Have a look at the 51 star flag - just in case...

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
11/13/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Puerto Rico wants to become a state, will it happen?

Puerto Rico will petition the U.S. government for statehood, but the measure isn't likely to pass. While the territory could generate billions in revenues, it will also prove a costly acquisition.

This is what the new flag may look like if Puerto Rico becomes a state. Go ahead, count the stars, we already did.

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WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - Puerto Rico has had a difficult history. The island hasn't enjoyed independence in 500 years, despite enjoying a unique culture and a desirable spot in the Caribbean which makes it popular with East coast tourists.

A week ago, Puerto Ricans, who are American citizens, went to the polls to vote and cast a ballot on a referendum that would set Puerto Rico on the path to statehood. That referendum passed with a majority saying they would like to end the territory's commonwealth status and become the 51st state.

There are advantages to both sides. If Puerto Rico becomes a state, then the U.S. economy could benefit from an estimated $22 billion in additional revenues. However, the state would become the poorest state in the union with almost half of its population living below the poverty line. These people would become available for social services including welfare assistance, which would be costly to the federal government.

Puerto Rico would also change the delicate balance in Congress adding six representatives to the House and two Senators.

However, history does not suggest statehood is likely for Puerto Rico. While the island has helped the U.S. solidify its hegemony in the region and helped export a capitalist message to communist Cuba and other states in the region, the island has also become a hotbed for drug trafficking and murder.

Historically, petitions from the territory have been denied. Already, politicians are searching reasons to deny the coming proposal. The strongest argument running is the two-question format of the ballot referendum. The referendum asked two questions, the first is Puerto Rico should abolish its commonwealth status with the U.S. The second question asked what the alternative should be, between independence, free association, and statehood.

Fifty -two percent of voters called for an end to the commonwealth status. Sixty-one percent said they'd like to become a state. This outcome has proved puzzling, since more people chose to become a state than to end commonwealth status.

Critics say the questions should have been asked on two different ballots during two different elections.

Nonetheless, the people of Puerto Rico have spoken. They do want statehood.

However, in what must be a relief for American flag designers, they're unlikely to get it.

� 2012, Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Puerto Rico, 51, state, referendum

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1 - 3 of 3 Comments

Jose Lopez
7 months ago
Dear Partner,

Greetings!

Those who accept colonialism do not believe in justice for all! Now that we know that
the political parties will not solve this problem; I invite you to join the non-violent protest to demand that the United States (US) decolonize Puerto Rico (PR) immediately. It will be on Monday, June 17, 2013 from 8 AM to 5 PM outside the United Nations (UN) visitor’s entrance located on 46th Street and First Avenue in New York City.

The UN has determined that colonialism is a crime against humanity in 1960 under Resolution 1514 (XV). That’s why the UN celebrates every year a hearing about Puerto Rico decolonization. Every year the UN puts forth a resolution asking the US to decolonize PR. Despite 30 of these resolutions, PR is still the oldest and most populated colony in the world! It is obvious by now that the US is not going to decolonize PR just because the UN asks.

Through education, we must create a domestic and international solidarity with this cause to pressure the US to do what historically she has refused to do. This is why we need everyone who also believes that colonialism is a crime against humanity to join the protest to demand compliance to international law!

Puerto Rico has been a colony of the US for 114 years. The US’ intention is to keep PR a colony forever unless we do something about it. It is important to note that: democracy isn’t what a government does. Democracy is what people do!
President John F. Kennedy said, “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice anywhere.” These ideas, of course, are the reasons why the United Nations was created after World War II.

It is up to us to defend the fundamental human rights that promote world peace. The tragedy of doing nothing is that we will have the kind of government that we deserve!

Sincerely,

José M. López Sierra

For more information:
www.TodosUnidosDescolonizarPR.blogspot.com
Compañeros Unidos para la Descolonización de Puerto Rico
JohnM
7 months ago
The referendum results are surprising and have lead to many statistical attempts to explain who actually voted for statehood, and who didn't.

With Puerto Rico's conservative leanings - and with an estimated 70+% of Puerto Ricans being Catholic - the political effects are going to be interesting. I wrote about this here http://51starflag.com/blog/puerto-rico-statehood-initiative-congress and the possible changes to Congress this would create are very challenging. It's been over 100 years since the House made any changes to it's membership.
DarthJ
7 months ago
This will be a nice trade-off. When we leave (Alabama), they enter :D

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