As I understand, Puerto Rico is owned by the U.S., and they are considered citizens, they can be drafted and die for the U.S., but they cannot vote for the presidency? Why is this? Im not prejuduce, I want to know why they are being discriminated against.
2006-06-16 18:24:06 · 10 answers · asked by AuroraBorealis 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I've always wondered the same thing. Seems like a really crappy deal for them. Probably just one more example of how stupid and ldiotic our good ol' US gummint is.
2006-06-16 18:30:37 · answer #1 · answered by joe 5 · 2⤊ 4⤋
Puerto Rico is a commonwealth, not a state. They cannot be drafted and they have their OWN government (although the Pres. is the chief of state) which they elect and which makes their laws.
Every one I have ever spoken to says if they really wanted to have a vote and be drafted, they would vote for statehood, so far they haven't - so most don't feel they are being discriminated against.
Here's a link from Puerto Rico on their government with links to their history as well. http://welcome.topuertorico.org/government.shtml
2006-06-17 02:00:51 · answer #2 · answered by grim reaper 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Under the US constitution citizens (though US citizens) of unincorporated territories do not vote. Puerto Rico is a territory of the US with commonwealth status. Puerto Rico was ceded to the US as a result of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship in 1917. Popularly-elected governors have served since 1948. In 1952, a constitution was enacted providing for internal self government. In plebiscites held in 1967, 1993, and 1998, voters chose not to alter the existing political status. The Puerto Ricans can vote for statehood (and attain voter status as members of the 51st state of the US), vote for independence (such as was awarded the Philippines) or keep the status quo -- they are content with the status quo. P.S. There is no military draft for US male citizens.
2006-06-17 01:37:53 · answer #3 · answered by cranura 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Puerto Ricans are not allowed to vote in the US elections while living in the island, but if they move to any of the 50 states they are elegible to vote as any other citizen would. Even if the US president moves to Puerto Rico he would not be elegible for voting in the US elections (this is true for all American citizens living in the island).
In order for Puerto Ricans to change this situation they will have to become a state of the USA. In the meanwhile nothing is going to change.
2006-06-17 16:39:55 · answer #4 · answered by Nickel79 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Puerto Rico is a self governing commonwealth associate with the US since 1952. They are not part of the US, that is why they do not vote in US elections, they have their own government. Puerto Rico's status is not permanent and they have self determination recognized internationally. Puerto Rico has a national olympic team (the PR's national team defeated the US basketball dream team in the world olympics in athens 2004). Overall. Puerto Rico is a latin american nation without full sovereignty.
2006-06-17 18:35:12 · answer #5 · answered by Hdz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are not citizens the same way that those born in the United States are citizens. Essentially, they were our protectorate for so long, and, as you say, fulfilled so many obligations, it was felt they should be allowed to get social security benefits and other benefits. They do not consider themselves American but Puerto Rican, so it is not appropriate that they vote in our elections. Even as you put it 'Puerto Rico is owned by the US'. They are not PART of the US. We merely were trying to give them certain rights. The citizen bit is fairly recent.
2006-06-17 01:30:39 · answer #6 · answered by DAR 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only the citizens of the several states can vote in Presidential elections. Citizens of non-state territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam and the Trust Territories, and the US Virgin Islands are not citizens of states and therefore cannot vote for the President. They could vote for statehood and be admitted as states but have not yet chosen to do so.
2006-06-17 02:18:52 · answer #7 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Puerto Rico is a USA colony. They are second class citizens unless they move to the states. Is called injustice.
2006-06-17 01:46:56 · answer #8 · answered by Lost. at. Sea. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What's the difference? Not very many people vote here in the 50 states. They don't want statehood in PR. They got it better than Haiti, but not much better. They espire to be baseball players here in the states to escape the poverty there.
PR is one of the most beautiful places to go to the beach you will ever see.
2006-06-17 02:10:56 · answer #9 · answered by randyrich 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They can vote. They have representatives in the Legislature.
2006-06-17 01:35:07 · answer #10 · answered by Burgundy Blaze 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋