slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Scott O'Connor

Why hasn’t the United States of America let any new states in since 1959?

There are four types of candidates, and none of them are particularly appealing.

Puerto Rico: There are four major problems with making Puerto Rico a state. Firstly, Puerto Rico is not as developed as any U.S. state. Its GDP Per Capita hovers around 20,000 dollars, which is 15,000 dollars less than any other state. Secondly, most of the island’s population speaks Spanish as a first language. No state currently in the Union has more than 30 percent of its population speak Spanish as a first language. Thirdly, only a little more than 50 percent of the population of Puerto Rico supports statehood based on the most recent referendum. That fact makes statehood inside Puerto Rico very controversial. Fourthly, the reason for Puerto Rico becoming a state currently are mainly political, as the Democratic party is looking for an advantage.

D.C.: There are also problems with D.C. becoming a state. Firstly, the founders intended D.C. to be the federal capital and not a state. They stressed that the capital should be free from state politics. Secondly, D.C. is a city. It is only 5 percent of the size of Rhode Island, the smallest state. If D.C. was to be a state, the definition of what a state is would radically change, and probably not for the better. Thirdly, there would be a constitutional crisis if D.C. became a state regarding the 23rd Amendment. If D.C. became a state, there would be a federal capital area housing all the major government buildings, including the White House. The 23rd Amendment gives the capital three e*******l v**es in P**********l e******ns. It is possible that without a new constitutional amendment, the P**********l administration in power could v**e itself three free e*******l v**es. Fourthly, the motivations for making D.C. a state are also overwhelmingly partisan, more so than Puerto Rico.

Other U.S. territories: Unlike the first two candidates, this set of candidates has one problem: population. Guam is the most populated U.S. territory after Puerto Rico. Its population is 166,000 people. To compare, Wyoming’s population is 576,000 people, and Wyoming is the U.S.’s least populated state. The U.S. has not had a state with a population of fewer than 200,000 people since the 1950s. Overall, Guam and other territories seem too small in population to be states.

New states from parts of other states: The reasoning for proposed states like these to occur is partisan. For example, the Republicans wish for southern Oregon and Northern California to become own their state. Similarly, the Democrats want to break up California into five separate states. Both parties want to do these actions because they want a political advantage. For that reason, it seems unlikely that proposed states like these will be able to pass with the required sixty v**es in the senate.

Thank you for reading.

Canuckus Deploracus Loc: North of the wall

Thanks... This was informative...

(Why was Canada left out)

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Indeed, as why would they be left out of consideration

Rose42

Its been ou 51st state for quite some time.

microphor Loc: Home is TN

Good info, thank you

Smedley_buzkill

You want Canada to be the 51st state? You people will do anything to get shut of Trudeau.

Smedley_buzkill

Because they insist we take both Quebec and Trudeau as part of a package deal?

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Oh, then I guess you weren't earlier referencing Gary Trudeau, author of Doonesbury.

Canuckus Deploracus Loc: North of the wall

Your left would love the opportunity to make Trudeau President 🤮🤮

boggsrifle Loc: N.E.Nv.

Great piece of writing Slatten, there is another possibility, according to what I was taught in school Texas can divide itself into to as many as five states any time it wants too. This according to the treaty joined Texas (an independent country) with the U.S.A. I wish they would do it, that would bring in several more conservative Senators to win our republic back.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Uniquely among U.S. states, Texas was admitted to the Union with a pre-approved ‘entitlement’ to further divide itself into up to five states should it choose to do so.

However, exactly how this might happen – or whether such a right really still exists – is up for some debate.

https://www.honestaustin.com/texapedia/texas-split-divide-into-five-states/?msclkid=dd1828c1b46311ec8c2b283ed3c74702

boggsrifle Loc: N.E.Nv.

Thank You, wish Texas would try it to find out for sure.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

You're welcome, Boggs. In the future, if you would hit 'quote reply' beneath the post/poster, it will clarify to whom or what you are are responding.

BTW, welcome to OPP.