Puerto Rico Primary

“The nearly two and a half million Americans in those two states who participated in the primary elections are in danger of being excluded from our democratic process and I think that is wrong.” - Hillary

“Hillary’s position has always been that if everybody gets to vote, and every body’s vote is counted, she would accept the will of the Democrats and those who are legally eligible to participate in that process, that we would unify this party united do our best to win in November.” -Bill Clinton.

That’s funny. I distinctly remember when she agreed that she would not campaign in the state and even declared that the contests in Florida and Michigan shouldn’t count.

Amidst the upcoming Puerto Rico Primary, the blog-sphere has been plagued with many posts repeatedly asking:

“Puerto Rico’s not even a state why should they decide anything?”

HERE’S WHY:

#1: Puerto Ricans ARE American Citizens- since 1917- and have participated in ALL U.S. wars since 1898. They carry the same U.S. passport, use the same U.S. currency and US mail system as any other “American.”

#2: Puerto Ricans DO pay taxes. Aside from local, property and sales, Puerto Ricans also pay taxes toward Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and other income generated from a US income source. Others pay Federal Income Tax from similar sources, including Soldiers and the Federal Employees, i.e. USDA, Federal Courts, FBI, Customs, FDA, VA Hospital, Satellite Clinics, Retired Veterans, INS, USDOT, Coast Guard, etc. No Taxation Without Representation, remember?

#3: Federal laws apply to Puerto Rico. Same Federal courts, and many of the same Federal agencies.

#4: Per capita, Puerto Rico has more active duty forces in Iraq and Afghanistan than any other U.S. state except Nevada. If you can Die you should Decide baby. 

#5: It is also home to 3 Congressional Medal of Honor Receipients and 5 Miss Universes ; )

Oh and FYI: For all the bruhaha about Puerto Rico being a commonwealth, let us not forget that the state of Texas was once it’s own nation!

And so my friends, while Puerto Rico may not be a state, it sure saves your ass.

And there you have it.

In her first visit to the island in almost a decade, Hillary Clinton had the following words for her puertorriqueño supporters:

“My commitment to Puerto Rico did not start last month or last year. It stretches back more than a decade.”

Let us take a moment to revist that commitment shall we?

Last month- Clinton files a bill to require the NSF to reinstate funding for the Arecibo Observatory.

Last few years- NADA! The Observatory has been in peril for some time now, political motivation or simply avocation? YOU decide.

Last weekend - Clinton says “I am committed to providing new tax benefits to revitalize Puerto Rico’s economy, extending to Puerto Rico the wage credits and tax benefits of Empowerment Zones and other programs that stimulate investment in underdeveloped areas.”

Last decade- Bill Clinton cut tax credits to companies doing business in Puerto Rico.

Last weekend- Clinton says: “I believe you should have a vote in picking the president, too.”

“I think you should be treated equally, nothing less. That is the core of my agenda in Puerto Rico, a passionate belief in your right to equal treatment. This is the 21st century, we need to treat every person equally and certainly the United States government should be the model and set the example.”

Last 8 years in the Senate- ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Last weekend- Clinton says, “I feel as though I have been your senator and now I want to be your president.”

Last 8 years in the Senate- ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Last Week- Clinton’s Campaign releases a statement saying “Hillary will put more police on Puerto Rico’s streets. . . She will also provide funding for programs President Bush has sought to eliminate, such as the Justice Assistance grants to improve Puerto Rico’s criminal justice system and support crime fighting activities. ”

Last Decade- Hillary supports her husband’s 1999 commutation of 16 members of FALN, a violent Puerto Rican nationalist group responsible for setting off 120 bombs in the US and Puerto Rico; but later flip-flops her position when the members refuse to give up violence.

Questions, Comments, Concerns?

Tom Rooney (PA): Senator, I was in your court until a couple of weeks ago. How do you reconcile the campaign of credibility that you have when you’ve made those comments about what happened getting off the plane in Bosnia, which totally misrepresented what really happened on that day? You really lost my vote. And what can you tell me to get that vote back?

SEN. CLINTON: Well, Tom, I can tell you that I may be a lot of things, but I’m not dumb. And I wrote about going to Bosnia in my book in 2004. I laid it all out there. And you’re right. On a couple of occasions in the last weeks I just said some things that weren’t in keeping with what I knew to be the case and what I had written about in my book. And, you know, I’m embarrassed by it. I have apologized for it. I’ve said it was a mistake. And it is, I hope, something that you can look over, because clearly I am proud that I went to Bosnia. It was a war zone.