Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
 |
 TOMMY HILFIGER MENS BLUE TRIM FIT PUERTO RICO ISLA VERDE POLO SHIRT XL NWT  US $44.99
|
 dickies mens skater limited puerto rico patch racing style shirt small big 6XL US $37.99
|
 TOMMY HILFIGER MENS BLUE WHITE SHORT SLEEVE POLO SHIRT M L XL NWT US $34.99
|
 Mens Tommy Hilfiger trim fit Polo shirt L Puerto Rico US $33.24
|
 Mens Tommy Hilfiger trim fit Polo shirt S Puerto Rico US $33.24
|
 Puerto Rico Flag World Cup Soccer Ball Olympics Sports Retro Mens Thermal US $26.95
|
 Puerto Rico Flag Crest Soccer World Cup Olympics National Pride Mens Thermal US $26.95
|
 Puerto Rico Retro Varsity Script Baseball World Cup Soccer Olympics Mens Thermal US $26.95
|
 Puerto Rico Classic Varsity Script World Cup Soccer Olympics Mens Baseball Shirt US $26.95
|
 Steve Barrys Puerto Rico Baseball Style Jersey Shirt sz XL X Large US $25.00
|
 NEW PUERTO RICO DRAKO Sports SHIRT ONE SIZE De Futbol US $24.99
|
 Hurley Guys One Only Puerto Rico Tee Heather Black Choose Size US $24.99
|
 dickies mens skater puerto rico patch shirt small 4XL US $23.99
|
 Puerto Rico Country Colors Nationality Ethnic Pride Mens Thermal US $23.95
|
GR 2499 Calls For A Puerto Rico Vote – Puerto Rico Statehood
The US Natural Resources Committee moved to bring HR 2499 to the house floor- a bill that regards Puerto Rico statehood. HR 2499 isn’t actually a vote for Puerto Rico statehood but does require a vote to be taken. Statehood is a possible outcome of the vote. So why is the statehood of Puerto Rico is a contentious issue? Tax debt is something it has to do with, autonomy also, and questions of representation.
Puerto Rico Statehood history
The history of the question of Puerto Rico statehood goes back many years. While Puerto Rico was colonized by the Spanish, it became a United States colony in 1898 during the Spanish-American war. The Foraker Act created a civilian government, separate judicial system and nonvoting member of the United States congress in 1900. In 1917, all Puerto Ricans became U.S. citizens. In 1947, Puerto Rico was officially made a commonwealth - not quite Puerto Rico statehood, but not an independent nation. Instead, residents of Puerto Rico are U.S. Citizens without voting representation in Congress or the necessity of giving instant money to the IRS.
HR 2499: A vote on Puerto Rico statehood
Puerto Rico statehood has to be voted on by a national vote because of the HR bill in the House of Representatives as a fourth plebiscite. The other three plebiscites held have not come out strongly for or against Puerto Rico statehood. The pro-statehood and pro-commonwealth parties in Puerto Rico have about equal support, and the pro-independence party has about 5 percent support. HR 2499 would be the first congressionally-sanctioned plebiscite about Puerto Rico statehood.
Vote for Puerto Rico statehood
There would be two votes if HR 2499, the bill raising the question of Puerto Rico statehood, is passed. First, a vote will be held on the question "Should Puerto Rico maintain its present political status.". If the majority of votes are "no" on that question, a second vote would be held. Three options would actually be offered for the second vote:
- Independence which means that a separate nation will be made by breaking ties between US and Puerto Rico
- Associated Sovereignty – ties are maintained with the US while eliminating US citizenship and Territorial Clause controls of Puerto Rico
- Puerto Rico Statehood which would make Puerto Rico a 51st state of the US, with two US senators, eight presidential electoral votes, and six congressmen.
There are good arguments for and against the statehood of Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico statehood would offer equal representation to a group of people subject to federal laws say some. Others, however, will argue that Puerto Rico statehood would break up much of the unique and balanced system that has developed over the last 50 years. What is your opinion?
Resources
HR2499.org
http://www.hr2499.org/
PR Statehood.com
http://www.prstatehood.com/news/HR2499CommitteePassage_0809.asp
No Puerto Rico Statehood.com
http://www.nopuertoricostatehood.com/
Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Rico#Commonwealth
Globetrotting on the Cheap!! Puerto Rico - June 2011 (Part 1)