On the issue of Cuban history I’d gladly take on Larry Kudlow and Arthur Laffer with “half my brain tied behind my back” (thanks Rush).
On the issue of economics, however, these expert economists would make picadillo out of me.
So on the issue of Puerto Rico’s cost to the U.S. taxpayer I’ll gladly defer to them:
“American taxpayers are subsidizing Puerto Ricans (who don’t pay income taxes) to the tune of $22 billion a year”
“Every working American family contributes $400 a year to the upkeep of Puerto Rico as a U.S. Commonwealth.”
But don’t take it from this hopeless intransigent! Instead, read the blood-boiling details yourselves, in these expert economists’ fact-filled book Pay to the Order of Puerto Rico
And for some reason, in election after election, Puerto Ricans have consistently rejected statehood.
BTW, I live in New Orleans and our family lost our home of 20 years and half our earthly possessions to Hurricane Katrina. We also evacuated in time and had paid our insurance premiums. So when conservative pundits and websites habitually bash New Orleanians collectively for “‘sittin on their ass! Waitin for the Feds to bail ’em out! etc. etc. etc.”–I don’t take it personally. I don’t regard myself as part of the group they’re deriding.
Haci que no JODAN!
Aah! Now we’re on path of a more civil discourse. ‘Welfare Queen’ is quite a difference from ‘pest hole’. Thank you. And if you want to take the debate to the economic arena, I’m doing some research right now that will throw some light on Kudlow & Laffer’s numbers and analysis, which by the way are very respectable and carry a lot of weight. We’ll see…
And for some reason, in election after election, Puerto Ricans have consistently rejected statehood.
Haha, I like the deadpan 🙂
I did not know that about Puerto Rico. Being based in
New York, I know some Puerto Rican Communists who love to bash Cuban Americans.
They never mention Puerto Rico’s ‘Welfare Queen’ status when they demand independence.
I know this is kind of futile, but I would seriously urge you guys to govern your tongue, for once. Don’t blame and alienate all Puerto Ricans with your comments on the basis of a handful of shitheads that happen to be from that island. It’s absurd.
I agree with “Spy girl” I am of PUERTO RICAN/CUBAN BACKGROUND.
WHEN AS A YOUNG MAN IN THE U.S. NAVY I PLUCKED OUT BRIGADISTAS FROM THE WATERS OF PLAYA GIRON…..
WHEN I TOOK PART IN “LA GUERRA POR LOS CAMINOS DEL MUNDO’….
WHEN I SPENT NEARLY 10 YEARS IN A FOREIGN PRISON BEARING THE TOUCH OF CUBAN LIBERTY….
NO ONE SAID TO ME THAT I WAS NOT QUALIFIED BECAUSE I HAPPENED TO BE PUERTO RICAN/CUBAN.
Any if any of you are interested……I can certainly provide you with the names of several Puerto Rican born Generals who fought in the Cuban Wars of independence. I can also give you names of Puerto Ricans were members of the Brigada 2506.
Thank you for your attention and…..VIVA CUBA LIBRE! ABAJO EL COMUNISMO ASQUEROZO!
“And for some reason, in election after election, Puerto Ricans have consistently rejected statehood…” Like Justice Alito famously said, Not True.
Last Election in 2008
Governor: PNP (Pro-Statehood Party, mostly Republicans including the Governor): 52.8%
Senate: 22 PNP out of 27 or 81.5%
House: 37 PNP out of 51 or 72.5%
Mayors: 48 PNP out of 78 or 61.5%
PIP (Partido Independentista Puertorriqueño better known as Puerto Rico Marxist Trash)
Governor: 2.04% (lost their legal franchise by not obtaining the minimum 5% required by law, meaning that as a Party, officially and legally they do not exist)
Senate: No Senators
House: No Representatives
Mayors: No Mayors
This may not mean much…or it may mean everything. You make your own conclusions. In any event, and after 110 years, at long last it seems that Puerto Rico Statehood is no longer a dream… 51st. baby!
Abelardo, I think they were referring to the plebiscitos or referendums, in which statehood never wins; but the margin between statehood and commonwealth are minimal.
In any case it is news to no one in PR or familiar with their political situation that as a commonwealth they receive more in dollars than they would as a state.