Equal Rights for US Citizens/US Veterans in Puerto Rico – By Dennis Freytes dennisfreytes@hotmail.com

09/25/2022 | Filed under: Economía,Gobierno,Washington DC | Posted by: Francisco

Equal Rights for US Citizens/US Veterans in Puerto Rico – By Dennis Freytes dennisfreytes@hotmail.com

Equal Rights for US Citizens-US Veterans–Puerto Ricans!

Today, The US Federal Government undemocratically controls the US Territory of Puerto Rico–with more fellow US Citizens-US Veterans than 20 States– that have NO Federal “consent of the governed” as they demand a Non-Territorial /Colonial Status; Equal Civil Rights-Fairness; revocation of unjust Laws!

Facts–Since 1898, millions of US Citizens (Puerto Ricans) have– NO Vote for US President; NO just Representation in the US Congress; NO Parity in Federal Programs-Laws-Funding; NO permanent statutory US Citizenship (even if residing in a State); a 2d Class US Citizenship… Plus, the Federal Government– controls PR’s Borders, Laws, Currency, Security, Economy, Trade, Market-Economy… as the US Constitution isn’t fully or justly applied to Puerto Ricans.

Besides, Puerto Ricans face a magna CRISIS and Exodus to the States–which major ROOT components are–Economic; Fiscal; Infrastructure; Social; and Federal Status—where each PART affects the other; the Federal undemocratic Territorial Status affects everything. Federal discrimination brings instability; ties PR hands to fairly compete-grow the Economy; limits progress; goes against our Democratic Ideals!

The Federal Government should be the Servant of ALL the People; NOT the Master of some!

The People with Equal Rights come first, not a “separate & unequal” Status! Remember, in our great US Republic, the power resides with all “We the People” (made up by individuals)–per our Declaration of Independence that calls for “Consent of the Governed”; our noble US Constitution that calls for Equal Rights-Fairness, and a Republican form of Government or a Representative Democracy (“a Government of the People, by the People, and for the People”–Lincoln)! NO Federal Vote; NO Democracy!

Even if one US Citizen (Individual) doesn’t have full Rights, is one too many!

The FEDERAL GOVERNMENT can end this unjust inequality now, but, has not done so! Instead, some provide ageless EXCUSES that create a double standard that weren’t applied to other US Territories before Puerto Rico; politically distort; are closet racists; misinform. This creates stalemate; perpetuates Federal oppression which is against the highest precepts-ideals of our Representative Democracy!

“You can’t have it both ways, either you support Equal Rights or you allow Federal discrimination!”

Silence to discrimination; supports injustice!

FIX: Our Federal Government (Legislative, Executive, & Judicial) must ensure Equal Rights; let Puerto Ricans VOTE in a Plebiscite, with clearly defined non-territorial constitutional options-which only are:

*STATEHOOD MEANS: Admission to our diverse “UNION of STATES”– under the Federal US Constitution/Laws/Democracy; equal US Citizenship with full rights, benefits, and responsibilities…

With PR-STATE Identity; Constitution; Flag; Sovereignty… as other States & other US Citizens have.

*INDEPENDENCE- MEANS: Puerto Rican National Sovereignty with PR Constitution/Laws & PR Citizenship; gradual loss of statutory US Citizenship, Rights, and Benefits…

**INDEPENDENCE with PACT of Free Association- MEANS Puerto Rican National Sovereignty with PR Constitution/Laws & PR Citizenship; gradual loss of statutory US Citizenship, Rights, and Benefits; a negotiated PACT(on Defense, Trade, Other…) that can be terminated by either side…

Best Option: “PR EQUALITY & PROGRESS with STATEHOOD!”

In a UNION-each State is stronger than by itself; complements others, with progress–for the Good of All!

“En la UNIÓN está la Fuerza!”

Only Statehood guarantees a permanent US Citizenship! All statutory US Citizens residing in the STATES have a stake in the fight as they can lose their non-permanent statutory US Citizenship (per Territorial Clause/1917 Jones Act) under INDEPENDENCE–Free Association. THUS, the US Congress must let them Vote in any Plebiscite or allow for State Naturalization (per 14^th Amendment)…

Puerto Ricans Sacrifice & Contribute to our USA since 1513!

US Puerto Ricans are about 10m strong, (most live in the States)-are integrated as the 2d largest US Hispanic Group that sacrifice; greatly contribute (in all fields of endeavor) to our US. Since 1898, Puerto Ricans patriotically shed sweat, blood, and tears for our US Flag (WWI; WW-II; Korea; Vietnam; Global War on Terrorism…). PR pays more Federal Taxes than 6 States; is a US Market that creates Hundreds of Thousands of Jobs… PR Ancestors (1^st Governor of PR & Crew) came to Florida (in 1513)–107 years before the Pilgrims; others fought in the US War of Independence (1776)…; help develop our now USA.

The Federal Government must let the People Vote; Equal Rights is at stake!

US Citizens in Puerto Rico want to end the Territorial (Colonial) Status as they Voted in certified local Plebiscites (2012, 2017, & 2020) for Statehood; against the current Territorial Status. Independence got only 2-5% of the Vote… Puerto Ricans cherish their US Citizenship, and have proven loyalty to our US.

“We must Guard against a Tyranny of a Majority!”

Hispanic-Puerto Ricans are being treated (by the Federal Government) like the allegory (Animal Farm)–“All Animals (People) are Equal; but, some Animals (People) are more Equal than others!” Today, the US Constitution does not fully apply to US Citizens-US Veterans in Puerto Rico, as the Federal Government has not let the People Vote (for over 125+ years) to end Federal oppression…!

“Equality for a more perfect UNION!”

In our evolving US Constitution, it’s clear that the Power should reside with “We the People” (made up by Individuals). However, our Federal Government incongruently does not act to end Puerto Rico’s Federal undemocratic Territorial Status; amend or revoke unjust Laws, like–

The trite Territorial Clause (1787) that states: “US Congress shall have the Power to dispose of and make all rules and regulations pertaining to the Territory or other Properties that belongs to the US.” *It doesn’t mention that the Federal Government can take Individual Rights & Benefits away…
The racist “Insular Cases” (1901-1925+)–, states–Puerto Rico is an “unincorporated” “US Territory; more foreign than domestic, belongs to, but, is not part of the US (soil)”: resulting in a permanent “Separate and Un-Equal Status”. *These nonsensical double standards were NOT applied to other US Territories or US Citizens before Puerto Rico; are NOT in the US Constitution, but, were made Law by racist Judges (1901-25); are condemned as unconstitutional by Justice Gorsuch and Others who support revoking them…
Patriots cry to Arms-Civic Action for Equality!

THE TIME IS NOW for Civic ACTION-get our Federal Government to ensure Equal Civil Rights; fully and justly apply the US Constitution to all “We the People” (should include Puerto Ricans)–

(1) Do a binding nonpartisan Plebiscite on viable Non-Territorial Options-Statehood vs Independence or

Independence with a Pact of Free Association-Pass HR 8393-Puerto Rico Status Act

(2) Revoke un-just Laws (like the racist “Insular Cases”), and Incorporate Puerto Rico.

(3) Amend US Constitution with a clear and just “Citizen’s Equality-Protection” Clause…

(4) Update Territorial Clause (with more Rights & Status limit).

UNITED-with Truth, Reason, Justice, and Civic Action for the Good of All!

*BY: DENNIS O. FREYTES (MPA, MHR, BBA); FL Veterans Hall of Fame; Community Servant Leader

**According to legal experts: Types-Sources-Basis of US Citizenship are:

Individual Birthright Citizenship-“jus soli” (right of soil)–per the 14th Amendment (States: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States…are citizens of the US and of the State wherein they reside.” (Doesn’t mention Territories…) (unquestioned permanent US Citizenship)
Naturalization Citizenship—process through which immigrants from other countries can also become citizens if they wish to … (per 14th Amendment) (unquestioned permanent US Citizenship)
Acquired Citizenship— acquiring citizenship from US Citizen Parents; by descent from a State’s national (jus sanguinis)… (per US Congress-8 USC Code)
Group Statutory US Citizenship– per the US Territorial Clause; Insular Cases (1901-1925+); Jones Act (1917); 8 USC Code §1402 (which can be amended or revoked)–ALL end upon Independence…*NOTE: The US Supreme Court (Insular Cases) has established that the US Constitution doesn’t fully apply to Puerto Rico, except for some broad rights that have not been defined. (Harris v Rosario-1980)…
«Judge on MERIT based on empirical FACTS; FAIRNESS!»

**Our noble, but imperfect US Constitution that is left to some interpretation should be updated to clearly ensure it is just; fully and equally applied to all “We the People”, not just some!

ENCLOSURES

*Take Civic ACTION for Equal Civil Rights- CONTACT: US President and US Congress; MEDIA…