[identity profile] chron-job.livejournal.com posting in [community profile] talkpolitics
An interesting, if under reported result of last night's elections.

Puerto Rico just voted for statehood.


In a 2 part referendum, they voted for a change of status over the status quo (54% to 46%) and Statehood over 'Sovereign Free Association', or Independence (61%, over 33% and 5% respectively.)

Do you think this is likely to come to pass in the next few years? Critics say the referendum's split nature made it "confusing" to the point that it will be unconvincing to congress, but it makes perfect sense to me.

Currently people in Puerto Rico are considered citizens, but they can't vote for presidents, and they have no real voice in Congress. If they were made a state, being between Connecticut and Oklahoma in population, we'd expect them to have 5 seats in the House of Representatives, and 7 electoral votes. If they become a state, what does THAT do to your demographic calculations?

My own thought is that short term self interest will lead the Republicans in congress to hem, haw, delay, and oppose this, because of the obvious political implications. House Democrats ought to support it... both for short term political gain, and because it is in-line with both party, and, I feel, generally American, principles.

But mostly, this is just one more little pebble on the large scale that says "Republican Party, DIVERSIFY OR DIE!"

*** Edit *** 15:13
EST For those interested in the mechanics, and example of the plebiscite is on page 7 of this PDF. http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R42765.pdf

(no subject)

Date: 8/11/12 17:06 (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sophia-sadek.livejournal.com
That is not how it works. New flags will be manufactured. States that observe the MLK holiday will buy new flags. States that do not will hold off on a flag upgrade as long as possible. Here is a prototype:

Image
Edited Date: 8/11/12 17:08 (UTC)

(no subject)

Date: 8/11/12 19:49 (UTC)
From: [identity profile] telemann.livejournal.com
Only ten stripes! Heavens to Betsy, I hope they don't leave out three of the original colonies.

And that prototype is one possibility but not the only one. The president gets to approve a new flag design, I believe.

(no subject)

Date: 10/11/12 21:27 (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sophia-sadek.livejournal.com
That is not supposed to be the entire flag, only the upper left hand corner. I did not say that this was the only prototype, only a prototype.

(no subject)

Date: 10/11/12 21:31 (UTC)
From: [identity profile] telemann.livejournal.com
Yeah I know, just schooling ya.

(no subject)

Date: 8/11/12 20:39 (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rimpala.livejournal.com
Ah, I remember that, the Bush era

(no subject)

Date: 8/11/12 20:56 (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nairiporter.livejournal.com
Those haven't gone anywhere, they are still there.

(no subject)

Date: 10/11/12 21:29 (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sophia-sadek.livejournal.com
I pledge allegience to the flag
Of the unitied corporation of Earth
And to the totality for which it stands
One world, insubvertible
Without liberty or justice at all

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