51 States...not really news?

[DudeMan2766]

As far as I'm concerned this finally makes 50 states.

[columbia]

I hope the Dakotas can settle their difference and become just Dakota and then we add Puerto Rico as the 50th state so that we can just keep the same flag.

But Dakota would just be a bad country singer and we already have enough of those.

[KennyTheKangaroo]

the sioux might rise again if we let those dakotas merge.

[Geezer]

It gives the Democrats 2 more automatic senators

[Geezer]

The Virgin Islands,American Samoa,Mariana Islands and Guam are U.S. territories that could theoretically do the same.

[count2infinity]

out of curiosity, what are the benifits/drawbacks to being a territory vs. a state?

[Kaizer]

It gives the Democrats 2 more automatic senators

[Shyster]

out of curiosity, what are the benifits/drawbacks to being a territory vs. a state?

Actual Congressional representation would be one advantage. Right now, territories get delegates to the House of Representatives who can serve on House committees and the like, but they don’t actually get to vote when it comes to full floor votes. I don't think there are any delegates to the Senate, so they have no sway at all there. Neither do people in Puerto Rico get to vote in Presidential elections. Statehood would give Puerto Ricans the same say in the federal governance at least equal to the smallest states.

[relantel]

I say condition entry with splitting California in two, either east and west or north and south, probably the former. (Not going to happen, but something has to be done with bankrupt California)

PR is in a state where it gets lots of $ from the US Government without having to give much. Its citizens when residing on the mainland have every right to vote just as any other american, and would count as natural born if one wanted to run for President.

Statehood would mean giving up benefits and having to pay taxes. Probably a high bar that PR still may not want.

[PghSkins]

Ugh the flag will look funny with an odd number. Combine the Dakotas!

no u carolinas

[PghSkins]

I dunno why they'd wanna join this country judging from 7/8 of my facebook feed.

They make Bacardi, we make the Twilight movies.

Yeah, I don't know why they would want to join, either.

[MRandall25]

The Virginias

[Dickie Dunn]

15% unemployment rate in Puerto Rico. Are Democrats going to want to add a new state that will immediately increase unemployment?

[relantel]

The Virginias

might take that to turn Virginia red again. But if we were smart, we'd break up into smaller parts and get [even] more Senators out of it.

[SolidSnake]

I prefer contraction

[ulf]

i say get rid of NJ, throw Philly in with it, and take Puerto Rico

[ulf]

is relocation possible?

[PghSkins]

Sell New Mexico back to Mexico. Half of Americans think it is still Mexico anyway.

[mikey287]

Sell New Mexico back to Mexico. Half of Americans think it is still Mexico anyway.

[DudeMan2766]

is relocation possible?

Better yet wouldn't realignment be awesome?

[KennyTheKangaroo]

is relocation possible?

Better yet wouldn't realignment be awesome?

As long as nan is barred from discussing realignment, it would be great.

[Tico Rick]

Good, now we can tax them!

[newarenanow]

Puerto Rico to Big XII?

[Tico Rick]

No problem. Just add Guam and we have a full deck of cards.

[columbia]

How about Canada for #52?