Court denies Puerto Rico US vote
Oh noes!!! We are oppressing PR
Court denies Puerto Rico US vote
The US Supreme Court has rejected an attempt to give residents of the territory of Puerto Rico the right to vote in US presidential elections.
Judges threw out the appeal by a group of Puerto Ricans - the latest development in a long-running debate on the islanders' constitutional rights.
Puerto Rico, which is not a state, has been administered by the US since 1898.
Although residents cannot vote in presidential elections, they do elect a delegate to the US Congress.
However their representative does not vote, except in committees.
Attorney Gregorio Igartua, who filed the appeal, said the citizens of Puerto Rico "have been unfairly treated" for more than a century.
He complained that residents have "an inferior type of American citizenship."
Referendum
Correspondents say the argument about Puerto Rico's status is coming to a head following a report by the Bush administration into the issue.
In December, a presidential task force recommended that Congress call a referendum on the island's status as a self-governing US commonwealth.
A "Yes" vote would trigger another vote on whether to make Puerto Rico independent or the 51st US state.
Opinion polls suggest there is little support for independence. Only a few islanders voted in favour of independence in the latest of a series of referendums in 1998. However, islanders are split over whether to keep their current status or become a US state.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/h...as/4828116.stm
Published: 2006/03/21 10:15:12 GMT
© BBC MMVI
then become a state and be done with it.Attorney Gregorio Igartua, who filed the appeal, said the citizens of Puerto Rico "have been unfairly treated" for more than a century.
*admittedly this might annoy certain US business interests who use PR's status to their advantage.
PR natives don't pay US Federal Income tax but they do receive US Federal benefits such as welfare, food stamps, housing assistance, etc.
Remember: No taxation without representation.
If they want to pay the tax then they can vote.
Thats how I see. When they decide to become a state and pay taxes like the rest of us then they can vote and have their voices heard and counted. Till then they get nothing.Originally Posted by BlackRain
you forgot to mention that the vote to become a state has been defeated every time it comes up in PR...you don't want to be a state then you don't get the bennies.
I think thats fair.
The court is not denying them the vote. The U.S. Constitution is denying them the vote. Simple solution, become a state. That's been voted down 3 times in the last 20-30 years or so (although its usually a close vote).
Don't sue to get the vote when you are unwilling to do what it takes to get that vote.
Right now Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, can move anywhere else in the country and then vote if that is their choice. If they stay in P.R., they pay no federal tax but still get federal benefits and tax subsidized jobs (admittedly at lower wages).
Shouldn't we also get to vote whether or not they should be independent? Also if they would ever become independent, would that mean they all loose their citizenship with the US?
...............Opinion polls suggest there is little support for independence. Only a few islanders voted in favour of independence in the latest of a series of referendums in 1998. However, islanders are split over whether to keep their current status or become a US state.
Im saying shouldn't the rest of the USA get a vote in on that also? Im just saying hypothically. I know they dont want to leave nor become a state.
Your pulling our leg right? Do you know how quick protest against colonialism would be at hand if that was to be? Hell I bet their already drawing up protest signs after reading your post.
Silly rabbit, didn't you know the trustfund kiddies have entire warehouses of premade signs for everything from "Omgz Bush = Hitler!!!" to "Omgz stop the oppression of alien ghosts from another dimension!!!"?
I got the neocons are stealing our precious bodily fluids sign.
Well would you please give it back to the trustfund kiddies? They're threatening a love-in on my front lawn. I don't want my lawn to die from hippies with more venereal diseases than James Bond, I worked hard getting it to look good.
The PR citizens also forced the US Navy out of an essential gunnery range with the help the US Democratic Party.
This short sighted attack on the US military ended up hurting their economy because the local bases pumped $100's of millions into their pockets over the years.
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