50 or 52? how many United States are there.

[stormbind]

I'd forgotten about Pennsylvania, sorry about the confusion.

You were instantly forgiven (it's not like the place was ever important) but I still think it inaccurate to sub-categorise the 'Commonwealths'. Are you absolutely certain that Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is not simply the full name of a state, commonly shortened to Pennsylvania out of convenience?

 

[The Yankee]

It would have to be. Puerto Rico's a commonwealth and they don't get congressional reps nor do they pay federal taxes, IIRC.

 

[Cuivienen]

Terms like 'Commonwealth' and 'Dependency' and 'Territory' have no real meaning, they're just nice words. In practice, there is no difference between the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the Territory of Guam. (The only exception is the Incorporated Territory of Palmyra Atoll, as the 'Incorporated' means that the Constitution is in full force there.)

 

[The Yankee]

That's too bad. I wanted to take a winter vacation to the Palmyra Atoll and totally throw out the part about a fair and speedy trial.

 

[The Last Conformist]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guantanamo_Bay (look in History)

Near as I can tell, the word "protectorate" refers to Cuba at the time, not to Guantánamo.

 

[Cuivienen]

You're right. Now I've been wrong twice in one thread. I should stop posting in this thread.

 

[Birdjaguar]

In the 80s there was a movement to make NYC the 51st state. Naturally, the rest of the state opposed it strongly; they didn't want to lose the tax revenue.

 

[Taliesin]

In the 80s there was a movement to make NYC the 51st state. Naturally, the rest of the state opposed it strongly; they didn't want to lose the tax revenue.

Likewise, many people say Toronto should be an eleventh province. I wouldn't call it a movement yet, though.

 

[Cuivienen]

In the 80s there was a movement to make NYC the 51st state. Naturally, the rest of the state opposed it strongly; they didn't want to lose the tax revenue.

In the 1840s IIRC there was a movement for NYC to declare independence from the entire US. It also never came to pass.

 

[Babbler]

Marge Simpsons: Why does flag have 49 stars?

Grampa Simpson: I die before I recognize Missuria!

IN the United States of America, there are 50 states with the rights, privilege and duties of being a said state of the union; it does not matter what they call themselves. In addition, there is the Federal District of Washington directly administered by the federal government with limited self-government; and various insular areas, ranging from the commonwealths to unincorporated, uninhabited territories.

You're right. Now I've been wrong twice in one thread. I should stop posting in this thread.

I been wrong three times in a thread. Did I stop my hands from typing more wrong and ill-informed opinions onto the internet? Hell No! I just continued onward oblivious and blind to whatever the world thinks of me.

That's the Netcitizen way!

 

[Riesstiu IV]

I can't believe this thread generated 5 pages of debate.

 

[Birdjaguar]

Personally, I'd like to see NYC get statehood and California split into north and south to make two states. Then we'd be at 52 until the Puerto Ricans come around and decide they want in too.

 

[Birdjaguar]

I can't believe this thread generated 5 pages of debate.

It's less intense than god and evolution and perfect for casual posting while doing other things. Can you say "maps".

 

[The Yankee]

In the 1840s IIRC there was a movement for NYC to declare independence from the entire US. It also never came to pass.

There have been people calling for New York City to be its own state. Though it'd require Congress or the permission of the state. It's not unprecedented. But it'll never happen. Albany uses us as a cash cow.

D'oh...been posted already. Oh well, I think one of the city councilmen here favor statehood.

 

[The Yankee]

You're right. Now I've been wrong twice in one thread. I should stop posting in this thread.

It's fun being wrong! I do it all the time!


Additionally, we have our reservations, which are supposed to be sovereign except for foreign affairs or something.

 

[blindside]

There have been people calling for New York City to be its own state. Though it'd require Congress or the permission of the state. It's not unprecedented. But it'll never happen. Albany uses us as a cash cow.

They should take upstate/western New York, western Pennsylvania and southern Jersey and combine them all to make one state.

 

[The Yankee]

That would be nice and discontiguous.

Though I am rather tired of upstaters thinking they subsidize the city. I mean, DC does the same thing to us, so we already have that. Don't need Albany piling on.

 

[strategycat]

There are 50 states. There's 52 if you count Britain and Israel as slave states...

Izzrael a slave state of the US? I think you got your facts backward. (See my sig for some explanations)

 

[The Yankee]

Yeah, Israel runs everything... And that ends there.

Though perhaps we should incorporate some more states. Puerto Rico, New York City or whatever the heck it'd be called (I vote, if it happens, to kick the rest of the state out of New York), maybe DC wants a shot at it....

 

[Cuivienen]

I can't believe this thread generated 5 pages of debate.

Debate? I hardly call five pages of spam and people agreeing with each other debate.


And the problem with an upstate NY/western PA/southern NJ state is that it adds another 2 Republican Senators Though perhaps the two Republicans now from PA would lose their seats (certainly Santorum would).