As a citizen of the United States - by the birth of my parents and
myself - unless Puerto Rico begin paying US federal taxes in exchange
for the US taxpayer funded benefits they received - Food Stamps,
Supplemental Security Income, etc., etc., etc. - I am totally for
Puerto Rico supporting itself and determining their own destiny.
Actually, I am in favor of them determining their own destiny in any
case - they just seem to be taking a long time doing it.
If they elected to become a US state, that would require equal
representation - at least one member or more in the US House of
Representatives and at least one member or more in the US Senate - as
do the other 50 states. That was what kicking the British out of the
Colonies was all about was back culminating about 1776?
Yes, I am all for Puerto Rico determining their own destiny - and
paying fully the costs of self-determination.
But, in Puerto Rico, when the issue is put to a vote, it never seems
to get enough votes? What are they unwilling to give up?
They already own part of New York City and some other metropolitan
areas - not in Puerto Rico.
In future discussions of these very political topics, please, if you
take a position, also please identify your birth right affiliation in
relationship to the regions about which one is commenting.
It does make a difference - so easy to pontificate about that in which
one has no real involvement?
Puerto Rico is, from my visits, a very wonderful place. I imagine the
tourists pay a fair price for visiting.
But are those with a "birth right" in Puerto Rico actually paying for
all the benefits they receive? I do hope they realize this is a
significant issue and wish to - universally - take on that
responsibility. I would applaud such an independent action on the part
of the majority - with a birth right in Puerto Rico. Just give back
Coca-Cola, Hardees, McDonalds - stop accepting Food Stamps, WIC, SSI
and the rest, and probably people with a birth right in they US will
continue to visit as tourists and pay outlandish costs for this
privilege. US citizens can then even bring their Passports and first
request a Visa.
As for Panama, the Canal was very old and generated less income than
it took to maintain. I knew US citizens that spent most of their
careers there, and it was very traumatic when they no longer ran the
place. But they survived.
And the citizens of Panama inherited something they still run today.
Not sure if they had it to do all over again the citizens of Panama
would want the Canal in their country, but I can't "undo" that for
them. I spent a bit of time there. Democrat, Republican,
Independent - the "colonial" period of the US is fading. Even the
property in the Philippines has reverted to ownership and control of
that government. And the vast sums of "rental" monies have ceased
flowing to them.
Even the small island of Vieques off Puerto Rico is an issue still?
Puerto Rico should determine their own destiny - and pay for it, in my
humble opinion.
The US also took Hawaii (Hawai'i) in a small action where less than a
platoon of US Marines that happened to be on a ship in the harbor - at
the request of some US Citizens (not the least of whom was Mr. Dole) -
simply put their queen under "house arrest" - and took control of
politics (and land, and ...).. The US Congress needed years to deal
with that. Imagine, civilians taking over a country and not asking
permission!!! What audacity. Seems it happened in North America
several times?
Hawaii (Hawai'i) eventually became a US state. But today there is a
very vocal movement to return it to what it was - a monarchy - or do
they actually want a monarchy? I am uncertain. But the movement does
want it to be spelled Hawai'i (not Hawaii).
Self-determination is an ultimate issue.
Just identify your "birth right" when you address that of others -
please. It will help me to sort out what is probably your bias (we all
have them) and better understand your arguments.
As for citizens (by birth right) of the UK, isn't there some vestiges
of their Colonial era sill in the Caribbean and off the southern end
of South America - just in that hemisphere? Seems the US had to fly
military down to the Falklands to help "defend" those interests. Hope
we don't have our debts to the UK called in to invade the UK's
remaining vestiges of their Colonial era in the Caribbean.
And who gave away Hong Kong. Oh! That was a "lease" - not a give
away. Now I am less confused.
Warm regards,
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Wayne Neighbors, Ph.D.
President, Vee Ring Ltd
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http://anthro.org/index.htm
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