Fenton Lum
Gold Member
- May 7, 2016
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While we invade others for doing the same.Well, until Puerto Ricans' plebiscite votes to become a state, I guess that's an open question. If the Congress is as good as their word, they will follow the will of the people. Maybe someday they'll decide to go on their own.And have they also voted for the economic exploitation?Last time I heard about it, the Puerto Rican people voted DOWN becoming a state. It's been awhile, that may have changed.Actually Puerto Ricans are not allowed to vote in the general, only primaries. The citizens of Puerto Rico do not have any voting representation in the US govt., they are not represented in the electoral college and are unable to vote in US presidential elections. Even though the population is greater than 21 of the 50 states and abd Puerto Ricans are over represented in the US military. But such is life in the colonies of the empire. Those born in Ameican Samoa are not even citizens at all.
The United States acquired the islands of Puerto Rico in 1898 after the Spanish–American War. In 1950, Congress enacted legislation (P.L. 81-600) authorizing Puerto Rico to hold a constitutional convention and in 1952, the people of Puerto Rico ratified a constitution establishing a republican form of government for the island. After being approved by Congress and the President in July 1952 and thus given force under federal law (P.L. 82-447), the new constitution went into effect on July 25, 1952.
Puerto Rico has been under U.S. sovereignty for over a century and Puerto Ricans have been U.S. citizens since 1917.[11][12][13] Since the promulgation of the current Commonwealth constitution in 1952, further local attempts to change the island's political status took place in 1967, 1993, and 1998. An additional referendum held in 1991 sought to amend the relationship through an amendment to the Puerto Rican constitution. Each time, the results favored retaining the current status over the possible independence of Puerto Rico and statehood alternatives.
As a result of Puerto Rico's status as a U.S. territory, the citizens of Puerto Rico do not have any voting representation in the U.S. Federal government. Instead of outright representation through Senators and House Representatives, Puerto Rico has one non-voting Resident Commissioner in the House of Representatives. Furthermore, Puerto Rico is not represented in the Electoral College, and thus U.S. citizens resident there are unable to vote in U.S. presidential elections. Citizens of Puerto Rico can vote in the Republican and Democratic primary elections.
Although Puerto Rico presently has a certain amount of local autonomy, according to the U.S. Constitution ultimate governance of the island is retained by both the U.S. Congress and President.[14][15][16] Thus, results of plebiscites, whether or not authorized by Congress, while they reflect public sentiment, and thus bear some impact, can be ignored by Congress. Ultimately, the results of Puerto Rican plebiscites are opinions, although congressional resolutions have expressed support for following the will of the Puerto Rican people.
Political status of Puerto Rico - Wikipedia
Is that how a US "territory" becomes a state? They just vote amongst themselves and they're in? I'm a bit surprised you play this off, but ok.