Puerto Rico: why should they have a say?

[malta blue]

Why should Puerto Rico participate in the selection of a Democratic nominee if they do not have the right to vote in the general election?

Are they citizens or not?


And BTW - I am puertorican - so please, no stupid "racist" comments.

[olkaz]

1. I'm still trying to figure out why PR isn't a state

I mean, is there some sort of tax benefit to them not being a state?

I never have understood that.

[malta blue]

3. Heck, my father had to fight in Vietnam but he was not allowed

to vote....well he still can't vote because he was a "draft dodger" before they caught up with him and has that on his permanent record :evilgrin:

[Tesha]

36. Same reason DC can never be a state: They'd vote for Democrats. (NT)

[MadBadger]

2. I think Superdelegates should ignore whatever happens in Peurto Rico and other US territories.

[malta blue]

8. If they can't vote in the GE, then it should not matter...

and I hate to say that because they are under the thumb of the US gov't and in it's yoke.

[iiibbb]

4. They are citizens

But they are a territory.

It's up to them if they ever wanted to be a state. I'm sure they could easily be if they wanted to, but the Puerto Ricans are split down the middle on it.

Puerto Rico is a beautiful place.

[malta blue]

5. I think they have were shafted by the colonial US.

Many people were convinced to move to the "mainland" and left behind profitable, serene lives, to bust their asses in the depths of sweatshops, etc.

[iiibbb]

17. As were many immigrants of other origins.

It ain't easy getting started in this country... especially for first generations.

But the point of the matter is that Puerto Rico could be a state if it wanted to be. They are split down the middle on it and have been for the past 20 years. They'd rather get $$ and not pay taxes... which is perfectly fine if that's what they want.

I really like the place.

[malta blue]

26. They could be a state if they wanted to - this is

true, but puertorican cultural identity is very strong and I doubt that it will happen in my lifetime.

[iiibbb]

31. That's the rub.

Wish it were different... but they don't pay taxes. Pretty sure most of the ones I've talked to don't want to be independent either.

[bobbert]

6. Same reason democrats abroad have a say

[malta blue]

7. But democrats abroad are able to vote in the GE,

while puertoricans are not.

[DrDan]

9. and Guam . . .

and both have superdelegates

but Florida and Michigan voters are not heard . . .

[malta blue]

10. True enough and point taken.

I also feel that the Florida and Michigan dem leaders screwed over their citizens by going against the rules. They knew what they were getting into when they did it, but did not care enough about their voters to make sure their votes were worth something.

[DrDan]

37. I agree with you 100%

[crispini]

11. Again, people confuse *primaries* with the GE.

The primary is held by the party, and they pretty much get to make their own rules, within constraints. So why not include Guam? and Puerto Rico?

I'm not sure why they don't get to vote in the GE. Aren't they citizens?

[malta blue]

12. I am not confusing primaries with the GE....

Puerto Rico is a US territory - so people who live there have a sort of limited citizenship. They enjoy the priviledges of traveling with a US passport, the joys of being drafted into the military :sarcasm: but yet they cannot vote for president.

[crispini]

16. Well, you said in your OP

"Why should Puerto Rico participate in the selection of a Democratic nominee if they do not have the right to vote in the general election?"

My point -- maybe not well stated -- is that the rules are different for a GE and a primary. The party rules govern who gets to vote in the primary. So, probably at some point the DNC decided to include them -- as well as Guam, Dems Abroad, etc.

I'm not sure why they don't get to vote for president, though. I mean, why not? That does seem weird to me.

[malta blue]

19. Thanks for clearing that up...

sorry if I seemed snarky...

~peace

[ElsewheresDaughter]

13. and they can't vote in the GE so why indeed?

[mckeown1128]

27. Because they are american's too....

I like the fact that the Democratic party gives all American's the opportunity to vote for the nominee.


Aren't you supposed to be boycotting?

[Colobo]

14. Si, ¿por qué no?

[malta blue]

15. what kind of fucking comment is that?

:wtf:


I phrased it that way because I do not personally live on the island....

On edit:

¿Estas tratando de averiguar si es verdad? Usted sí tiene unos cojones....

[Colobo]

20. Es que todos los puertorriqueños sabemos nuestro estatus

como ciudadanos estadounidenses, y me parecía extremadamente raro que un puertorriqueño no lo supiera, e inferí eso de su pregunta.

[malta blue]

22. Entonces, ¿estas convencida?

[Starbucks Anarchist]

23. I'm trying to brush up on my Spanish.

So can you tell me if my translation is correct, or at least close?

"All Puerto Ricans know our status as U.S. citizens, and I find it rare that there is a Puerto Rican that doesn't know this, as you inferred in your question."

Yes? No? :D

[malta blue]

34. Since that poster has not come back, the

answer to your question is yes.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

35. Thanks!

:woohoo:

[AllentownJake]

18. Quick Question

Has Puerto Rico ever voted on the issue of becoming a state? From my understanding the first step in becoming a state is a referendum asking to become a state.

[malta blue]

21. They have voted several times against becoming a state

IIRC.

[AllentownJake]

28. Than as far as I'm concerned

No delegates for you. Want delegates you become state.

[jzodda]

24. Good question

Why does not your territory vote for Statehood like all the others once did? Is there a reason no vote has yet occurred?

[malta blue]

25. they have rejected statehood

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Rican_status_referendums

[jzodda]

29. I see then I wonder if its lawful for citizens of territories to vote for President

I am wondering if its allowed under US law. I know they can vote for governor, and for representatives in the US house, but there are no senate seats allowed. For parties in primaries it would only be what the parties themselves allow, I don't think there is law setup that dictates the territories. For the Presidential election though I think, but am not 100%, that its set by statute that territories can not have votes that count toward the outcome.

[Freddie Stubbs]

30. They are citizens

There are 11 delegates who represent Democrats who are citizens but live outside of the United States.

[malta blue]

32. They are citizens - but they can't vote in the general

election. :shrug:

That's the problem....they have a say in who gets to be the nominee but then they can't vote for said nominee in November.

[Freddie Stubbs]

33. Those are the rules of the Democratic Party

If you do not like them, you should try to convince your state's delegates to change the rules to exclude those people from having delegetes.