Brown-Waite's calling of Puerto Rico and Guam 'foreign' doesn't...

[Raul]

Michael wrote:

<quoted text>That is not the point! The point is that PR's do not pay FederalTaxes! Please explain why they sould get a tax rebate? PS They already get to much federal aid as it is!

You should worry about the money that the U.S. Government sends elsewhere, which pales in comparison to the money that goes to Puerto Rico.

[andrea]

I congratulate Mrs. Brown Waite for her statements. We are a nation (Puerto Rico) and our nationality is Puerto Rican. Our statutory US-citizenship imposed in 1917 is a reminder of a colonial past. In 1952 we achieved self government under an associated free state status with the US under a compact signed on July 25th,1952. That has allowed Puerto Ricans to fly our own national flag, have our national olympic team and have international representation as a nation. We are a spanish speaking latin american nation, that is what we are. The US colonial regime of 1898-1951 did not change our reality because we already had 400 years as a nation in 1898. Our present status as a Estado Libre Asociado (Associated Free State) allowed Puerto Ricans to regain it's dignity and nationality back. The majority of Puerto Ricans want to continue with an association with the US (or maybe with Spain) but allowing us to have our own sovereignty and nationhood.

[David Lopez]

Diogenes wrote:

<quoted text>
And your point is.....?

One like you who lives in constant denial of the facts and truth of life needs to say what you just said to Raul's well stated facts of life which is here facing the USA which cannot at all blame PR for all of it's troubles around the world..

This is you "And your point is.....?"
Quote unquote.

These are the signs of a person in denial or the beginning stages of senile.

[Diogenes]

David Lopez wrote:

<quoted text>One like you who lives in constant denial of the facts and truth of life needs to say what you just said to Raul's well stated facts of life which is here facing the USA which cannot at all blame PR for all of it's troubles around the world..
This is you "And your point is.....?"
Quote unquote.
These are the signs of a person in denial or the beginning stages of senile.

I see very little substance in the posts the two of you leave. That's why I ask what your point is. You're not making yourself clear.

Denial? Of what? Where do you get the idea I am in denial. I have nothing to deny.

I've read some of your posts to others and you appear to be a very frustrated and bitter person. Is there a personal reason for that? Are you paranoid? Do you feel overwhelminly discriminated against? What is your problem and why do you want to get on these personal attack trips? Can't you discuss issues directly without attacking someone's character?

Stick to addressing issues man - not people.

Now that you've calmed down, try answering these questions;

We'll give you the first round and say, at least hypothetically, that what Brown-Waite said was innaccurate. That being said, then what word or term should she have used that would include ALL U.S. citizens living in ALL regions outside the continental U.S.?

And the second question is - If the same words she used would have been said by a Hispanic Democrat who was arguing FOR checks to be issued to U.S. citizens from Puerto Rico then would your reaction be the same.

Can you provide HONEST answers to those two questions?

[appalled]

This is what you have to deal with when you live in GBW's districts:

Hernando Today

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 12, 2008

Updated: 07:12 pm

Using Tax Dollars

To Fund Re-election

Today, I received for the second time in the past 30 days a full color 11-by-17-inch mailer from District 5 U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite. It has been my observation that Ginny prefers to save her "franking" for election years, having received perhaps one or two throughout all of 2007. Ah... but 2008 is an election year, is it not?

The Congresswoman, most notable recently for being named the most prolific "user/abuser" of this federally financed mode of communication with constituents, was cited for spending in excess of $130,000 dollars of the taxpayers' dime in the run-up to the 2006 elections on franking. This expenditure placed her alone among her peers in Congress engaging in the practice of franking. Absolutely shameless, Ginny once has once again embarked on reinforcing her name recognition for her 2008 re-election campaign and using our taxpayer dime to pay for it!

The aforementioned mailers entitled sequentially, Legislative Update and Guide to Constituent Services received by District 5 voters over the past 30 days, demonstrate clearly the unmitigated gall of this Congresswoman (following this report), on top of a demonstrated disdain for conservative fiscal principle when it comes to using our tax dollars to finance her re-election campaign.

John Russell

Dade City

[Alan]

John Russell (above) is the same disgruntled candidate that challenged GBW 2X and lost BIG! This clown was even ejected from the Florida Democrat's convention for his boorish behavior...go figure!

[whatamess]

Although Real American here needs a little bit of a history lesson, and as I always say, the prejudice that comes from many is only a reflection of their ignorance...I will say that Puerto Rico SHOULD NOT be entitled to the tax rebate. I personally live in Puerto Rico, I am NOT a foreigner (Real American...might want to grab a book and read a bit), however, just because our men go and fight to protect the US, does not entitle everyone else on the island to receive a tax rebate. I agree that Federal Employees in Puerto Rico, including Military personnel in Puerto Rico, should receive the tax rebate...however, the rest of the US citizens (Real American...you need to read) that live on this island, that do NOT pay federal taxes should not be receiving a refund...myself included.

My plan is to spend it in the US with my US Federal Income Tax paying friends...not in Puerto Rico...

In addition, I see nothing wrong with what the Brown-Waites stated...we are FOREIGN US citizens in the sense that we do NOT live in the US, but in a commonwealth.

Again, anyone in the island that pays Federal Income Taxes, should be entitled to the rebate just as those in the US...but unfortunately, there are many out here that are just out for their "free welfare" money that think they deserve it because they pay Social Security taxes...

I did try to contact the senator from Florida to voice my support to her, however, being currently in Puerto Rico, I could not even call the phone number listed on her website or email her through her website...it didn't include the ability to email from Puerto Rico...hmmm...

By the way, if someone is in Florida or is against this tax rebate, I suggest you start writing your senators about the abuse...There are plenty of people in Puerto Rico, who do NOT feel that they are owed this tax (yes, the ones who actually work and have their pride...) who are starting to add up the numbers and it seems that the Puerto Rico government has once again inflated numbers to get more federal funding than is truly required...thus the reason they want this money to go through the local tax office...it will allow them to make up numbers and send the money to whom THEY see fit...Have a feeling many who don't work will be receiving this money as well.

In the last 3 1/2 years of living here, the local government has been contiuously fined by the federal government for lying to get additional federal funding for schools, housing, etc...seems they did it once again...let's hope the US realizes this soon before they send out the millions to Puerto Rico and have the government thieves spend it as THEY SEE FIT...

[Israel Cancel]

USA gets triple whatever amount of money they had giving or invest in Puerto Rico.

We are very proud to had served in every area defending the USA, people like the ones talking bs about puertorricans should be ashame of themselves.

You what I am puertorriqueno Y que? suffer.....

[Raul]

I made my point clear. Worry about the money going to ohter countries/endeavors because I'm pretty sure the money Puerto Rico gets pales in comparison to the money going elsewhere. Can't be anymore clearer than that.
Me paranoid, No, I'm amused that there are stil people calling us foreigners when in their own history books it says that WE ARE CITIZENS of the U.S.A. And they got the nerve to call us uneducated. For those that think we should not get money from the U.S. because we don't pay federal taxes. Guess what we should because Puerto Rico isn't allowed to trade with other nations, Puerto Ricans serve this country, defending your freedom. You don't want provide federal aid, then allow us to trade with the rest of the world, get your troops/bases off our island, and give us our independence. You can't have it way. To get something you've got to give something.

[NottheSamebellud o]

wow what wonderful forum. i can only say wow/guao. Palabras con luz.......

[Diogenes]

Israel Cancel wrote:

USA gets triple whatever amount of money they had giving or invest in Puerto Rico.
We are very proud to had served in every area defending the USA, people like the ones talking bs about puertorricans should be ashame of themselves.
You what I am puertorriqueno Y que? suffer.....

Triple???? Examples please, preferably with dollar figures next to them.

[GUAM Harleyrider]

Do any of you really know what you’re talking about? Or is this a venue for you to demonstrate your ignorance? The people of Guam and Puerto Rico are American citizens, just the same as someone born in Florida, Georgia, Hawaii or Alaska. The people of Guam do in fact pay United States Federal Taxes; follow United States federal Tax laws and go to jail for not paying. So as tax paying citizens of this country they are as entitled to collect as any other Federal Tax payer. For those of you how would say they are not US citizens take a little time and do some research, you’ll find your wrong, of course that will probably be the reason you won’t do the research.

[Diogenes]

GUAM Harleyrider wrote:

Do any of you really know what you’re talking about? Or is this a venue for you to demonstrate your ignorance? The people of Guam and Puerto Rico are American citizens, just the same as someone born in Florida, Georgia, Hawaii or Alaska. The people of Guam do in fact pay United States Federal Taxes; follow United States federal Tax laws and go to jail for not paying. So as tax paying citizens of this country they are as entitled to collect as any other Federal Tax payer. For those of you how would say they are not US citizens take a little time and do some research, you’ll find your wrong, of course that will probably be the reason you won’t do the research.

I don't know where you've been but the fact they are U.S. citizens has been resolved a long time ago. In fact, Brown-Waite knew they were citizens when she made the statement that was twisted and misinterpreted.

The fact is that unless Puerto Ricans work FOR the U.S. government then they don't pay federal income tax. They pay their own income tax to the Puerto Rican government but not to the U.S.. So, if you want to gnaw on someone's ear I would suggest you go to the Puerto Rican government and ask why they didn't institute a refund like the U.S. government did.

And as far as those Puerto Ricans who pay U.S. federal income tax who work for the U.S. government - they are entitled to and will receive a refund.

Does that resolve your issue?

[I Hate Everyone]

I can't believe this bullshit...do the Puerto Ricans ever forget a topic and bury it...

Now, they dig up the bodies from the grave and continue their useless and worthless crap how they are wonderful people and deserving of so many freebies, handouts, and grab bags without once taken some accountability in their miserable lives...

Christ, demand your sovereignity and independence and become Men and Women of a Proud Nation instead of a Nation of Beggars....

Have you any pride, dignity or self respect....

[Mad]

Israel Cancel wrote:

USA gets triple whatever amount of money they had giving or invest in Puerto Rico.
We are very proud to had served in every area defending the USA, people like the ones talking bs about puertorricans should be ashame of themselves.
You what I am puertorriqueno Y que? suffer.....

Based on what pray tell?

[Mad]

I Hate Everyone wrote:

I can't believe this bullshit...do the Puerto Ricans ever forget a topic and bury it...
Now, they dig up the bodies from the grave and continue their useless and worthless crap how they are wonderful people and deserving of so many freebies, handouts, and grab bags without once taken some accountability in their miserable lives...
Christ, demand your sovereignity and independence and become Men and Women of a Proud Nation instead of a Nation of Beggars....
Have you any pride, dignity or self respect....

Amen, amen!

[Jose]

I Hate Everyone wrote:

I can't believe this bullshit...do the Puerto Ricans ever forget a topic and bury it...
Now, they dig up the bodies from the grave and continue their useless and worthless crap how they are wonderful people and deserving of so many freebies, handouts, and grab bags without once taken some accountability in their miserable lives...
Christ, demand your sovereignity and independence and become Men and Women of a Proud Nation instead of a Nation of Beggars....
Have you any pride, dignity or self respect....

No señor. We hve very litle of that.

[senot edwardo]

You denizens of yesteryears! PR, Guam, & other Territory's of the almighty USA are under the rules, rights, taxes, & control of the Feds! The Feds are giving this tax rebate to stimulate our economic disaster and not to certain peoples only. Why should SS Welfare recepients & retirees who don't pay taxes get rebates too? Oh by the way, how many tens of thousands will spend this money on a vacation to PR, VI, or Guam? My flight is booked and am ready to spend it in Guam! So shut up and let's spend the money so hopefully it'll stimulate our economy!

[senot edwardo]

cont'd Look here my fellow Americans, our fore fathers declared war amongst ourselves to abolish slavery, wrote laws against racial descrimination & established the laws of our taxes! Let's stop the mud slinging, name calling, racial degrading,'cause it'll lead us to not a better economic state but more of yesteryear racial woes. I know for a fact that PR, Guam, VI are Territorys of the US & are US Cits; why the Feds allow them to control some of their taxes is beyond me too; but if we want to change this then we as US Borned, Voting Cits, & so-called smarter race of US Citizens should exercise our rights & VOTE for the Leaders who can lead our nation better! Or let's just give in and give this territories to Japan, Russia, China or any country who'll love to squeeze our balls more(our Economic woes) & require all US Cits Passports & Visas to vacation in this formerly US Island paradises! Wouldn't that be veeery interesting!!