Puerto Ricans voted to join the Union

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Don't know if you've heard, but Puerto Rico may be the 51st state. By simple majority, Puerto Ricans voted to join the US.

Poll results:
http://www.ceepur.org/REYDI_NocheDelEvento/index.html#en/default/OPCIONES_NO_TERRITORIALES_ISLA.xml
Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/puerto-rico-votes-on-whether-to-change-relationship-with-us-elects-governor-and-legislators/2012/11/06/d87278ae-288b-11e2-aaa5-ac786110c486_story.html

though in the fine print the referendum requires a clear majority to pass, this is still the first time that the majority has sided with statehood.

What's your thoughts?

 

[Quaxar]

Isn't that basically a state already? They don't get to vote but they even partake in the pre-elections. So basically... not much would change really.

 

[Fappy]

I think it still has to pass in congress, but I'd be all for it.

 

[Lucem712]

They're basically a state already, except that they don't pay taxes or get to vote in the Presidential election. I'd be a cool thing to have a State added during my lifetime.

"Back in my day, Puerto Rico wasn't a State!" -shakes cane-

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

I'm actually kind of surprised by this. The last I heard about the idea of Statehood for Puerto Rico, most Puerto Ricans were happy with they way they have almost all of the benefits of citizenship with a significantly reduced number of obligations. I'd be glad to see a 51st state in my lifetime, it's just what I've heard about how the average Puerto Rican sees it.

 

[Euryalus]

They have no representation in Congress or the Executive branch (i.e. Can't vote for the president) which also excludes them from indirectly choosing the Supreme Court. How is that "basically a state" guys?

OT: I'd be happy to see them become a State, Then maybe the hardcore conservatives would shutup about Spanish being "unamerican"

 

[roushutsu]

If they want to be part of the USA, why not let them? I think it'd be cool to witness a new state in my lifetime.

 

[Joseph Harrison]

Then maybe people would stop calling Puerto Ricans immigrants.

This will be awesome though, my only question is what will we do with the flag?

My plan, combine South and North Dakota so we still have 50 states and we don't have to change the flag

 

[Andy Shandy]

It'll be odd thinking about Puerto Rico as the 51st State instead of this =P

But yes, having a new state would be a cool thing to say happened during my lifetime (even though it won't particularly affect me, as a Brit)

 

[Ryotknife]

Then maybe people would stop calling Puerto Ricans immigrants.

This will be awesome though, my only question is what will we do with the flag?

My plan, combine South and North Dakota so we still have 50 states and we don't have to change the flag

or merge Rhode Island seeing how it is about the size of my backyard.

 

[uneek]

Then maybe people would stop calling Puerto Ricans immigrants.

Especially since we're already U.S. Citizens. We use your money and everything.

 

[Imthatguy]

53rd state you mean Canada is 51st and England 52nd.

 

[Spartan212]

Then maybe people would stop calling Puerto Ricans immigrants.

This will be awesome though, my only question is what will we do with the flag?

My plan, combine South and North Dakota so we still have 50 states and we don't have to change the flag

This is what I've seen around the net today

 

[Evil Smurf]

this a a historically cool thing to happen!

 

[elbrandino]

My plan, combine South and North Dakota so we still have 50 states and we don't have to change the flag

My god, that is the exact plan I came up with in class today!

Seriously though, I'd love to see a 51st state. Territories always seemed a strange thing for a 21st Century nation to have to me anyway.

 

[jamesbrown]

Then maybe people would stop calling Puerto Ricans immigrants.

This will be awesome though, my only question is what will we do with the flag?

My plan, combine South and North Dakota so we still have 50 states and we don't have to change the flag

This is what I've seen around the net today

That flag is EPIC!
And it would boost the economy because we all would have to buy new flags

 

[lacktheknack]

53rd state you mean Canada is 51st and England 52nd.

And here I was, thinking the United States of America was a colony of England. Live and learn.

OT: Nifty. I wonder how citizens of the other 50 states would react.

 

[Cheery Lunatic]

Isn't that basically a state already? They don't get to vote but they even partake in the pre-elections. So basically... not much would change really.

They would get representation in Congress.

That's kind of big.

 

[Knight Captain Kerr]

In reality Puerto Ricans are US citizens who aren't allowed vote. They are like 2nd class citizens. Puerto Rico should become a full state.

 

[Ryotknife]

53rd state you mean Canada is 51st and England 52nd.

Wouldnt that make us the Britania Empire from Code Geass?