Immigration and the Constitution Party

[Sojourner]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' date='Oct 4 2005, 06:59 AM']Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the US. Puerto Ricans are US citizens.
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Yep. Puerto Rico is actually in a pretty cushy position -- don't have to pay federal taxes, but can avail themselves of federal benefits.

But they don't count as immigrants. If I remember right (and I don't have time to look this up right now) the U.S. has seven territories including Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and others I can't remember off the top.

[Jaime]

[quote name='Sojourner' date='Oct 4 2005, 07:57 AM']

. If I remember right (and I don't have time to look this up right now) the U.S. has seven territories including Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and others I can't remember off the top.
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I think one is Indiana

[Sojourner]

I only wish I didn't have to pay federal taxes. My life would be a lot less complicated.

[homeschoolmom]

[quote name='Sojourner' date='Oct 4 2005, 07:57 AM']Yep. Puerto Rico is actually in a pretty cushy position -- don't have to pay federal taxes, but can avail themselves of federal benefits.
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True. But they can't vote in federal elections.

[homeschoolmom]

[quote name='hot stuff' date='Oct 4 2005, 08:03 AM']I think one is Indiana
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I thought Ohio annexed Indiana...

[Sojourner]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' date='Oct 4 2005, 08:12 AM']True. But they can't vote in federal elections.
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There is that.

[Sojourner]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' date='Oct 4 2005, 08:13 AM']I thought Ohio annexed Indiana...
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There has been no annexation of Indiana that I know of. Perhaps we'll find out about it later today, though ...

[SarahB]

My bad. But the fact remains that I could point out that same situation in 2 other families I know. Both not from this country. Both making more than I do. And both getting benefits that I can't get. Or my mom for that matter. Once my dad died and my mom became a widow, *poof* We lost his income so we can't afford to go to the doctor or get medicine, but she makes too much to get any benefits because she works and gets money from Social Security from my dad.

But anyway.... there have been attempts in the past for Puerto Rico to be self governing. Attempts made by the Puerto Rican officials. I think they ought to be self governed. There's no reason we should have any control over them, Guam, etc except that now they're probably so dependant on us that it would be difficult to leave them alone.

And I looked into it a little bit, just quickly. Basically, they're citizens, but they don't enjoy all the benefits and rights. Also, the Supreme Court ruled that the relationship with an unincorporated commonwealth(such as Puerto Rico would be since they are a commonwealth but do not have statehood) should be temporary. We should either make them a state, or let them out on their own. They can't vote in our Presidential elections, and the right to vote is supposed to be right up there with breathing. Yet, they are not allowed. Basically, they're second class citizens. We'll let them be called citizens, but we won't allow them to make any decisions. They don't have any real representation in the Senate or the House, they can't vote for President.....some form of citizenship. They need to get themselves a Patrick Henry.

[homeschoolmom]

Never mind. Changed my mind.