Would you like another star on the United States flag?  

I was not aware that we were providing them services until I heard it today. They should either join the states or do without our services.

I don't think we need another state and we certainly don't need nearly 4 million more people just to increase voter roles--estimate another 1-1.5 million adults. The progressives are already planning to do an amnesty thing, from what I'm hearing, so that 11-20 million new Hispanic citizens will gratefully vote for the democrat party. About 57% of them voted democrat in the last POTUS election.

I could have sworn that buying votes was illegal. Guess I was wrong...

I would be an independent or libertarian if it meant I could vote in the primaries. I never understood why Ls and Is couldn't vote then.

I would not mind PR becoming a state but I think it's just to get a million more votes for the democrats. You're right, this bickering and power grabbing without considering the people they are supposed to be working for is bull crap.

There are only 50 states right now, although in a campaign speech in 2009 our president-to-be claimed he'd been campaigning in 57 states with one more to go. Don't feel bad, even our president gets confused on it every so often.

I remember that the stars represent the states, and that they're 50 in all, and I thought the other one was not added to the flag because it would change it.
And I always thought that the 51st was Hawaii, and that Puerto Rico was an independent nation. lol.

I think they just want the votes. That, along with all the votes they will get by giving amnesty to 12-20 million illegal aliens will ensure that the dems control the government for the next few decades. I wouldn't mind dems if they weren't progressives but they are dangerous for our country, in my opinion. I don't like their socialist leanings--I should specify that I mean the leanings of their representatives, not the people themselves. Most of them are nice, reasonable and intelligent people.

The cost of the Obama Health Care supporting Medical care for all the amnesty transformed citizens plus the 4 million new citizens from Puerto Rico may get votes but will cripple the USA!
I used to be a nice,reasonable and intelligent Democrat until Obama came on the scene and change the Democratic party into his own personal tool to destroy the USA. Now I am a nice, reasonable and intelligent Independent.

Welcome, Whiteheather, to the ranks of Independents. I use to be a Republican. I changed my party at the beginning of Bush's second term, because I was that upset with Bush and the Republican Party. Now I'm so upset with Obama and the Democratic Party, I'm leaning right again. I'll probably stay an Independent, even though we don't get to vote in the primaries, just to keep them guessing which way I'm going to vote next. I've already made my decisions for 2010...and I'm just waiting to cast my vote.

I am also leaning to the right and as long as the Democrats have crooks like Obama, Pelsosi and Reid running the show I doubt I'll ever head in their direction again. I have also made my decisions for 2010.

The situations seem to be similar! I'm not sure if I want a 51st state, as I think the motivation is purely to get more votes for the party now in power. Moldova and Puerto Rico seem to be similar in their interactions, although Puerto Rico is a Spanish speaking island and we speak English here.

hi oceantiara I just found out you are no longer on my friends list, how did that happen? can we be friends again? hatley here.oh yes just going to say you think Denvers bad you should see the Hispanics here in ca and most are not here legally either.

I'm not sure what we give Puerto Rico, just that I read in the article that we provide many. I would not mind it being a state, just not for political reasons like acquiring more voters who would be more likely to vote for one party or another, which is what I think is going on.

Denver is 34% Hispanic. I welcome any group, nationality or race to this country as long as they come here legally and make an attempt to learn the language and hopefully get their citizenship. Did you know that naturalized citizens are more knowledgeable of our history and and government than most high school grads?! Bring on the immigrants, I say, just legal ones! I kind of got off the subject here but I felt it was important since you mentioned the large Hispanic population of Denver.

Hi Dragon

Whoever said Denver is 34% Hispanic obviously has never celebrated Cinco Di Myo Day on Federal Blvd in Denver LOL xooxo

I just looked it up on Google. Cinco Di Mayo in Phoenix is a hoot, too. Everyone has a great time and the downtown area is one big party!

Oh Hatley, I saw you spout off just now somewhere else!! Cheer up! I agree, if they want to be a state (which they don't so far) let them in and make them pay taxes. If not, don't provide them services for free.

I don't like this because the two parties see some new voters in the works if they can convince PR to become a state. That's the only reason they're doing it. Both parties, what jerks they all are! If there was a more legitimate reason I might be all for it. PR is a beautiful place and I've heard the people are lovely.

Get a nice cup of tea, look outside at the sunshine and sky and let yourself feel all the blessings He has given you. Forget your troubles. They are only temporary, after all. Enjoy the day!

Link to the bill
http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h2499/text

Your last paragraph, thankfully, blows my conspiracy theory out of the water. I hate to think of voting manipulation going on so blatantly. I didn't think they could cap the number of reps, either, doesn't the constitution only say every state should be represented according to their population? This Congress is seriously whacko.

As usual, a very well thought out and instructive response, thank you!

Vote them out in 2010 and 2012!

lol...thanks. I'm not sure how routine this bill is or isn't. I know a number of resolutions and bills have come up before that generaly tell Puerto Rico to "take your leak or get off the pot" This might just be another one of those bills? *shrug* not too sure.

I don't know, though. Once PR is privy to more American media and more liberals in their face screaming that all white people are racists, they may go the way of other minority groups in our country and just vote for the guys telling them everyone else is evil.

If real issues ever mattered at all in America, neither the Republicans or Democrats would be in power.

I'm not too worried either way. Every time this has come up for a vote Puerto Rico has said no to state hood. but then their own elections have never had these choices on the ballot either. I dont think the congress can force a referendum in Puerto Rico anyways.

Incidentaly, I don't opose giving Puerto Rico state hood, if they really want it. As long as they o it propperly and don't pull a Tennesee. I think they'd be foolish to give up what they have now though and most people there know this. I used to work with a bunch of seasonal workers from there and they all pretty much said the same thing..."Statehood? Are you crazy? Why would we do that?"

I don't agree. I think Obama is there because he was like a broken record, "Hope & Change" over and over and we were so sick of everything that the majority of us voted for him. I didn't because I saw his tactics and realized he talked a lot but said very little. He could have been purple with orange polka dots and still been elected president.

I have voted out incumbents for the last 20 years but it hasn't done any good. I will, however, continue to do so!

Begin to push everyone you know in your state as well as any other state you know people in, this has to be a national movement.