Statehood for Puerto Rico? The topic today on Glenn Beck
Let me throw in a few other thoughts (Glenn may get around to them)
Under today’s rules, Puerto Ricans are full citizens of the United States, but any income they derive from working in Puerto Rico is not taxed. If a Puerto Rican moves to New York City, they can go on welfare, WIC, food stamps, etc… having never paid taxes (unless they take a job working in NYC). For Social Security, if you work for 40 credits ( about $4k/year for 10 years) in NYC, you become vested in Social Security and can return to Puerto Rico and be eligible for benefits when you are 62 (or become disabled)
So if Puerto Rico becomes a full state, individuals and corporations in Puerto Rico would be subject to income tax, FICA, FUTA, etc… The state would get 2 Senators and several House members. Since Spanish is the language of Puerto Rico, does that mean official bilingualism in all federal issues?
If Puerto Rico votes to become independent, what would happen to existing Puerto Ricans? Would they then have dual citizenship, or only if they live currently in the United States – or would they be forced to choose? What happens to Puerto Ricans currently in the U.S. Military? What happens to the international boundaries and mineral rights (think Oil Wells off the coast of Puerto Rico)…. Fishing Rights?
If self-determination becomes the slogan of the day, why not let Hawaii vote? Texas? California?.
