NationStates Jolt Archive

Should the US expand to 51 states and if so which would you choose to be the 51st? Poll on the way.

Should the US expand to 51 states and if so which would you choose to be the 51st? Poll on the way.

Probably either Guam or Puerto Rico, assuming their populaces vote in favor of becoming a state.

what about Canada? I like Canada.

Puerto Rico might as well be a state. We have such a symbiotic relationship with them as it is. They should have the full rights of statehood.

I thought Israel was the 51st state?

China. Might as well, considering they love capitalism as much as we do.

Burkina Faso

I don't think we're gonna get a 51st state. Texas will secede and then we can get a new 50th state.

Puerto Rico. It's pretty much already there.

Though the UK would indeed give some irony.... :p

Antartica - think of the possible oil reserves that might be accessible when global warming melts all the ice.

Poor Canada, huddling in the cold, scared and alone. Show them some love!

I second Burkina Faso.

How about instead of adding more states we expel a few? Kansas, I'm looking at you.

I think all territories of the USA should become states, but the 51st... Puerto Rico.

If there was to be a 51st state, it would be Puerto Rico. I don't see any reason to put them a state though. The citizens held a non-binding vote a while ago and they voted for status quo. Also, even if it did become a state, the people are different and I don't think they should have the right to vote for U.S President as they have a far different culture than America and English isn't their main language. .

How about instead of adding more states we expel a few? Kansas, I'm looking at you.

Maybe all the good states could just leave and we could quarantine all the crappy states.

Otherwise, I like Israel...

If there was to be a 51st state, it would be Puerto Rico. I don't see any reason to put them a state though. The citizens held a non-binding vote a while ago and they voted for status quo. Also, even if it did become a state, the people are different and I don't think they should have the right to vote for U.S President as they have a far different culture than America and English isn't their main language. .

Puerto Rico is officially bi-lingual. They use American currency and recieve funding from our government. They need to have a voice in the democratic process.

If there was to be a 51st state, it would be Puerto Rico. I don't see any reason to put them a state though. The citizens held a non-binding vote a while ago and they voted for status quo. Also, even if it did become a state, the people are different and I don't think they should have the right to vote for U.S President as they have a far different culture than America and English isn't their main language. .

Neither was Hawaii and look at them now.

Maybe all the good states could just leave and we could quarantine all the crappy states.

That works too.

http://www.guyanausa.org/home.htm

At least someone still loves us.

I voted for the no 51 state. Reason: 50 stars sound better than 51 and the 51 would interfere with the current pattern. If it weren't for that poor reasoning, I probably would say Puerto Rico that way they can start paying taxes on their current free American benefits and they currently refuse to pay any sort of taxes to cover.

we cant have a 51st state. it unbalances the flag

so it should be 51st AND 52nd states.

puerto rico should no longer be kept as a commonwealth. its unamerican. the citizens of PR should be given a fair and open referendum that gives them the choice of either being their own country or a state of the united states.

that referendum can be done as soon as we grab cuba and bring it up to standard and give them the same choice.

both or neither.

Japan, all the rest are also in the 'Great American Empire'.

I don't think we're gonna get a 51st state. Texas will secede and then we can get a new 50th state.

Even better, as per the treaty of annexation with the Republic of Texas, we ought to allow Texas to split itself up into five different little states. Then we can have 54 states!

We don't need a 51st state. Although I'd consider admitting Puerto Rico and getting rid of San Francisco :p

we cant have a 51st state. it unbalances the flag

so it should be 51st AND 52nd states.

puerto rico should no longer be kept as a commonwealth. its unamerican. the citizens of PR should be given a fair and open referendum that gives them the choice of either being their own country or a state of the united states.

that referendum can be done as soon as we grab cuba and bring it up to standard and give them the same choice.

both or neither.

Actually I think a 51 state flag looks kind of cool.

http://i16.tinypic.com/4e1a82c.png

we cant have a 51st state. it unbalances the flag

so it should be 51st AND 52nd states.

puerto rico should no longer be kept as a commonwealth. its unamerican. the citizens of PR should be given a fair and open referendum that gives them the choice of either being their own country or a state of the united states.

that referendum can be done as soon as we grab cuba and bring it up to standard and give them the same choice.

both or neither.

I don't think they like the idea of either, they like being a commonwealth.

What about Guam? They are such a nice and quiet commonwealth. Everybody overlooks them.

Poor Canada, huddling in the cold, scared and alone. Show them some love!

right....sacred of what's below us, Loony Tune Land.....:)

I voted for the no 51 state. Reason: 50 stars sound better than 51 and the 51 would interfere with the current pattern.

Not by a lot, actually. Here's the Army Institute of Heraldry's design for a 51 star flag (just in case).

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cc/US_51_Star_possible_Flag.svg/180px-US_51_Star_possible_Flag.svg.png

Here's an alternative put forth by the Puerto Rico statehood movement, but I don't like this so much.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8f/US_51-star_alternate_flag.svg/180px-US_51-star_alternate_flag.svg.png

Should the US expand to 51 states and if so which would you choose to be the 51st? Poll on the way.Cuba. :)

First thing's first - Washington, D.C. should be the 51st state. They've been shit on enough, really.

While we're at it, Puerto Rico ought to be granted statehood. Make them the 52nd state.

Maybe add Guam and the Virgin Islands, and just for the hell of it, Kurdistan. I know they want to be independent, but I'm sure they would rather be a U.S. state than an Iraqi whipping boy. At least they get to vote in the Senate this way.

Also, maybe we need to consolidate some states. Or maybe not. Fifty-five states is plenty. We have to add GU, DC, PR, VI, and KU to our postal codes, and a long direct flight from NYC to Kurdistan is in order, but think of all we could do with a strategic base in Kurdistan.

One reason why PR will never become a state or want to: taxes. They receive all the benefits of the US government without paying direct income taxes.

King Bodacious, how is it unAmerican if they voted to determine their status?

DC is seconded.

One reason why PR will never become a state or want to: taxes. They receive all the benefits of the US government without paying direct income taxes.

It seems like this shouldn't continue to be an option for them.

Britain, purely for the irony.

One reason why PR will never become a state or want to: taxes. They receive all the benefits of the US government without paying direct income taxes.

King Bodacious, how is it unAmerican if they voted to determine their status?

DC is seconded.

When did I say anything about "unAmerican"?

It doesn't matter who becomes the 51st state because the whole world will join the US eventually. :P

When did I say anything about "unAmerican"?

Sorry. My brain seems fried from exams.

Plus now I cant even find the comment. Damn I'm stupid.

Texas.

Texas has unique powers to divide itself into as many as 5 pieces whenever it wants. So, should Texas ever decide that the US needs 8 more Texan Senators, it can do that.

If there was to be a 51st state, it would be Puerto Rico. I don't see any reason to put them a state though. The citizens held a non-binding vote a while ago and they voted for status quo. Also, even if it did become a state, the people are different and I don't think they should have the right to vote for U.S President as they have a far different culture than America and English isn't their main language. .

So what you are saying is that the Constitution should not apply to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico if they become a state? That makes me want to vomit you racist scumbag.

I don't think they like the idea of either, they like being a commonwealth.

What about Guam? They are such a nice and quiet commonwealth. Everybody overlooks them.

i dont care what puerto rico LIKES. commonwealths are antiamerican.

in fact, now that i think about it. the US virgin island should be lumped in with PR and given the same option.

perhaps guam, american samoa and our other pacific possessions can be either made a part of hawaii or given the same option as i propose for puertorico/virgin islands.

we should divest ourselves of anything that is not eligible to be a state. we are not an empire; we should not own colonies no matter what we call them.

we cant have a 51st state. it unbalances the flag

so it should be 51st AND 52nd states.

puerto rico should no longer be kept as a commonwealth. its unamerican. the citizens of PR should be given a fair and open referendum that gives them the choice of either being their own country or a state of the united states.

Non-binding referendum shows they like their status now.

It doesn't matter who becomes the 51st state because the whole world will join the US eventually.The US is on the way down and is no longer seen as a reliable partner or even safe haven. It is more likely that some day the US will have to join whatever structure the EU has achieved until then.

I wonder if the Philippines would be interested in statehood? Their economy is in the crapper. Statehood might give them a nice economic boost.

Whaaat? Israel isn't already the 51th state? with the all financial aid, I would think so.

I don't think they like the idea of either, they like being a commonwealth.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is both a state and a commonwealth.

First thing's first - Washington, D.C. should be the 51st state. They've been shit on enough, really.

And why should the government district become a state?

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is both a state and a commonwealth.

The title of Commonwealth in this instance is just a title. The term commonwealth when applied to PR and other territories means something different.

so that Marion Berry can be a governor.

i dont care what puerto rico LIKES. commonwealths are antiamerican.

Then what about the three US states that are commonwealth?

The US is on the way down and is no longer seen as a reliable partner or even safe haven. It is more likely that some day the US will have to join whatever structure the EU has achieved until then.

I call bullshit on this statement. Name me a European Nation (outside of Switzerland and the smaller nations) that are safe havens.

The title of Commonwealth in this instance is just a title. The term commonwealth when applied to PR and other territories means something different.

Not necessarily a true statement.

Not necessarily a true statement.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_%28United_States%29

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_%28U.S._insular_area%29

And why should the government district become a state?

So that all the poor schmos who are private citizens and live in D.C. can vote for Congress and the President. This is good because we don't have to hear them bitch about it anymore. That and the whole "taxation without representation" thing is just plain un-American.

Also, my apartment should become a state. I'll elect my cats to the Senate.

why stop at 51?

Puerto Rico, Guam, Britain, Canada, Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Australia, French Polynesia, China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Mexico...fuck, the entire world should join the US imo. Except fucking Belgium.:upyours: That's right, Belgium, take that.

So that all the poor schmos who are private citizens and live in D.C. can vote for Congress and the President.

D.C. can already vote for President via constitutional amendment.

The USA is just fine the way it is. No 51st state, thank you!

Then what about the three US states that are commonwealth?

you dont know the difference between the commonwealth of massachusetts and the commonwealth of puerto rico?

So that all the poor schmos who are private citizens and live in D.C. can vote for Congress and the President. This is good because we don't have to hear them bitch about it anymore. That and the whole "taxation without representation" thing is just plain un-American.


all residences in DC should be declared either part of VA or MD. the rest should be a non residential zone.

problem solved without creating a new tiny state.

you dont know the difference between the commonwealth of massachusetts and the commonwealth of puerto rico?

Of course I do. However, you stated that commonwealths are anti-american. Hence the comment about the 3 US States that are commonwealths.

Mexico needed to be in that poll. We should just take over the whole thing. 1 in 10 of their citizens are already living here anyways...

D.C. can already vote for President via constitutional amendment.

They can't vote in Congress, though; all they get is a non-voting observer. And frankly, if D.C. doesn't get anything more than observers to Congress, neither should Wyoming, considering that Wyoming has 40,000 fewer people.

They can't vote in Congress, though; all they get is a non-voting observer. And frankly, if D.C. doesn't get anything more than observers to Congress, neither should Wyoming, considering that Wyoming has 40,000 fewer people.

Problem is Wyoming is a state whereas D.C. is not and therefor has the legal representation.

As to non-voting observers, so does American Samoa, Guam, and the other territories have the same.

Poor Canada, huddling in the cold, scared and alone. Show them some love!


we've booted ya out. twice.

Problem is Wyoming is a state whereas D.C. is not and therefor has the legal representation.

Why do you suppose DC-folk would be pleased with statehood? In any argument between a state and a territory, we all know which side the U.S. government comes down on. This is why Toledo is in Ohio and not Michigan. And if all 510,000 Wyomingites can profess to be part of a state, why not the 550,000 or so DC-folk?

As to non-voting observers, so does American Samoa, Guam, and the other territories have the same.

So D.C. is effectivly a territory that gets to vote for President. Being at the heart of the government and not being some distant territory, I can imagine why DC-folk are less than pleased about that.

Why do you suppose DC-folk would be pleased with statehood? In any argument between a state and a territory, we all know which side the U.S. government comes down on. This is why Toledo is in Ohio and not Michigan. And if all 510,000 Wyomingites can profess to be part of a state, why not the 550,000 or so DC-folk?

Because it is the seat of the Federal Government and I am of the Opinion that the Seat of Government should not be a state but what it is now.

So D.C. is effectivly a territory that gets to vote for President. Being at the heart of the government and not being some distant territory, I can imagine why DC-folk are less than pleased about that.

Not my problem.

Iraq

Let's just make D.C., PR, Virgin Islands, Guam, Mariana Islands, American Samoa (and Guyana if they really want it so badly) all states. That'll give us, what? 57? Hmm... we need three more, so we can have an even 60.

why stop at 51?

Puerto Rico, Guam, Britain, Canada, Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Australia, French Polynesia, China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Mexico...fuck, the entire world should join the US imo. Except fucking Belgium.:upyours: That's right, Belgium, take that.

Hey, Belgium suffered enough in Douglas Adams's books.

Hey Unknown apathy, why do you want us to join America? Aren't we already Americanized enough? meh we might as well

Hey Unknown apathy, why do you want us to join America? Aren't we already Americanized enough? meh we might as well

I didn't say that I want, I said that we're already part of it...

I didn't say that I want, I said that we're already part of it...

We have their support either way, we don't need to be part of them:D

We have their support either way, we don't need to be part of them:D

I say that we better be a part.... maybe that way we could import things from the US without income tax

I say that we better be a part.... maybe that way we could import things from the US without income tax

Stupid taxes. But then the majority will not be Jews *gasp* and we are a racist country after all. Sorry I am talking on a different international forum and they're having it hard on me (I hope that didn't mean something dirrty)
Meanwhile I have both Israeli and American passport so:p

Mexico. Making it a state will solve all the immigration problems we're having and at the same time open up a whole plethora of interesting new problems.

Poor Canada, huddling in the cold, scared and alone. Show them some love!
We'll only join if we're exempt from the EPA.

Puerto Rico for sure. Indepedence or statehood I say. Just for simplicities sake.

Why should we have a 51st state, especially since all the selections given don't particularly WANT to be a 51st state?

If there was to be a 51st state, it would be Puerto Rico. I don't see any reason to put them a state though. The citizens held a non-binding vote a while ago and they voted for status quo. Also, even if it did become a state, the people are different and I don't think they should have the right to vote for U.S President as they have a far different culture than America and English isn't their main language. .
If anything, that's why they should become a state, due to the difference of perspective.

And why should the government district become a state?

Because at the moment, the citizens of Washington D.C., -- the people who live there and work there and who are NOT part of the government -- have to pay taxes like all other American citizens and yet are not represented by anyone. D.C. is in such tough straits with poverty and crime because they are not funded automatically and have to beg for every penny they get. They get a representative in Congress who can witness the proceedings but can't vote.

Considering that one of the clarion calls for the American Revolution was "No Taxation without Representation!" the situation is more than a little ironic.

all residences in DC should be declared either part of VA or MD. the rest should be a non residential zone.

problem solved without creating a new tiny state.

Except that VA took back their part of DC. ;) DC used to be a square.

Poor Canada, huddling in the cold, scared and alone. Show them some love!

Actually I hug every Canadian I meet...

Those little maplers are just adorable.

You forgot us in Australia! :p I'd say we're more US-leaning than Canada. :(

India. For the simple reason that I don't have to worry about visa and stuff.:D

If Britain was the 51st state, I would actually vote on the guy making the decisions, and my state would be one of the biggest and most populous (indeed, you might have to split in into four). I could also maintain my Britishness as state pride while simultaneously being an American.

And yeah, the poetic justice is nice.

Puerto Rico, you've already raped it once.

Mexico. At this rate, every Mexican will soon live in the United States anyway.

Guam

Because it is the seat of the Federal Government and I am of the Opinion that the Seat of Government should not be a state but what it is now.
So basically what you're saying is "fuck democracy?"

Or "all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others?" Or both? I can't tell...

So basically what you're saying is "fuck democracy?"

Is Canberra Australia a province? No it is not. It is a territory but not a province. From what I am reading of Canberra, it has NO REPRESENTATIVES in Parliment either.

You forgot us in Australia! :p I'd say we're more US-leaning than Canada. :(

Sorry. We didn't see you way down there.

what about mexico?

Sweden, just imagine how pissed of fass would be :p

Sweden, just imagine how pissed of fass would be :p

I officially change my vote to Sweden.

I'd have thought Russia....after all the spoils of war go to the victor.....