51st State

[OneFootInTheGrave]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703339304575240531420991708.html?mod=WSJ_latestheadlines

Puerto Rico, a self-governing commonwealth whose residents are U.S. citizens, has already voted three times (1967, 1993 and 1998) against becoming the 51st U.S. state. But Congressional Democrats, hoping to add to their numbers in Congress, keep pushing for statehood. Late last month, the House voted 223 to 169 to begin yet another attempt to have the island join the union.

The latest bill would require Puerto Ricans first to vote on whether to continue their commonwealth status. If a majority vote for a change, the people would then be presented with a range of choices, including statehood, full independence, the status quo or some kind of loose association with the mainland.

not without baggage

This kind of blatant rigging of the political system provoked opposition from several Puerto Ricans serving in Congress, but the Democratic leadership under Nancy Pelosi rammed it through anyway. With statehood would come two new U.S. Senators and perhaps half a dozen new House members. In a closely divided nation, Puerto Rican statehood is clearly seen by Democrats as an insurance policy to protect their long-term control of Congress.

what other state would be a better choice?

[RGBVideo]

all right, let's get the obvious option (the one we're all thinking of) out of the way: the uk

serious suggestions: washington DC, guam

With statehood would come two new U.S. Senators and perhaps half a dozen new House members. In a closely divided nation, Puerto Rican statehood is clearly seen by Democrats as an insurance policy to protect their long-term control of Congress.

this is really low, and I hope for the sake of Americans that it won't pass. ramming through constitutional reforms just in the hope of getting more votes for your party is a sure way to flush your country down the toilet. reforms such as this should have bipartisan consensus, otherwise the other party will push even more horrible "reforms" when the pendulum swings their way and they gain control. can you imagine texas as four states, each with 2 senators?

[Kontiki]

The most realistic state to divide is probably California into north and south. Each part has more than enough of an economy and infrastructure to be viable on its own. It would probably lead to more Democratic senators as well.

Or, just nuke Texas off the map and go down to 49 states. That undoubtably helps the country more in the short- and long-term.

[MikeH]

Canada, Mexico and Iraq.

[Ben Kenobi]

this is really low, and I hope for the sake of Americans that it won't pass. ramming through constitutional reforms just in the hope of getting more votes for your party

Hey this is the age of Obama. Do you think he cares about the constitution? It was written by dead crackers.

[Wernazuma III]

Sicily.

[OneFootInTheGrave]

Guam

They'd get 1/2 senator.

[C0ckney]

which half?

[ColdWizard]

which half?

Bottom half. Politicians don't need the top in order to talk.

[duke o' york]

Why would you want a 51st state? Surely the point of American government is that you get to control the world without them having a say in what happens.

[DaShi]

We need the illusion of democracy.

[Wezil]

Canada, Mexico and Iraq.

It took four posts to get here?!

You guys are slipping.

[ColdWizard]

Alberta

[Hauldren Collider]

The most realistic state to divide is probably California into north and south. Each part has more than enough of an economy and infrastructure to be viable on its own. It would probably lead to more Democratic senators as well.

Or, just nuke Texas off the map and go down to 49 states. That undoubtably helps the country more in the short- and long-term.

Oh, you're brilliant! Increase the power of the people who agree with me while simultaneously decreasing the power of the people who don't? Obviously getting rid of that pesky opposition will help the country in the short and long term. God bless democracy! You are so inspired. Go sit in a corner.

[David Floyd]

Yes, Puerto Rico would likely - initially at least - be a Democratic stronghold. Of course the Dems want to make it a State.

Potentially even worse, though, imagine the amount of money that we would end up spending in Puerto Rico.