Puerto Rico without power again

[Rajvik]

According to those who make money off them?

They might as well be. Because their votes don't matter on the national level (Puerto Ricans don't have Senators or Representatives, only observers in Congress that may advise but not vote, nor may they vote for the Presidential Elections) they've no real way to address national policy. And Congress?

Congress doesn't care because Puerto Rico is subject to national level taxes but cannot demand through their representatives directly nor indirectly that its needs be attended to.

And at that point? You've got taxation without representation and second class citizens who get screwed over because it can be done at no cost to Congress and yet bring in a good chunk of money.


This changes when a Puerto Rican (or any other citizen from any of the US territories) starts living in a state and registers as a voter, as then they can vote for a US Senator and a Representative, as well as the President, as they are citizens of the US. Note that Washington (well, the District of Columbia) likewise has no right to elect a Senator or Representative, but IIRC they can since the 1970's or 80's vote for Presidents. Which is, perhaps, the most disgusting part of it all.

Here's a surprise for you all, I agree. The problem is that the citizens of Puerto Rico and other territories have always voted, when given the opportunity to become a state, to not become a state. They feel that they are better off being territories because their people CAN come to the United States mainland and are immediately have all the rights of citizens. THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO RUN A REPUBLIC