NationStates Jolt Archive

There are only 46 states in the United Staes of America. I always thought there were more but on a technicality there are not, well I never!

'Tis True. Tis true."

So it's false advertising then?

So it's false advertising then?

It's... a simplification. Like linear time.

Linear time?
Coming from Tralfamadore I don't understand the concept.

46 states? Interesting. Please explain.

Three were founded as Comonwealths and had a constitution before the rest and another split from one of these three. I'll let the Americans tell you wich are which as I'm sure they know.

46 states? Interesting. Please explain.

Virginia, for instance, is a Commonwealth.

Virginia, for instance, is a Commonwealth.
Spoil sport> :mad:

Spoil sport> :mad:

:p

There are still three more to guess.

Three were founded as Comonwealths and had a constitution before the rest and another split from one of these three. I'll let the Americans tell you wich are which as I'm sure they know.

Virginia, Penna, Kentucky, and...um, not sure about the fourth.

The fourth is so obvious that it's almost pathetic: West Virginia.

And, in all actuallity, there's closer to only 30 states. Nearly half of the current states were not actually ratified as such. They are just considered states because it became custom to consider them so and no one wants to argue about it. Neither, for that matter, do I.

The fourth is so obvious that it's almost pathetic: West Virginia.

And, in all actuallity, there's closer to only 30 states. Nearly half of the current states were not actually ratified as such. They are just considered states because it became custom to consider them so and no one wants to argue about it. Neither, for that matter, do I.
There is no argument, there are four Comonwealths in the united states, it's a fact. Some may think a little interesting and enough to raise an eyebrow. :confused:

Wow I did not know that. I don't care :P but it'll be intresting to know while I remember it.

That may be, but by ratifying the Constitution, the commonwealths technically became states, because only "states" could vote on ratification.

That's only if you want to get real technical.

There is no argument, there are four Comonwealths in the united states, it's a fact. Some may think a little interesting and enough to raise an eyebrow. :confused:

Sorry, but you are incorrect.

West Virginia is a state, Massachusetts is the other commonwealth.

Technically all four are states. Puerto Rico is also a commonwealth, but is not a state. States have the right to send member to congress, two senators and representatives based on the number of people living in the state based on the last cencus. Districts (are supposed to be, please no speaches on jerrymandering) are supposed to be based on the size of the population, which is why a cencus is supposed to be done every 10 years.

Hope that helps.

It's a matter of semantics. Kinda like the difference between "inexperienced and uninformed debaters" and "morons". Yeah, some of them are morons, but you call them all "inexperienced and uninformed debaters", anyway. Similarly, some of them are Commonwealths, but you call them all "States", anyway. :D

--The Jovial States of Cogitation
"Laugh about it for a moment."
NationStates Self-Proclaimed Court Jester

DISCLAIMER: The above is intended only as a joke. No check of factual accuracy has been made, and no claim of factual accuracy is made.

No 50 states?! ah well, tyo be honest I couldn't really care