got to thinking as I wrote my question about radio in Hawaii if it would be to any advantage to admit the rest of our territories into The Union. What would be pros and cons? Guam Virgin Islands and American Samoa. Did I leave one out? If any of you lived in a US territory tell aboutit radio aspects and whatever else

Puerto Rico?

What you said, what I said + Midway Islands, Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Northern Mariana Islands and Palua. That would make 60 states! Someone needs to get started on the flag design right away!

And,
since whether or not some land mass becomes a state is all a political decision, this probably belongs over in the politics side.

Iraq?

Puerto Rico. I lived in the US Virgin Islands for several years, and almost no one there wants to be a state, and in Puerto Rico, they have had several votes, and always come out, approx 40% for statehood, 40% keep it like it is, and 10% independent.

I agree this should be on the political side.

Jefferson State

/nuf said

This was started on the other side, but it can continue here.

The US has several territories, in earlier times would be called colonies.

Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam and America Samoa.

The people that live in these territories are US citizens, but are limited in their rights, IE they have no vote for the President, and only get one non voting delegate to congress (Puerto Rico calles it resident commissioner).

Should the US grant statehood to one or more of these teritories, or give them independence or open up the territories with full voting rights?

This is an interesting topic Nwokie. I wanted to comment on the other side, but didn't get what the proper context was, so I just didn't.

This is really stupid, but what would we do with the flag then? I'm completely serious. Can you imagine what the discussions would look like, if the flag were open to a redesign, or just a new star pattern?

My personal view is that you are either a US citizen or not. If so, the Constitution and all that comes with that then applies. So, if we occupy their nation, call them citizens, ask for taxes, etc... they really should be voters like the rest of us; otherwise, it's a classic case of taxation without representation. We've established that's not ok, so why continue?

We are all equal under our law as well. IMHO, that's another solid line of reasoning that leads to them having the same status as other states do.

If you move from one of these quasi-states, to say, Texas, do you get to vote then? Anybody know? Does the reverse happen for US citizens doing the reverse? Moving from one of the 50 established states to a territory. I'm pretty sure they still get to vote absentee.

We dont ask for taxes, the territories do not pay federal taxes.
Yes if you move to one of the states you get to vote in presidential elections, also if you move to a territory, you dont get to vote in presidential elections.

I rather like the Canadian system, having done my last on-air radio work in what was then a lot larger North West Territories, in the capitol of Yellowknife, to be exact.

Everybody has a vote, including for territorial politicians, but there is no sales tax or provincial income tax, although the federal income tax is a bit higher. Northern Allowance more than makes up for the higher federal income tax.

There was talk tongue and cheek no less, of British Columbia becoming the 51 state. What if? I don't want to see Canada loose a province. Quite a while I recall of a group in Hawaii who wanted Hawaii to leave the union. These were mostly older people who were born there and never lived on the mainland. Haven't heard anything about it recently.

A desire for statehood by citizens of a territory carries with it a bit more than just getting some more "rights". Everyone seems to forget these days that if you want to be a full fledged citizen of the U.S., you need to be prepared to be a U.S. citizen in all responsibilities. That includes speaking English and obeying the laws of the U.S.

It's my understanding that there are a growing number of Hawaiians who are unhappy with statehood and want out. Perhaps Bsur, who posts on this forum, can enlighten us.

Re: Hawaiians. There are quite a few native americans that would "want us out" too. I say we leave that pandoras box close.

As for Puerto Rico, there isn't an overwhelming majority of people that want statehood. A seemingly equal number of people want independence from the US. THAT pandoras box should stay closed too.

I read somewhere where the majority of Puerto Ricans would rather either maintain the status quo or be independent, the majority do NOT want Statehood.

Interesting, congress is about to pass a law giving residents of DC, a voting member of congress and give Utah an extra member.

DC has about the same status as the territories, but they do get 3 votes in the electoral college.