Thread: URGENT-MUST ACT:Puerto Rico Statehood-Progressive Plan

Everyone needs to call their Reps by tomorrow morning before they vote. Tell them to vote no on this bill!

Faxing and e-mailing....fill the voice mails tonight!!!

What Would Statehood for Puerto Rico Mean - the Need For Facts

Fact Sheets on the Hawaii/Alaska Precedent, Federal Spending, Reapportionment,
and English as the Official Language

The House of Representatives is expected to soon vote on H.R. 2499, the Puerto Rico Democracy Act. This bill would provide for a two-step vote process in Puerto Rico on their future political status, including the option of becoming the nation's 51st state. Puerto Rico is able to conduct its own local plebiscite or referendum, as they have done three times in the past, yet this bill specifically seeks to provide a Congressionally-sanctioned vote. If Congress is going to ask Puerto Rico if they want to become a state, as H.R. 2499 does, then Congress has an obligation to understand in advance what statehood would mean to both Puerto Rico and the existing 50 states. However, that information is not being discussed despite an imminent vote on H.R. 2499, nor is much information on the implications of statehood for Puerto Rico even publicly available. These Fact Sheets are an effort to provide some of this information for the consideration of Representatives and the public.


THE ALASKA & HAWAII PRECEDENT
Does H.R. 2499 follow precedent on how Alaska and Hawaii were admitted as states?

No, it doesn't.

Alaska and the Hawaii were the last two states admitted to the Union, and are the only two non-contiguous states. Both states followed a similar process to achieving statehood.

First, in some manner, each conducted its own local plebiscite/referendum of residents on statehood - and both passed with strong majorities. It was then, after the self-initiated request for statehood, that Congress responded. Congress then wrote and passed an Admissions Act that articulated and dictated the conditions and requirements for statehood. For both Alaska and Hawaii, the Admissions Acts included a straightforward ballot to be put to a vote of residents that included the question: "Shall Alaska/Hawaii immediately be admitted into the Union as a State?" 83% of Alaskans cast votes in favor, and 94% of Hawaiians voted in favor.

The process for both Alaska and Hawaii involved self-initiated local votes with strong majorities expressing the desire to become a state, and only then Congress passing an Admissions Act laying out what statehood would mean, which included a Congressionally-sanctioned and directed vote of residents on accepting or rejecting statehood. The responses were overwhelming majorities

In H.R. 2499, this process is backwards.

Despite the fact that Puerto Rico could conduct its own local plebiscite as did Alaska and Hawaii, a Congressionally-sanctioned vote is sought first. This vote is not a straightforward question on statehood, but rather a complicated two-step process. Furthermore, Congress is asking Puerto Rico in this complicated way if it wishes to be a state without a clear understanding of the implications of statehood and conditions that would be required to join the Union. In addition, the two-step process creates a situation where a mere plurality could choose statehood as the "winner", receiving as low as 34% of the vote.

BOTTOM-LINE: H.R. 2499 deviates strongly from the precedent and process used to admit Alaska and Hawaii as states. If a Congressionally-sanctioned plebiscite is sought first in a manner directly contrary to the Alaska and Hawaii precedent, as H.R. 2499 does, then Congress has an obligation to at the very least ensure there is an open, thorough understanding of what statehood would mean to Puerto Rico and the existing 50 states - but that is not at all happening in the House.


FEDERAL SPENDING

What would statehood cost taxpayers in increased federal spending in Puerto Rico?

Without question, statehood would result in higher federal expenditures in Puerto Rico - the real question is how much in higher spending? Regrettably, the answer is not specifically known. Despite a written request to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), they have not provided an up-to-date analysis of the cost of statehood. A similar request to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on the costs to these two programs was also not answered. It is important to note that the CBO analysis provided in the bill report relates only to the cost of conducting the vote process in Puerto Rico.

In an effort to quantify the costs, Committee staff reviewed information by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). Through information compiled from these sources on the spending of just ten federal programs (see chart), the cost per year is estimated to be at least $4.5-7.7 billion. When all the costs of every federal program are calculated, the cost would clearly be significantly higher.

Some of the increased spending in Puerto Rico would result in higher overall spending, and some programs have a formula for dividing a set amount of money amongst the states, which means that adding a 51st state would result in less money going to the existing 50 states.

Wouldn't the increased spending be offset with increased tax collection from Puerto Rico? It is true that residents of Puerto Rico currently do not pay federal income tax on income earned in Puerto Rico. However, it is not known how much would be collected in such taxes. If Puerto Rico were to become a state, it would rank as the poorest in the nation and have the lowest percentage of its population in the workforce. Puerto Rico's personal income per capita is $14,237-by comparison, Mississippi, the nation's current poorest state, has a personal income per capita of $30,399 resulting in only 43% of Mississippi residents paying federal income taxes.


BOTTOM-LINE: While the annual cost of statehood for Puerto Rico is at a bare minimum $4-7 billion per year, how much a new state would cost in higher spending and how much in new taxes would be collected shouldn't be the determining factor in whether statehood is granted. Yet it is absolutely information that Congress should have before voting on this bill. If Congress is going to ask Puerto Rico if they want to be a state, which is what H.R. 2499 does, then Congress has a duty to understand beforehand what that means and what it will cost the taxpayers and existing states. This information could be calculated and made available, but that is not being done. Without this information, H.R. 2499 should not be passed.

REAPPORTIONING HOUSE SEATS

How would Statehood for Puerto Rico affect the apportionment of House seats?

According to a report by the Congressional Research Service (CRS), if Puerto Rico were to become a state, based on a population of approximately 4 million, they would be entitled to six seats in the House of Representatives. As a state, they would, of course, receive two Senators.

The current number of 435 seats in the House of Representatives was set by the Apportionment Act of 1911. For nearly a century, the permanent number of seats hasn't changed.

If Puerto Rico were to become a state, Congress would either have to:

1. Reapportion the 435 seats by giving six to Puerto Rico and subtracting seats from other states;

2. Temporarily increase the size of the House until the next reapportionment following the next census; or

3. Permanently increase the size of the House.

Based on current information, a CRS report projects that the states that could lose an existing seat or not receive an expected additional seat after the 2010 Census in order to provide six of 435 seats to Puerto Rico include: Arizona, Missouri, New York, South Carolina, Texas and Washington.

BOTTOM-LINE: If Congress is going to ask Puerto Rico if they want to be a state, as H.R. 2499 does, then Congress has an obligation to address, in advance, the question of apportioning House seats. The public deserves to know whether their state could lose representation to provide six of 435 House seats to Puerto Rico, or whether their proposed solution is that the nation needs more Members of Congress than it has today.

ENGLISH AS THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

Should English be the Official Language of Puerto Rico?

In 1998 when the House of Representatives last debated a Puerto Rico bill similar to H.R. 2499, the most contentious issue was whether English should be the official language if Puerto Rico were to become a state.

Currently, both Spanish and English are official languages in Puerto Rico. However, as a practical matter, Puerto Rico is predominately Spanish-speaking. Spanish is used in the State Legislature, local courts, businesses and in schools.

During the 1998 debate, an amendment on the issue of English as the official language was allowed to be offered on the House Floor. It is not known whether House Democrat leaders will allow a vote on a true English as the official language amendment during debate on H.R. 2499.

During Committee markup of H.R. 2499 in July 2009, an amendment to make English the official language under Puerto Rico statehood was defeated along a party-line vote.

During our history, the matter of the English language was addressed during the admission of other states into the Union, including Arizona, Louisiana, Oklahoma and New Mexico. Today, there are 30 states with official English language laws.

BOTTOM-LINE: If Congress is going to ask Puerto Rico if they want to be a state, as H.R. 2499 does, then Congress has an obligation to address, in advance, the question of whether English would be the state's official language. That is the fair and responsible approach for both the residents of the existing 50 states and the people of Puerto Rico.

# # #
House Natural Resources Committee Republican Press Office

http://republicans.resourcescommittee.house.gov

(quote)
Glenn Beck: Puerto Rican Statehood Ahead?

April 28, 2010 - 23:48 ET


Watch "Glenn Beck" weekdays at 5 p.m. ET on Fox News Channel
I want to talk to you about the fundamental transformation of America. It could happen tomorrow.

But first, you have to understand progressives. What is it that progressives believe?

• Big government, power and control: It's not about Democrats or Republicans, people. It's power and control. You can't choose for yourself. You're too dumb, so progressives will choose and regulate everything for you

• Democratic elections: This is important to progressives. You'll hear it "democratically elected" to refer to leaders like Hitler, Chavez and Castro — all democratically elected

• Social justice: Collective redemption through the government: Call it socialism, Marxism, whatever — it's all about the redistribution of wealth

Now, I want to talk to you about Puerto Rico. Understand: This is not about Hispanics. It's not about freedom. It's about power and control.

Puerto Rico is a self-governing commonwealth, but is subject to U.S. jurisdiction and sovereignty. It's been a U.S. territory since after the Spanish-American War of 1898. They're not an independent country. It's similar to Guam, the Virgin Islands and American Samoa. Some people like it, others don't; they get to enjoy many of the benefits of America — like protection — and they don't have to pay any taxes. That's a pretty sweet deal.

So it's no wonder "the people" have consistently voted against becoming America's 51st state; three times since 1967 — the latest in 1998. It's always been the same question: Do you want to be a state?

Now, let's take you to Washington, where there's important vote happening: HR 2499 — it's called "The Puerto Rico Democracy Act." Gosh darn it, who could be against that? The bill is a non-binding resolution, supposedly to support Puerto Rico's "self-determination" on if they want to be a state or not.

That's so cute. Wait, I thought they already had a right to vote? They do. So I'm left with the question: Why do they need a non-binding resolution to support their self-determination? Is there something going on that I'm not aware of that is so important that we need to take attention away from the economy or immigration?

We've asked some of the Republicans in Congress who are supporting this bill and here are some of the answers:

"This is a vote about freedom."

"This vote does not grant Puerto Rico statehood, it simply gives Puerto Ricans the right to determine if statehood is something they want for themselves."

See, I thought they already had that. Three times they voted on that. It's almost like something else is going on. But remember, they keep telling me it's "non-binding."

If I just trusted progressives. With progressives, democratic elections always comes with a trick. For instance, Hitler was democratically elected. But as the chancellor, not the furor. Whether it be through parliamentary tricks or corruption, it's important to progressives to have the appearance of "the republic." Remember: They went through the democratic process for health care.

So what's the trick?

HR 2499 — if it passes — would force a yes or no vote in Puerto Rico on whether Puerto Rico should maintain the "current status" of the island. Wait, that's not a vote on statehood. That's a vote on do you want to "maintain the status quo."

Let me ask you this: Do you want to maintain the status quo of America? ACORN's Bertha Lewis would agree with me and say no, I don't want our current direction. But we would disagree on the reasons why.

See the trick?

In the past, statehood fails because some people like the status quo, some want to be a state and some want to be independent. There are too many choices, too many options. They need to unite people. Do you want to maintain the status quo unites them, not on the answer but on the question.

See, the folks that like the status quo are more likely to vote for statehood than independence.

In 1998, there were five options on the ballot: Limited self-government; free association; statehood; sovereignty and none of the above. Which one won? None of the above.

But now, the vote is going to happen in two stages. The first stage: Do you want to maintain the status quo? Then a chair is removed. The second vote leaves you with three choices: statehood; full independence or modified commonwealth.

Remember, full independence and modified commonwealth historically get less than 3 percent of the vote. So those options will be the only thing standing in the way of Puerto Rico becoming a state.

But Glenn, it's non-binding. Big deal!

True, but here's where if you don't know history, you are destined to repeat it. Let me introduce something to you called the Tennessee Plan. (This is probably going to sound like a conspiracy theory, but I have one thing the conspiracy theories never have.)

OK — so the Tennessee Plan, you've probably never heard of it unless you are from Tennessee or Alaska. Apparently, some of those who took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution haven't heard of it either. When Tennessee first came to the Union, it had a different name; it was first called "Territory of the United States South of the River Ohio." It was a U.S. territory, just like Puerto Rico is now.

But instead of waiting for Congress to decide if they wanted to make the territory a state, they took a different, bold route: They forced the issue themselves:

• They elected delegates for Congress

• They voted on statehood

• They drafted a state constitution

• And applied for statehood

• Then, when Congress dragged their feet, they went to the Capitol and demanded to be seated

Congress was unsure of how to proceed; this was the first territory going for statehood. They relented and Tennessee became America's 16th state. Alaska did many of the same things.

Again, the Tennessee plan in a nutshell:

• Unsuccessfully petitioning Congress for admission

• Drafting a state constitution without prior congressional intervention

• Holding state elections for state officers, U.S. senators and representatives

• In some cases, sending the entire congressional delegation to Washington to demand statehood and claim their seats

• Finally, Congress has little choice but to admit a new state through the passage of a simple act of admission

Congressmen, voting for HR 2499 are like sheep being led to slaughter. They'll say the people of Puerto Rico have a right to vote for themselves. They'll vote yes. The progressives will then present a false choice to the people. Instead of saying "do you want to be a state?" it's "do you want the status quo?" If voters vote no, the next vote removes the status quo from the ballot, leaving statehood against two far less popular options. They'll vote yes for statehood. Then they'll elect their congressman and senators, they'll demand to be seated and a 51st star will be attached to the flag.

How could this happen? Look at the immigration debate. What are Arizona and Texas being called? Racists. Anyone opposing Puerto Rico as state 51 would be called a hatemonger. Why do you hate Puerto Ricans so much? Why do you hate freedom?

This is not about Hispanics or freedom or sovereignty. It's about power and control. If progressives convince Hispanics that everyone besides progressives are racist, you'll have their vote for 60 years. But it's more than that.

Why are Democrats and Republicans for this? Because it's not about Republicans and Democrats. The progressives in our country know that this is the moment they've been waiting for; every Marxist daydream they've ever had, now is their time to get it done. They are not going to let it pass.

That's what's happening: The fundamental transformation of America. And this is only the beginning.

I told that this sounds like a conspiracy theory. But who is orchestrating this effort in Puerto Rico? Lo and behold, the New Progressive Party; from their own party platform:

"The New Progressive Party adopts the Tennessee Plan as an additional strategy for the decolonization and the claim for the admission of Puerto Rico as the 51st State of the United States of America."

And: "This shall be done through legislation which will establish a process for the adoption and ratification of the Constitution of the State of Puerto Rico, and the election of two senators and six federal congresspersons to appear before Congress in Washington D.C. to claim their seats and the admission of Puerto Rico as the 51st State of the United States of America."

They're going to paint this as a vote for freedom, but Puerto Rico has already voted and they've already spoken. When they send the delegates to Washington, if you stand against this you'll be labeled a racist.

(quote)

http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articl ... 198/39780/

VIDEO: http://video.foxnews.com/v/4170665/the-one-thing-428

John 14:27 (King James Version)
It is written,... Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

(quote)

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Rigging an Election in Puerto Rico [Hans A. von Spakovsky]
I have to profoundly disagree with Alex Castellanos and agree with Ramesh Ponnuru on the Puerto Rico plebiscite bill. I have been working in elections for two decades, and there is no question in my mind that H.R. 2499, the Puerto Rico Democracy Act scheduled for a vote tomorrow in the House, is rigged to foist an unwanted and unsolicited 51st state on Americans.

Contrary to Castellanos’ claim, there is nothing “vagueâ€

(quote)



Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Stealth Statehood [Naomi Lopez Bauman]

Alex Castellanos’ post discussing the Puerto Rico Democracy Act (HR 2499) correctly points out that “the principles of democracy, inclusiveness, and self-determination belong to all U.S. citizens.â€

(quote)

DePosada: Puerto Rico’s ‘Nuclear Option’ On Statehood

April 20, 2010

By Robert G. DePosada
Special to Roll Call

Imagine that a majority of Quebec’s citizens, fed up with being part of Canada, voted to become the United States’ 51st state. Then, without the consent of Congress, the French-speaking province brazenly proceeded to elect U.S. Senators and a dozen U.S. Representatives and send them to Washington, D.C., to demand their seats in Congress.
Imagine that the Quebeckers also insisted on speaking French and let it be known that they expected the U.S. to transform itself into an officially bilingual nation like the one that they left behind. I don’t think it would take Americans long to tell the uninvited guests to pack their bags and scram — in blunt Anglo-Saxon English!

Americans are blissfully unaware that something like that hypothetical scenario could start unfolding this fall. The main differences are that it would take place in Puerto Rico, a Caribbean island located more than a thousand miles to our south, rather than a province to our north, and the language involved would be Spanish, not French.

The rabidly pro-statehood New Progressive Party, known by its Spanish acronym, PNP, controls both the governor’s office and the Legislature in the self-governing U.S. Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Frustrated to the point of apoplexy that Puerto Ricans have rejected statehood and voted to remain a U.S. commonwealth in all three elections in which they have voted on the issue, PNP leaders have decided to exert their one-party control of Puerto Rico’s government to implement their own version of the “nuclear option.â€

Action Alert

Take Action The House votes around 2:00 PM TODAY. Call your Representative NOW and tell him to vote NO on H.R. 2499!
April 29, 2010


A few hours remain for you to light up phones to stop the stealth Puerto Rican statehood bill! We alerted you at the beginning of the week that the House would vote on the Puerto Rico Democracy Act (H.R. 2499) - a bill that rigs the referendum process to favor Puerto Rico being admitted as the 51st state - but, there is still time to get your phone calls into your representative's office!

This issue was put in the national spotlight yesterday, when national news radio and TV host Glenn Beck sounded the alarm on the stealth Puerto Rican statehood lobby and explained why this bill must be voted down and defeated today on the House floor:


LISTEN to Glenn Beck interview Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) on Puerto Rican statehood and the Fundamental Transformation of America

WATCH Glenn Beck discuss Puerto Rico, power, and control on his FOXNews show



TAKE ACTION!


This an information-only alert, so we ask that you take a few moments today to pick up the phone and CALL your representative and tell him to VOTE NO on H.R. 2499 today! Just a few hundred calls into the key target offices will bring down this bill! This vote will be close, so it is critical that your elected officials hear from their constituents. Even though it may not seem so, phone calls and constituent input does matter, especially to this list of Republicans.

Please check this list of target Republican Members of Congress to see if your representative is listed. If so, call them!

In addition, the following Republicans also need grassroots pressure to vote NO:
-Just click on their name and their contact information will appear.

Boustany (LA)
Brown-Waite (FL)
Castle (DE)
Dent (PA)
Diaz-Balart, Lincoln (FL)
Diaz-Balart, Mario (FL)
LaTourette (OH)
McCarthy (CA)
Mica (FL)
Miller (MI)
Nunes (CA)
Paul (TX)
Posey (FL)
Rogers (AL)
Ros-Lehtinen (FL)
Smith (NJ)
Terry (NE)
Walden (OR)
Young (AK)


Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121 begin_of_the_skype_highlightingÂ*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â *Â*Â*Â*Â*(202) 224-3121Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*end_of_the_skype_highlighting
or (866) 220-0044

http://www.capwiz.com/eagleforum/issues ... 36&type=CU

LETS CALL CALL CALL!!!! TOGETHER WE CAN DO THIS!

I think this is a good idea. Colonial empires are a thing of the past and we should directly integrate all six insular areas (DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, US Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands) into the United States. Residents of US insular areas are American citizens the same as the rest of us and they deserve voting representation in the House and Senate and the right to vote in presidential elections.