President Trump's Personal Feelings Could Stand Between Puerto Rico and Statehood

Puerto Ricans are considered U.S. citizens, but many in the country argue that they lack adequate representation.

Natanael Alfredo Nemanita Ginting/Dreamstime.com

As it turns out, the fate of Puerto Rican statehood potentially rests on President Donald Trump's personal feelings. Trump butted heads with San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz last year in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. The president lashed out against Cruz after taking her comments about the United State's delayed response to Puerto Rico, which is under its federal jurisdiction, personally. The president also recently took issue with the official death toll on the island following the hurricane, publicly denying that nearly 3,000 people died in Puerto Rico in the six months following the hurricane. (The president maintained that the death toll was made up by his opponents in an effort to make him look bad.) The president's feelings about Puerto Rico and its leaders led him to verbally deny statehood for the territory.

"With the mayor of San Juan as bad as she is and as incompetent as she is, Puerto Rico shouldn't be talking about statehood until they get some people that really know what they're doing," he said in a Monday interview on Geraldo Rivera's "Geraldo in Cleveland." The sentiment drew sharp rebuke, including a tweet from Puerto Rican Governor Ricardo Rossello.

@POTUS said he is not in favor of statehood for the people of Puerto Rico based on a personal feud with a local mayor. This is an insensitive, disrespectful comment to over 3 million Americans who live in the American territory of #PuertoRico.

— Ricardo Rossello (@ricardorossello) September 24, 2018

In two recent non-binding referendums on the island, a majority of the votes supported Puerto Rican statehood. Others were either comfortable with the current arrangement or supported a sovereign state of their own. While Puerto Ricans are considered U.S. citizens, those who support statehood argue that their representation in the federal government is inadequate. Citizens cannot vote in presidential and congressional elections. Puerto Ricans also have a representative of sorts in the U.S. Congress, but that is a non-voting member. Despite this, the U.S. government maintains control over various functions of Puerto Rico's government, including trade, military affairs, and federal taxation.

The U.S. Congress is ultimately responsible for deciding Puerto Rico's statehood. According to recent voting history, Puerto Ricans would likely support more Democratic candidates than Republican candidates. Given that, plus Trump's recent statements, it is difficult to imagine a Republican-led Congress voting in favor of statehood for Puerto Rico anytime soon.

Bonus link: Statehood in Puerto Rico should also come with free market principles.

Comments

[loveconstitution1789]

Puerto Rico is a shithole.

Massive corruption, poverty, and welfare queens.

[Tony]

Unlike the paradise on earth that is West Virginia.

Oh I forgot, when it's white people, it's someone else's fault.

[Don't look at me.]

How racist can you get?

[Tony]

Not as racist as lc1789!

[loveconstitution1789]

Tony, what race are Americans again?

I lived in Puerto Rico. Its a shithole.

[Tony]

So is Alabama. What's your point?

[TuIpa]

That we need fewer, not more, shithole states?

How is that even an issue?

[lap83]

I think if either Alabama or West Virginia experienced a natural disaster, the people there could figure out how to distribute bottles of water

[loveconstitution1789]

You've never been to P.R nor Alabama. How would you know?

[loveconstitution1789]

What race are Americans again, Tony?

[Tony]

Who do you consider Americans?

[loveconstitution1789]

Oh Tony, I always find it funny when you admit defeat so easily.

[loveconstitution1789]

Poor Tony has moved on to another thread.

[TuIpa]

He was stuck arguing for inclusion of a shithole state because he accepted your premise that PR is a shithole (it is in MANY places very poor and unsafe).

[Tony]

With statehood it could perhaps receive more federal welfare from the rich states just like Alabama and West Virginia do.

[TuIpa]

They'd at least be paying for some of it, just like Alabama and West Virginia do, instead of the free ride they get now.

[TuIpa]

In this thread you see Tony arguing that other places are shitholes, and they take money from FEDGOV that they don't pay in, but we need MORE of them, not fewer.

No really. He is actually arguing that.

[loveconstitution1789]

P.R. does not pay federal income tax.

They get American welfare for nothing in return.

[TuIpa]

He's mailing it in, he knows PR is a leeching shithole, and he is only arguing this (and not even really arguing just doing that dumb childish sarcasm thing he does) because he hates his opponents and can't let them win on anything.

Which means he ends up arguing for accepting a freeriding leech shithole like PR.

[Sometimes a Great Notion]

PRs may not pay income tax but they are taxed by the feds because of the Jones Act. Just saying.

[TuIpa]

"Tony|9.25.18 @ 12:13PM|#

Not as racist as lc1789!"

So more.

[Weigel's Cock Ring]

West Virginia would be doing just fine if lowlife scum-sucking gutter vermin like you and Block Yomomma would stop trying to destroy them by killing all their jobs.

[The Last American Hero]

Why are you bagging on Joe Biden's stomping ground?

[damikesc]

Unlike the paradise on earth that is West Virginia.

Oh I forgot, when it's white people, it's someone else's fault.

P.R has approximately HALF of the wealth of MS, our poorest state.

[Don't look at me.]

Nobody wanted it before, but now it's Trumps fault.

[eyeroller]

What's Guam, chopped liver?

[loveconstitution1789]

Two different oceans. It makes all the difference.

[Ron]

and Guam may tip over if to many people go to one side to watch the sun set or rise

[PeteRR]

Independence for Puerto Rico would seem to be the solution.

It's really the only sensible thing to do, if its done safely. Therapeutically there's no danger involved.

[MP]

An independent Puerto Rico, with its own central bank, would be an unmitigated disaster.

[KDN]

We're keeping them dependent on American welfare for their own good. Just like we do with the blacks.

[Adans smith]

No representation without taxation.

[GlenchristLaw]

Sadly accurate: PR knows which side of their bread the butter is on and will never rock the status quo boat unless the mainland presses the issue.

[Gilbert Martin]

Whether Puerto Rico wants statehood is irrelevant.

What is relevant is whether the people in all the existing states want Puerto Rico to get statehood.

And by the way the citizens of Puerto Rico don't pay federal income taxes yet seem to think they are entitled to all the same government assistance as everyone else who does.

[Jgalt1975]

And by the way the citizens of Puerto Rico don't pay federal income taxes yet seem to think they are entitled to all the same government assistance as everyone else who does.

Admitting Puerto Rico as a state would solve part of that problem....

[The Last American Hero]

And when they take the matter up as a binding resolution, we can discuss it.

[Gilbert Martin]

"Admitting Puerto Rico as a state would solve part of that problem...."

Half the people in this country don't pay any federal income taxes now because the tax code gives low income people a pass.

I expect that a significant percentage of the population there would still not be paying any federal income taxes.

[loveconstitution1789]

Every American should pay something in federal taxes if we are going to have federal taxes.

Everyone needs skin in this game.

[John Galt Jr]

Half the people in this country don't pay any federal income taxes now because the tax code gives low income people a pass.

The middle class income tax is 50% subsidized by the rich -- which make THEM the biggest teat suckers in America,

[John Galt Jr]

Every American should pay something in federal taxes if we are going to have federal taxes.

It has been posted frequently that you are an aggressive sucker at the tax subsidy trough.
And if your income is at or near the median, the rich subsidize fully half your share of the federal income tax. But that's okay because you pay "something." The entitlement mentality is sad, but there are many ways the the entitled justify their dependency on others. Especially on the political right.

[Gilbert Martin]

"The middle class income tax is 50% subsidized by the rich -- which make THEM the biggest teat suckers in America"

You can't prove who is or isn't getting subsidized without a bottom up individual analysis of each person comparing the absolute dollar amount of taxes paid by that individual to the absolute dollar value of the demonstrable, specific direct government benefits that individual has received calculated on a user fee basis in exchange for his money.

[John Galt Jr]

"The middle class" is not an individual.
Nor is "THEM,"

Anything else?

[Diane Reynolds (Paul.)]

As it turns out, the fate of Puerto Rican statehood potentially rests on President Trump's personal feelings.

Look, we had President Personal Feelings for eight years, I'm kinda numb to it now.

[The Last American Hero]

Trump has shit-all to do with it. If PR votes for Statehood and the States vote to let them in, Trump's feelings on the matter are irrelevant.

[Brett Bellmore]

Last I heard, Puerto Rican opinion was standing in the way, too.

The essay misrepresented that referendum; Statehood won, but the turnout was pathetic because statehood opponents were boycotting the referendum. Only the pro-statehood party didn't boycott it.

[Overt]

And in the past I have seen a lot of Referendum criticism from the anti-statehood people. Their point is that the Pro-State people keep asking and asking and asking until at some point someone says yes, and then their "independence" (such that it is) is gone.

[DiegoF]

Yes. It's like all these other civic questions where one option is permanent; you get an endless heads I win tails we flip again. Statehood--the issue the island's political party system revolves around, with support being the more "Rightist" position--lost every plebiscite until the last two, which were boycotted in some way; it's symptomatic of Reason's sloppiness that it did not include this basic fact.

Statehood may well be finally capable of winning a plebiscite fair and square at the moment. But that doesn't change the fact that it, especially under the terms its proponents envision, is an infantile fantasy. It would sure as fuck not be good for the U.S., and probably not particularly good for PR either. Both U.S. parties have been officially supportive of statehood should PR ask for it, but in reality it's always been light years away from being a real possibility and everyone knows it. The only reason I think it might actually happen if the Democrats win both houses of Congress is because from here on out there is no tactic they will forgo to get more votes. They're about to start letting children vote in Federal elections; why not Puerto Ricans?

The fact that it takes only a simple act of Congress to admit a state is one of the stupidest flaws in the Constitution. We are done expanding as a republic. We must pass an amendment now (and while we're at it, one setting the voting age at 18), while there is still the political will.

[Rev. Arthur L. Kirkland]

We are done expanding as a republic.

Why? Says who?

[John Galt Jr]

The authoritarian right. In all their self-righteous busybodiness.

[DRM]

On the 2012 referendum, 1,878,969 ballots and 1,798,987 valid votes were cast, but on the alternatives to the status quo offered, only 834,191 votes were cast for statehood. That's not a "majority of the votes" by any standard, the obfuscation caused by the two-question structure imposed by pro-statehood advocates on the referendum notwithstanding.

On the 2017 one, yes, a majority of votes were for statehood sure. For a total 502,801 votes, the lowest raw vote total for statehood since the 1967 referendum.

[John Galt Jr]

Relevance?

[sarcasmic]

I've never been to Puerto Rico, but without exception everyone I've met from that place fit stereotype and bad joke I'd ever heard about the place.

Granted the sample size is small, but it's really weird to meet people who were like living caricatures.

[loveconstitution1789]

The barrio 'La Perla' in San Juan Puerto Rico is so violent, that it is left of tourist maps of San Juan to discourage tourists from going there.

The police used to avoid that area.

There are a lot of really nice Puerto Ricans but Puerto Rico is not like any US state. Not even close.

[Diane Reynolds (Paul.)]

I always wondered if there were some Puerto Rican girls that were just dyin' to meet me.

[loveconstitution1789]

Dont ever put your dick/tongue in crazy.

Puerto Ricans girls are saucy in bed but its not worth it.

We're all stab worthy to them.

[Dillinger]

>>>Dont ever put your dick/tongue in crazy.

PR ladies worth it. dodge the knives.

[Diane Reynolds (Paul.)]

Puerto Ricans girls are saucy in bed but its not worth it.

Sez you.

[loveconstitution1789]

You have a death wish, I see.

[TrickyVic (old school)]

You gotta live on the edge to live!

[Leo Kovalensky II]

What's the matter with you, boy?

[Brett Bellmore]

I know a former Puerto Rican, nice guy. But he's one of the ones who had the sense and initiative to leave.

We really ought to either cut them lose, or make a serious effort to clean up corruption there. One or the other.

[BestUsedCarSales]

It's just such a weird holdover from a different era in world politics. They're one of our last territories, our last colonies basically. It's just weird it exists, and we should probably just cut them loose or integrate them. One or the other.

[John Galt Jr]

ut without exception everyone I've met from that place fit stereotype and bad joke I'd ever heard about the place.

And you meet the stereotype and every bad joke about the redneck right, the Homer Simpsons.

And your comment has attracted a following among other similar primitives.

[Homple]

"President Trump's Personal Feelings Could Stand Between Puerto Rico and Statehood"

Also common sense. Why do we need two more Senators and a Representative or two yelling for more sucking on the federal teat?

[John Galt Jr]

Afraid they'll displace you there?

[Libertymike]

We should listen to Fred G. Sanford on matters Puerto Rican, dummy.

[geo1113]

Geto the goato out of el houso.

[geo1113]

s/g be" el goato"

[geo1113]

*Hangs head is shame*

[Libertymike]

See the "Home Sweet Home" episode (my absolute fave) of Sanford & Son. Particularly the ending of the episode where Fred impersonates Miss Funari while insulting Julio.

[DiegoF]

I presume these were what the references were to?

[Libertymike]

Really, its about not letting greed get the better of you wrapped in Fred's hilarious bigotry expressed against both the Japanese and the Puerto Ricans.

[John Galt Jr]

Bigotry seems to play well here.
In the comments.

[John]

What prevents PR statehood is the fact that it would just be more Democrats in Congress so the Republicans would never agree to it. Also, most people there don't want statehood. Not everything has to do with Trump. When are the half wit millennials at Reason going to evict Trump from their heads or at least start charging him rent for living there?

[loveconstitution1789]

Puerto Rican statehood has been a topic of discussion for over 100 years.

The majority of Puerto Ricans dont want P.R. to be a state and America does not really want them as a state. The welfare deal and no federal income taxes seems to work for Puerto Rico. The USA used to get the benefit of naval target practice and naval airfield, but that ended years ago.

[geo1113]

"Not everything has to do with Trump."

Come on, John. Get woke!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sigivald]

Is that why PR keeps not voting for it? Because Republicans in Congress?

[TuIpa]

... who cares what they vote for? It's not like that is how the matter will be settled.

[John Galt Jr]

Read the Constitution.
If you know where to find one.

[General_Tso]

No, because of Trump's personal feelings!!1!

[John]

I don't know. But even if they voted for it, they still could not get admitted as a state without Congress agreeing to do so. And that won't happen as long as Republicans have a say in it.

[BestUsedCarSales]

Could congress force their statehood against their will?

[John Galt Jr]

No. The territory petitions Congress to pass enabling legislation.
This enables the state to hold a constitutional convention to draft a state convention.
If the constitution is ratified by a majority of voters in the Territory, both Houses of Congress must agree to grant statehood, and the President must sign the bill.

It's not an issue. Trump was blowing smoke out his ass again, from his vengeful nature, which impresses his base of Homer Simpsons/

[John]

I don't know. But even if they voted for it, they still could not get admitted as a state without Congress agreeing to do so. And that won't happen as long as Republicans have a say in it.

[John Galt Jr]

Thanks but GP bigotry is already well known.

[TW]

"With the mayor of San Juan as bad as she is and as incompetent as she is, Puerto Rico shouldn't be talking about statehood until they get some people that really know what they're doing," he said in a Monday interview on Geraldo Rivera's "Geraldo in Cleveland."

Sounds less to me like a personal feud and more like a spot-on assessment. I'm onboard with repealing the Jones Act which has hampered Puerto Rico's recovery and makes it more expensive for the people who live there to buy things but they have serious problems with corruption and incompetence in government far beyond what we have in the mainland and closer to what we see in third world countries.

[John]

The media was complaining that a million bottles of water are sitting on a runway in PR and were never distributed during the hurricane relief effort. The locals and the local officials are so stupid and corrupt that they can't go out on a runway and pick up the bottles and distribute them and somehow that is FEMA and Trump's fault.

[Gilbert Martin]

The only thing that interests the media is finding more ways to bash Trump.

Actual facts, common sense and holding anyone else accountable for upholding their own responsibilities takes a back seat to that imperative.

[lap83]

PR as a state would be like if all of Louisiana was New Orleans

[BestUsedCarSales]

Now I'm sold.

[DiegoF]

I keep reading "Geraldo in Cleveland" as "Grover Cleveland" because really, you don't read enough about Cleveland to not make ol' Grover one of the more prominent potential contexts in your mind. Betcha he'd know how to deal with this Puerto Rico business. Ol' Governor Rossell? would just wake up one morning to find his palace's second flagpole bare and a fresh cable from Washington DC reading, "Congratulations, Mr. President."

[Dillinger]

Puerto Ricans' personal feelings re: statehood more important maybe

[Uncle Adolf's Gas and Grill]

The Death And Tragic Rebirth Of Libertarianism

https://tinyurl.com/yaou4yjj

[loveconstitution1789]

Interesting read.

My major critique would be that Libertarians are not the lackeys of corporations. Corporations are limited liability business entities that have their charters granted by government. Corporations would not exist without government because people have to right to defer liability off themselves without government allowing it. See government immunity.

Partnerships, sole proprietorships, and other full liability businesses simply register their names with the government, not ask permission to form.

Libertarians support rule of law and corporations that violate their charters to cheat investors and the public trust to follow some SJW bullshit, they should be prosecuted by the state for anti-trust. They are trying to enact social change via investor money and without the permission in their charter while hiding behind the limited liability protection the government affords them.

[Isaac Bartram]

Maybe just a technicality, but it is not the corporation that is being protected from liability, it is the investors.

Furthermore, the only liability that is limited is indebtedness and financial loss. The corporation itself, as an entity is liable for all acts of fraud and other malfeasance, as are the officers and employees of the corporation. Passive investors, ie those who take no active part in making policy or othe running of the business are generally protected from prosecution for the company's crimes and their liability for any indebtedness should the company fail is limited to their initial investment.

No lender is required to lend to a corporation. In today's business climate anyone who lends to a corporation knows full well the risks he is assuming. If he is concerned about the creditworthiness of the company he is free to demand that the owners stand surety for any indebtedness over the value of the company with their own property.

IOW, limited liability does not actually mean what an awful lot of y'all seem to think it does.

[loveconstitution1789]

This isaac guy constantly posts nonsense.

[John Galt Jr]

This isaac guy constantly posts nonsense.

He exposed you as a total ass.
And you confirmed it.

[John Galt Jr]

Corporations would not exist without government because people have to right to defer liability off themselves without government allowing it.

You're full of shit again, windbag.
Or shall I defer liability off myself and rape your mother?

Watching you describe libertarianism, from your blatantly authoritarian mentality is like a bad skit on Monty Python.

[Sigivald]

"Puerto Ricans are considered U.S. citizens"

"Considered"?

They simply are, like everyone else born in one of the Territories (apart from Samoa, which has weird special status but not birthright citizenship).

"Considered" suggests it's a matter of custom or opinion, not law.

[DiegoF]

Yes. Completely unnecessary flowery hedges in writing suggests that the person is generally a bit out of his element.

[mad.casual]

To be sure.

[Don't look at me.]

Research? What's that?

[Ron]

Considering Puerta Rican's always vote down state hood who cares and yes the death toll numbers are false and have no real world correlations they are a sham to harm Trump

[John Galt Jr]

No need to hatm Trump. He makes a total ass of himself several times per day, and recently set a new record of 127 proven lies in a single day. Luckily, he'll be in prison soon.

[An Innocent Man]

We need fewer states not more.

[John Galt Jr]

Who would Your Lordship expel from the United States.
(bows deeply in subjugation)

[Rev. Arthur L. Kirkland]

Puerto Rico should be offered statehood or cut loose.

Until then, Puerto Rico should post two-sided photographs of at least 1,000 hurricane victims on the White House fence.

[TuIpa]

So, you want them to post pictures of their failure to self-govern?

Ok.

[damikesc]

I don't often say people are too incompetent to govern themselves.

Puerto Ricans stretch that desire to not believe that.

[John Galt Jr]

So, you want them to post pictures of their failure to self-govern?

Are you aware that you revealed your total lack of elementary literacy and/or logic in public?
Did you beat your chest and snarl?

[Square = Circle]

Puerto Rico should be offered statehood or cut loose.

That's been the standing offer for over 100 years now, and we've been waiting for them to make a decision that entire time.

You're astoundingly ignorant for someone who's constantly talking about his superior education.

[Rev. Arthur L. Kirkland]

When did the United States offer statehood to Puerto Rico? I recall both the Democratic and Republican parties periodically talking about it, but do not recall an offer.

I don't talk about how smart I am so much as I mention how dumb half-educated, bigoted, superstitious, backwaters-inhabiting right-wing yahoos are.

[Square = Circle]

When did the United States offer statehood to Puerto Rico?

All through the 19th century, when the US acquired new territory it was always with the explicit understanding that once a local democratic government formed, it could apply for statehood. This is how Alaska and Hawaii became states (and Nevada, Arizona, etc.). The last time Puerto Rico was able to get together a solid referendum one way or the other, it was for independence, and they were refused.

But Alaska and Hawaii were admitted because Alaska was seen as Democrat-leaning while Hawaii was seen as Republican-leaning, so the balance of power was not upset. As several others have pointed out, for PR to become a state, some red-state counterbalance needs to be found.

And I didn't say "smart," I said "superior education." I pegged you as the type who doesn't know the difference immediately.

I mention how dumb half-educated, bigoted, superstitious, backwaters-inhabiting right-wing yahoos are.

That's just you being a bigot.

[John Galt Jr]

>"When did the United States offer statehood to Puerto Rico?"

All through the 19th century, when the US acquired new territory it was always with the explicit understanding that once a local democratic government formed, it could apply for statehood

Umm, that's not an offer.

That's just you being a bigot.

(lol) You proved him correct about you!
YOUR bigotry that statehood requites some partisan test is exactly how he described you, Gomer
A dumb half-educated, bigoted, superstitious, backwaters-inhabiting right-wing yahoo.
Thank you for playing. Please select a lovely parting gift.

[lap83]

How about a compromise? It can become a state but everyone in favor of it has to move there

[Rev. Arthur L. Kirkland]

Better compromise -- let in Puerto Rico, relegate Mississippi or Alabama or South Carolina or West Virginia or another lesser state, with a chance to resume statehood upon improvement.

[Rockabilly]

Fuck Puerto Rico

[Mickey Rat]

If memory serves, the process to admitting a territory to the Union as a state does not involve the Chief Executive in an official capacity at all. The President's personal feelings do not matter for good or ill.

[DiegoF]

This is acknowledged in the last paragraph, along with an explanation that the author meant that a Republican Congress would likely act in accordance with Trump's sentiments. In other words, they could've written the story straightforwardly from square one, but that would've meant forgoing the chance to make it about Trump. Bah who cares about the snoozes in Congress!

[Mickey Rat]

While ignoring all the other issues which have prevented Puerto Rican statehood, including the votes of Puerto Ricans.

[John Galt Jr]

How many morons can fit on a single page? Mickey Mouse is not the only one spouting such ignorant bullshit here. In the most recent referendum, June of last year, statehood was chosen by a mere 97% of Puerto Ricans.

Any excuse to hide the nonstop tyranny of Herr Trump's dick tater ship. A redneck goober in the White House, supported by rank-and-file goobers, and trusted by a mere 32% of Americans.

[DRM]

Puerto Rico's population in 2017 was 3,337,000. Puerto Rico's number of registered voters on June 11, 2017 was 2,260,804. The number of persons voting for statehood in 2017 was 502,801.

So, actually, statehood was chosen by a mere 15% of Puerto Ricans, or a mere 22% of registered Puerto Rican voters.

When an actual majority of Puerto Rico's registered voters actually want statehood enough to bother vote for it, then we can discuss irreversibly changing Puerto Rico's status.

Until then, all the noise is pretty obviously just Team Blue wishing it had a couple more Senators.

[John Galt Jr]

The last sentence confirms the authoritarian mentality I suspected.
Says statehood should be based on partisan gooberism.

, then we can discuss irreversibly changing Puerto Rico's status.

As if you are the dicktater of what can be discussed. (sigh)

(Stupid conservative counted little babies. Because eagerly brainwashed)

[John Galt Jr]

If memory serves

Nope. Blew it again,
He must sign the legislation, just like any other bill passed by Congress.

[buddhastalin]

To maintain political balance in Congress (or the Senate, at least), Puerto Rico should not be admitted as a state unless the state of Jefferson in Northern California is simultaneously admitted.

[John Galt Jr]

That's the problem. How do we accommodate so many wannabe dictators?
And other assorted windbags?

[No Longer Amused]

Let PR clean up it's massive corruption issues first, dig it's way out insolvency, make English the primary language, and not be a net drain on the national economy.

[John Galt Jr]

Another language bigot.

[John Thacker]

In two recent non-binding referendums on the island, a majority of the votes supported Puerto Rican statehood.

No. In the 2017 referendum, the people opposed to statehood boycotted, and turnout was super low. In the 2012 referendum, there was a two part question designed by the statehood forces, with a slim majority for "should Puerto Rico change its status for the US" in the first question, and the second question "if PR does change its status for the US, should it be to that of a state, "enhanced free association (but not a state) or independence" had a lot of status quo supporters spoil their ballots. It's quite likely that a decent number of people voting Yes in the first question supported independence, and even people who oppose statehood but want extra PR powers under being a commonwealth (the second option in the second question), i.e. more devolution, "should have" logically voted Yes on the first question (but may have voted No out of the feeling that it was a trap.)

[Fist of Etiquette]

@POTUS said he is not in favor of statehood for the people of Puerto Rico based on a personal feud with a local mayor. This is an insensitive, disrespectful comment to over 3 million Americans who live in the American territory of #PuertoRico.
? Ricardo Rossello (@ricardorossello) September 24, 2018

Stupid, stupid man. It doesn't take a genius to figure out how to handle Trump, and this is not it.

[Rev. Arthur L. Kirkland]

I imagine Rossello is already looking forward to the point at which America's betters replace the Trumpers at the helm of government.

[John Galt Jr]

Me too!

[Juice]

Give them independence, not statehood.

[Rossami]

Puerto Ricans has stood between Puerto Rico and statehood for many decades. Suddenly blaming it all on Trump when there is no evidence the Puerto Ricans have withdrawn their objections seems, well, silly. Seriously, guys - not everything is Trump's fault.

[Echospinner]

Fault is not the question. The issue is responsibility.

Trump cannot walk away this easily.

[John Galt Jr]

Actually, he stomps.

[Echospinner]

"With the mayor of San Juan as bad as she is and as incompetent as she is, Puerto Rico shouldn't be talking about statehood until they get some people that really know what they're doing,"

There are some things to say about the status of Puerto Rico. That statement is by far the funniest.

[GoatOnABoat]

So now, after over 100 years of ambiguous status, it's now Trump's fault they can't be a state? In any case, if they want to be a state, I say welcome aboard! Now start coughing up those income taxes like the rest of us...

[John Galt Jr]

Trump is scary. with his hateful and vengeful compulsions. His assaults on Obama's "legacy" no doubt trace to Obama total public humiliation of birtherism and Trump (by name) at a White House Correspondents Dinner years earlier -- to Trump's face.

Exploiting his office for personal gain may not be the worst of this sick man. Using the power of the federal government to enact vengeance, affecting even statehold for tens on millions of citizens may be even worse than his repeated defiance of our European allies, on both trade and Iran.

His low-information voters are unwitting puppets in his campaign of revenge, lies and corruption. What else from the proven racist and neo-nazi leader of the psychopathic alt-right?

Democrats are equally incompetent. And today's libertarians no longer promote governance reforms and expanded liberty, only anti-gummint slogans and soundbites, because seeking public office means conspiring with statists! Best to hide away in a deep tribal cave, waiting for the free society which will (of course) spring from the ground with no effort at all. thus avoiding the need to conspire with statists -- or to ever engage with non-libertarians (ugh).

American values? Yeah. I recall them. From bygone days..

[loveconstitution1789]

MAGA!

[Rev. Arthur L. Kirkland]

MAGA:

My Associates Getting Arrested!

My Attorney Giving Allocutions!

[John Galt Jr]

MAGA

Morons Are Governing America

[loveconstitution1789]

Maga!

[loveconstitution1789]

Must be an effective term. Lefties hate it.

[John Galt Jr]

Must be an effective term. Lefties hate it.

What they hate is right-wing bigots like you. And it's not just "lefties" or "proggies" or any of your other infantile whining.
The MAGA response is ridiculing you. But like your Orange Fuhrer, you always claim a massive failure as some sort of victory.

The entire world community ridiculed Trump yesterday. But he does have his tribe of Homer Simpsons!

[Gilbert Martin]

There is no such thing as a "world community"

[Tony]

Then what was laughing at Trump?

[loveconstitution1789]

A bunch of tools.

[Ellis Wyatt]

The world community., goober.

[loveconstitution1789]

The ambassadors at the UN are what they are: corrupt socialist bureaucrats who are scared to death of what Trump means-

That America is not taking the Socialist buttfucking without a fight.

[Ellis Wyatt]

Only 32% of AMERICANS find your Orange Facsist trustworthy.
Which is more than trust YOU.

[Derp-o-Matic 6000]

President Trump's Personal Feelings Could Stand Between Puerto Rico and Statehood

No it won't. They weren't going to get statehood anyway

[JeremyR]

The Republicans aren't going to give the Democrats 2 senate seats and a house seat.

What would be a better idea is to add them to a state. Like say New York, which is already Democrat and full of Puerto Ricans.

[Ellis Wyatt]

Yes, Republicans are despicable fascists. It's called Identity Politics.