Historical stuff

[Roy]

I read about some of the special considerations the Texans got, when they came into the Union. They got these, because Texas was a sovereign nation at the time. One thing was that they could divide the state into as many as six(?) states, without approval of the federal government.

[John Webster]

Dividing Texas into six states would have given the democrats 12 additional pro slavery senators should the abolitionists have gotten an anti slavery bill into congress.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

It is a puzzle, and long has been, to me, at least, why Puerto Rico has not become a state.

I understand there are factions on both sides of the issue in Puerto Rico (commonwealth? territory?) itself, and I do not imagine there are forces among the 50 states of the USA that are against it becoming a state. I've heard the main reason Puerto Ricans don't want to become a state is that they do not have to pay Federal income taxes as a non-state. True??

Back in the 60's when Vietnam was hot, a legend grew that their young men could not be drafted due to their not living in a state; however, they are citizens, though, so perhaps that legend was incorrect? Puerto Ricans certainly are abled to move freely into the USA from anywhere, as well as from state-to-state, of course, and they attend Public Schools in whichever state they have chosen to reside.

Furthermore, I believe their representatives in Congress cannot vote on legislation, though able to participate in discussions. Are they physically present in each chamber of the Capitol for debate and discussions?

[Rufus T. Firefly]

It is a puzzle, and long has been, to me, at least, why Puerto Rico has not become a state.

Name an excuse and I'm sure that it has been invoked at least once........ The US tried to hand it off to be an independent country at least once to follow a similar pattern as was done for the Philippines.

I understand there are factions on both sides of the issue in Puerto Rico (commonwealth? territory?) itself, and I do not imagine there are forces among the 50 states of the USA that are against it becoming a state. I've heard the main reason Puerto Ricans don't want to become a state is that they do not have to pay Federal income taxes as a non-state. True??

It is technically a commonwealth. No Federal tax on income earned in PR. Seems a bit of an odd reason to forsake being a state other than to cast vote to be an independent country.

Back in the 60's when Vietnam was hot, a legend grew that their young men could not be drafted due to their not living in a state; however, they are citizens, though, so perhaps that legend was incorrect? Puerto Ricans certainly are abled to move freely into the USA from anywhere, as well as from state-to-state, of course, and they attend Public Schools in whichever state they have chosen to reside.

It was mythology - draft of PR men was passed into law prior to WW1.

Furthermore, I believe their representatives in Congress cannot vote on legislation, though able to participate in discussions. Are they physically present in each chamber of the Capitol for debate and discussions?

Just like DC and other territories - no Senators, but non-voting representatives that can be present, but no vote so effectively powerless.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

Thank you, Rufus, for those clarifications.

[Mitch]

It is technically a commonwealth. No Federal tax on income earned in PR.

Pennsylvania is a "Commonwealth". How's come it didn't stop the Fed from hammering us yearly?

[MurphOnMillerAve]

It is technically a commonwealth. No Federal tax on income earned in PR.

Pennsylvania is a "Commonwealth". How's come it didn't stop the Fed from hammering us yearly?

So if I moved to Puerto Rico, lock stock and barrel (whatever that actually means,) would I be exempt from paying any further Federal Income Tax (no insignificant check we have to send in each year) ?

[Rufus T. Firefly]

It is technically a commonwealth. No Federal tax on income earned in PR.

Pennsylvania is a "Commonwealth". How's come it didn't stop the Fed from hammering us yearly?

Last I checked PA is also a state and 1 of the 13 originals. PR is not a state.

VA is also a commonwealth as are Kentucky and Mass...

[Rufus T. Firefly]

It is technically a commonwealth. No Federal tax on income earned in PR.

Pennsylvania is a "Commonwealth". How's come it didn't stop the Fed from hammering us yearly?

So if I moved to Puerto Rico, lock stock and barrel (whatever that actually means,) would I be exempt from paying any further Federal Income Tax (no insignificant check we have to send in each year) ?

Where does your income come from now that you are paying tax on? PR residents are exempt from Fed tax on PR income. You would also have to look into local taxes.....

[up148]

That's interesting. The PR population pays not Fed Taxes to the US, yet they want us to spend our federal dollars to take care of them after a hurricane. Sounds like having your cake and eating it too.

BH

[Rufus T. Firefly]

That's interesting. The PR population pays not Fed Taxes to the US, yet they want us to spend our federal dollars to take care of them after a hurricane. Sounds like having your cake and eating it too.

Well, the US has spent about 80 years being unable to decide what to do with PR - won't make it a state, won't cut it lose, yet remains responsible for it just like all of the other US territories - there are ~16 of them - some 5-6 inhabited.

Just another example of Gov't unable or unwilling to make a decision.

Once upon a time there were a few military bases there, but it's basically a tourist trap that's going to miss a year or 2 of income.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

The 60's.
I consider myself part of that generation, becoming a teenager and a college graduate during the 60's :

Abraham, Martin, and John.
The Tracks of My Tears
What's Goin' On?
War, What is It Good For
Groovin' ...Wheeelin'..couldn't get away too soon...
Never My Love
Monday, Monday...
Hang on Sloopy
Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me

"I can't wait forever...time won't let me..."
"I woke up this morning , you were on my mind..."
"If you miss the train I'm on, you will know that I am gone...you can hear the whistle blowing a hundred miles..."

And then there was Mrs. Kennedy having to go back to the White House, to move out, with the children.

The 60's.

[HONDO74]

The 60's.
I consider myself part of that generation, becoming a teenager and a college graduate during the 60's :
The 60's.

THE 60s
Peter, Paul and Mary - Blowing in the Wind
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ld6fAO4idaI

And I beg to differ with their song. "THE ANSWER IS NOT BLOWING IN THE WIND"

[MurphOnMillerAve]

The 60's.
I consider myself part of that generation, becoming a teenager and a college graduate during the 60's :
The 60's.

THE 60s
Peter, Paul and Mary - Blowing in the Wind
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ld6fAO4idaI

And I beg to differ with their song. "THE ANSWER IS NOT BLOWING IN THE WIND"

Agreed. Apparently, some had to learn that, huh. ( Unless one is standing down-wind of a gust of Grass being smoked. . Maybe some answers were "found" there, by some? I never did, though, always being busy getting educated and staying employed so I could craft a personal world of safety and prosperity as my answer, replete with the joy of close relationships with beloved friends.)

[HONDO74]

The 60s were kind of a rough time for our country. 1st the Cuban missile crisis, the assassination of Kennedy and the Vietnam war