http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q...RiZWQ5YTc=

Although the thought that this maneuver is motivated by a power play in presidential elections makes my skin crawl, it doesn't bother me in principle that Puerto Ricans are, in effect, being told to fish or cut bait.

Stealth Statehood - Naomi Lopez Bauman - The Corner on National Review Online

http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q...RiZWQ5YTc= Wrote:Mr. Castellanos further claims that Puerto Ricans overwhelmingly support conservative values and elect Republicans to office in the commonwealth. But in reality, Puerto Ricans cannot be counted on to support free-market and conservative candidates on the national level.

In the 2008 presidential primaries, more than 388,000 Puerto Ricans turned out to vote for then-senators Obama and Clinton. Fewer than 1,000 voters turned out for the Republican caucus.

That alone isn't very meaningful. The Democratic campaign was far more contentious far longer than the Republican campaign and the caucus results are probably largely a function of how much the campaigns spend in a give state or commonwealth.

PR started doing this just as I was moving off the island back in 1991. There is very strong opposition to not only statehood but some fiercely want independence. Back then, there were three choices that were to be put on the ballot:

Statehood
Independence
Enhanced commonwealth (they keep their CW status but get more $$$ from Uncle Sam - nice, vote yourslef some more money)

Even though the FBI and US prosecutors have offices down there, there's corruption in everything they do. Statehood would cost this country $$$ and we'd get nothing in return. And I'm sure all those lovely Puerto Ricans would love having a federal income tax to go along with their island income tax.