Puerto Rico 51st State

Kirby · **Posted:** March 15th, 2012, 5:56 pm

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/201 ... f-it-wants-statehood

Personally, I hate this guy, and this makes me hate him more. But that may have to do that I am more or less fluent in Spanish, and have friends from Puerto Rico.

Adbot · **Posted:** March 15th, 2012, 5:56 pm

Ranging God · **Posted:** March 15th, 2012, 6:07 pm

I completely agree with Santorum. Why would we want to make an official state that doesn't speak English as their primary language? This will cause a lot of unequal right, which is something America is trying to get away from (women's rights, woman's wage, race, ect)

With having a state that has English as it's second language, it will cause a divide in America. At a time like this, it is not something that we need.

Jason · **Posted:** March 15th, 2012, 7:10 pm

I in no way shape or form support Santorum, and although I am a fairly decent Spanish speaker myself, I would have to agree that it shouldn't be made an official state if it doesn't use our national language. I feel like it would cause too many complications politically and economically if they were to remain a Spanish-speaking state.

trekkie · **Posted:** March 15th, 2012, 10:29 pm

we're better off making parts of canada the 51st and 52nd state. not the frenchy part though, they can stay there.

Jason · **Posted:** March 16th, 2012, 12:01 am

After doing a bit of reading (and redditting) I found something interesting:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_the_United_States#Official_language_status

Although I'm not sure of all the implementations of all this, I think this makes some interesting points in contradiction to Santorum's reasoning.

Ranging God · **Posted:** March 16th, 2012, 6:20 am

Quote:

English (specifically American English) is the primary language used for legislation, regulations, executive orders, treaties, federal court rulings, and all other official pronouncements; although there are laws requiring documents such as ballots to be printed in multiple languages when there are large numbers of non-English speakers in an area.

Exactly, if people are not required to know English, then they can use that as reasoning for not obeying the law. I know that ignorance is not something that can be fully upheld is court, but I think it would loosed up their punishment.

Adbot · **Posted:** March 16th, 2012, 6:20 am

trekkie · **Posted:** March 16th, 2012, 2:25 pm

that would be the same excuse as i didn't know what the no parking sign said because i do not know english.

but honestly, i think most would see them becoming the 51st state in the future.

but then if it does become a state, it would have to follow all of our federal laws. i just don't see people willing to spend money to "fix" the place up.

Pennstate315 · Runite Member 5-25-10

Yah, not a big fan or Rick but I also to think he's right on this one. The language barrier is probably just going to send many Puerto Ricans into low paying jobs and poverty if made the 51st state.