. to the House and Senate like other states, but at the same time not pay taxes, this will lay the foundation for future countires, be it through a just or unjust war in the future, to demand the same rights&#33; This means a situation in the future such as the Nazis and Japanese having the right to vote in the Senate after WW2&#33; If we conquer to much territory, the opposition (and by opposition, I DON&#39;T MEAN PARTY POLITICS&#33;) would gain De Jure Authority. The aftermath of WW3 would be worst than the war itself&#33;

So, do the PR want to pay taxes or not, that&#39;s the issue......

[Borincano]

Originally posted by [email protected] 14 2003, 05:24 PM
So, do the PR want to pay taxes or not, that&#39;s the issue......
Even if Puerto Ricans payed taxes, it would only contribute about &#036;48 million, since according to Federal standards Puerto Ricans are "poor." (A look at the huge consumerism on the island is in conflict with that) Under statehood Puerto Rico could send 7 Congressman + Senators, that would mean a higher voting power than 25 states. Therefore, billions and billions in Federal money would be going to PR while only a few million is contributed to the national treasury. The USA Congress is obviously not that stupid to allow statehood. :rolleyes: