Puerto Rican Statehood Bill Picks Up Steam

It is interesting, that during a time when our economy is drowning in debt, that the Senate would make this issue, one that has been around for a long time, a priority. What a shocker! Too late for November 2010, but maybe they can squeeze it in by 2012. When you understand that Reid and his Democrat Senators are in trouble and looking for all the votes they can get, then you realize their panic.

In the past Puerto Rican citizens have voted against statehood 3 times. But surprise, surprise, the legislation is rigged in favor of statehood.

Can we really trust legislators that would manipulate citizens in order to retain their seats of power?

Excerpt: Puerto Rican Statehood

Legislation providing Puerto Rico an avenue to statehood picked up steam last week in the U.S. Senate. Last Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources conducted a hearing on H.R. 2499, the Puerto Rican Democracy Act. The House passed this legislation last month 223-169 after adding an amendment to allow the people of Puerto Rico more options on what they want for the future of Puerto Rico—to retain commonwealth status or to opt for statehood, independence or sovereign association with the United States. Senate action on this legislation may come later this year.

One problem with the legislation is that it rigs a vote of the Puerto Rican people in favor of statehood. The House-passed legislation authorizes Puerto Rico to have a vote on whether the people want to retain the present form of political status or a different political status.

Most analysts agree that the people of Puerto Rico have concerns about the current status. If the vote on change passes, then the Puerto Ricans will have another vote and be provided four choices on the future of the Puerto Rican government. Under this complicated scenario, it’s possible that statehood could be ratified in the second vote by a mere plurality.

Another problem with this legislation is that residency requirements are waived to boost participation in these votes. The act allows people born in Puerto Rico who have relocated to the United States to vote in these plebiscites. The final results of these votes may be distorted, and Puerto Ricans who don’t live there given a greater say than they deserve. This legislation eliminates the traditional voting requirement that people vote where they have a residence and where they intend to reside.

When Alaska and Hawaii voted for statehood, the populations voted overwhelmingly in favor of full statehood, yet the people of Puerto Rico have three times rejected the idea of statehood. Conservatives support the idea of statehood for Puerto Rico, but only if the people who actually live there want it, want it with a supermajority, and the American people consent to add a new state.

This article also has a piece on Rand Paul's victory in Kentucky and the effect of the Tea Party movement on the primaries.

It also comments on the attempt by the EPA to "backdoor" regulations that would, in effect, set cap & tax in motion. Read Heritage article here.