No Federal Vote-NO Democracy! See FACTS below–

SUMMARY: -Equal US Citizenship-Rights for Puerto Ricans-US Veterans, now!-
Since 1898, the US Federal Government undemocratically controls the US Territory of Puerto Rico (PR)-(with more US Citizens than 21 States)– that have NO Federal “consent of the governed”, as Patriots demand Equal Civil Rights-Fairness; revocation of unjust Laws; a Non-Territorial/Non-Colonial Status!

FACTS: Today, millions of 2d class US Citizens-US Veterans in Puerto Rico (PR) (part of “We the People”) have: NO Vote for US President; NO just Representation in US Congress; NO Parity in Federal Laws, Programs, or Funding (like in Social Security, MEDICARE, MEDICAID, Veterans, Infrastructure, Education, Emergency…) ; NO permanent statutory US Citizenship (even if moving to a State)…!

Plus, the Federal Government controls PR’s Borders, Currency, Laws, Security, Economy, Trade, etc.–under the unjust/ trite Territorial Clause (1787); racist Insular Cases (1901-1925); other un-equal Laws—where the US Constitution is not fully applied to Puerto Rico! (Unfairly going on for over 125+ Years)!

Besides, Puerto Ricans face a magna CRISIS and Exodus to the States–which major ROOT components are-Economic; Fiscal; Infrastructure; Social; and Territorial Status—where each PART affects the other. The Federal undemocratic Territorial status affects everything; brings instability…; ties PR’s Hands to fairly compete-grow the Economy; limits progress; goes against our US Democratic founding principles!
The Federal Government should be the Servant of ALL the People; NOT the Master of some!
The People with Equal US Citizenship/ Rights come first, not a “separate & unequal” Status! In our 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”; 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 results in NO Democracy!
Even if one US Citizen (Individual) doesn’t have full Rights, it’s one too many!
The FEDERAL GOVERNMENT can end this unjust inequity now, but, has not done so! Instead, some politically distort; provide biased EXCUSES…; are closet racists; create a double standard that wasn’t applied to other US Territories before PR. This results in a stalemate that perpetuates Federal subjugation!
Silence to discrimination; supports injustice!
You can’t have it both ways; either support Equal Rights or you allow Federal discrimination!
FIX: Our Federal Government must focus on Equal US Citizenship-Rights for All (under our US Flag); LET THE PEOPLE VOTE-conduct a defined/ binding PR Plebiscite with non-Territorial options:
• STATEHOOD-MEANS: Admission to our diverse “UNION of STATES”– under 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 Rico National Sovereignty; PR Constitution/Laws, PR Citizenship…; with loss of US Constitution & statutory US Citizenship, Rights, and Benefits…
• INDEPENDENCE with Free Association PACT-MEANS: Puerto Rico National Sovereignty; PR Constitution/ Laws, PR Citizenship…; with loss of US Constitution & statutory US Citizenship, Rights, and Benefits… But, with a negotiated/limited PACT between Independent Nations on Terms (like trade, defense, etc.) 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 statutory US Citizenship as the US Constitution/Laws end upon Independence. Statutory US Citizens (by Territorial Clause/Jones Act-1917), in the STATES, have a Stake in this just Fight– as they can lose their non-permanent statutory US Citizenship! THUS, the US Congress must let them Vote in any Plebiscite or naturalize those in the States (per 14th Amendment).
US Citizens in PR have voted to END the Territorial-Colonial Status, per local Plebiscites (2012, 2017 & 2020) where Statehood won; Independence got only 2-5% of the Vote… Puerto Ricans have proven loyalty to our US; cherish their US Citizenship! Yet, Congress doesn’t do Right for Equal Citizenship!
Puerto Ricans Sacrifice & Contribute to our USA since 1513!
Hispanic US Puerto Ricans (PR) are about 10m strong (most live in the States) as they are integrated; greatly sacrifice, and loyally contribute (in all fields of endeavor) to our diverse USA; patriotically shed sweat, blood, and tears for our US Flag (WWI; WW-II; Korea; Vietnam; Global War on Terrorism…). Also, PR pays more Federal Taxes than 6 States; is a US Market that creates over a million US Jobs… PR Ancestors (1st Governor of PR/Crew) came to Florida (in 1513)-107 years before the Pilgrims…; others fought in the US War of Independence (1776)…till today. PR helps develop and defend our now USA!
“We must Guard against a Tyranny of a Majority!”
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 PR’s Federal undemocratic Territorial Status; or amend/ revoke unjust-unequal Laws that limit Progress–like the:
• Territorial Clause (1787) 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.”
• Insular Cases (1901-1925+ based on racism)-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” which goes against American values; a Representative Democracy!
This nonsensical/unjust Legal gibberish are double standards NOT applied to other US Territories before PR; isn’t in US Constitution; ; are based on Racism by same Court of “Plessy vs Ferguson”…; condemned as unconstitutional by Justice Gorsuch, Sotomayor, and many Others– who support revoking them.
• Jones (Merchant Marine) Act (1920)—unfairly imposes higher costs on Puerto Rican Consumer Goods; badly hurts the Economy/progress; as a majority of States doesn’t pay this unfair hidden tax.
“Equality for a more perfect UNION!”
Today, 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 (since 1898-for over 125+ years) to end Federal repression…!
“We the People”-Patriots call to Civic Action for PR FAIRNESS-JUSTICE!
THE TIME IS NOW: demand our Federal Government take ACTION to ensure Equality; Democracy:
(1) Do a PR Plebiscite on viable Non-Territorial Options—STATEHOOD vs INDEPENDENCE vs
INDEPENDENCE-Free Association PACT. Let the People VOTE to end the Colonial Status!
(2) Revoke un-just Laws (like the racist “Insular Cases”, 1920 Jones Act…); Incorporate Puerto Rico.
(3) Amend US Constitution to clearly protect Equal Civil Rights-Fairness for ALL “We The People”…
(4) Update the Territorial Clause; provide more Rights & a Status limit; end unjust Federal domination…
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)
NOTE: US Citizenship Main Types/Sources- Summary:
• 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.” (unquestioned permanent US Citizenship) (US Territories are NOT mentioned or included…)
• 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 (“jus sanguinis”-right of blood by descent) – those born in other Countries that acquired US citizenship from their US Citizen Parents-… (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)–Ends 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)…
*Take Civic ACTION for Equal Civil Rights- CONTACT: US President and US Congress; MEDIA…
**US Congress: https://contactingcongress.org/ **US President: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

«Patriots call to Civic Action–Equal Civil Rights, now!»
US Senator Linsey Graham (R-SC) said that he is against Statehood for the US Territory of Puerto Rico (with more US Citizens-US Veterans than 21 States and which is under un-democratic Federal Control…) because they will vote Democratic… This is untrue; a generalization or stereotype that smacks of racism or Federal discrimination against Hispanics-Puerto Ricans!!!

All/Patriots need to take Civic ACTION in support of Equal US Citizenship-Civil Rights/equity for all «WE THE PEOPLE»; an essential «cornerstone» founding principle of our US Constitutional Representative Democracy form of Government!

No Federal Vote-NO Democracy! See FACTS below–

SUMMARY: -Equal US Citizenship-Rights for Puerto Ricans-US Veterans, now!-
Since 1898, the US Federal Government undemocratically controls the US Territory of Puerto Rico (PR)-(with more US Citizens than 21 States)– that have NO Federal “consent of the governed”, as Patriots demand Equal Civil Rights-Fairness; revocation of unjust Laws; a Non-Territorial/Non-Colonial Status!

FACTS: Today, millions of 2d class US Citizens-US Veterans in Puerto Rico (PR) (part of “We the People”) have: NO Vote for US President; NO just Representation in US Congress; NO Parity in Federal Laws, Programs, or Funding (like in Social Security, MEDICARE, MEDICAID, Veterans, Infrastructure, Education, Emergency…) ; NO permanent statutory US Citizenship (even if moving to a State)…!

Plus, the Federal Government controls PR’s Borders, Currency, Laws, Security, Economy, Trade, etc.–under the unjust/ trite Territorial Clause (1787); racist Insular Cases (1901-1925); other un-equal Laws—where the US Constitution is not fully applied to Puerto Rico! (Unfairly going on for over 125+ Years)!

Besides, Puerto Ricans face a magna CRISIS and Exodus to the States–which major ROOT components are-Economic; Fiscal; Infrastructure; Social; and Territorial Status—where each PART affects the other. The Federal undemocratic Territorial status affects everything; brings instability…; ties PR’s Hands to fairly compete-grow the Economy; limits progress; goes against our US Democratic founding principles!
The Federal Government should be the Servant of ALL the People; NOT the Master of some!
The People with Equal US Citizenship/ Rights come first, not a “separate & unequal” Status! In our 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”; 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 results in NO Democracy!
Even if one US Citizen (Individual) doesn’t have full Rights, it’s one too many!
The FEDERAL GOVERNMENT can end this unjust inequity now, but, has not done so! Instead, some politically distort; provide biased EXCUSES…; are closet racists; create a double standard that wasn’t applied to other US Territories before PR. This results in a stalemate that perpetuates Federal subjugation!
Silence to discrimination; supports injustice!
You can’t have it both ways; either support Equal Rights or you allow Federal discrimination!
FIX: Our Federal Government must focus on Equal US Citizenship-Rights for All (under our US Flag); LET THE PEOPLE VOTE-conduct a defined/ binding PR Plebiscite with non-Territorial options:
• STATEHOOD-MEANS: Admission to our diverse “UNION of STATES”– under 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 Rico National Sovereignty; PR Constitution/Laws, PR Citizenship…; with loss of US Constitution & statutory US Citizenship, Rights, and Benefits…
• INDEPENDENCE with Free Association PACT-MEANS: Puerto Rico National Sovereignty; PR Constitution/ Laws, PR Citizenship…; with loss of US Constitution & statutory US Citizenship, Rights, and Benefits… But, with a negotiated/limited PACT between Independent Nations on Terms (like trade, defense, etc.) 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 statutory US Citizenship as the US Constitution/Laws end upon Independence. Statutory US Citizens (by Territorial Clause/Jones Act-1917), in the STATES, have a Stake in this just Fight– as they can lose their non-permanent statutory US Citizenship! THUS, the US Congress must let them Vote in any Plebiscite or naturalize those in the States (per 14th Amendment).
US Citizens in PR have voted to END the Territorial-Colonial Status, per local Plebiscites (2012, 2017 & 2020) where Statehood won; Independence got only 2-5% of the Vote… Puerto Ricans have proven loyalty to our US; cherish their US Citizenship! Yet, Congress doesn’t do Right for Equal Citizenship!
Puerto Ricans Sacrifice & Contribute to our USA since 1513!
Hispanic US Puerto Ricans (PR) are about 10m strong (most live in the States) as they are integrated; greatly sacrifice, and loyally contribute (in all fields of endeavor) to our diverse USA; patriotically shed sweat, blood, and tears for our US Flag (WWI; WW-II; Korea; Vietnam; Global War on Terrorism…). Also, PR pays more Federal Taxes than 6 States; is a US Market that creates over a million US Jobs… PR Ancestors (1st Governor of PR/Crew) came to Florida (in 1513)-107 years before the Pilgrims…; others fought in the US War of Independence (1776)…till today. PR helps develop and defend our now USA!
“We must Guard against a Tyranny of a Majority!”
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 PR’s Federal undemocratic Territorial Status; or amend/ revoke unjust-unequal Laws that limit Progress–like the:
• Territorial Clause (1787) 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.”
• Insular Cases (1901-1925+ based on racism)-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” which goes against American values; a Representative Democracy!
This nonsensical/unjust Legal gibberish are double standards NOT applied to other US Territories before PR; isn’t in US Constitution; ; are based on Racism by same Court of “Plessy vs Ferguson”…; condemned as unconstitutional by Justice Gorsuch, Sotomayor, and many Others– who support revoking them.
• Jones (Merchant Marine) Act (1920)—unfairly imposes higher costs on Puerto Rican Consumer Goods; badly hurts the Economy/progress; as a majority of States doesn’t pay this unfair hidden tax.
“Equality for a more perfect UNION!”
Today, 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 (since 1898-for over 125+ years) to end Federal repression…!
“We the People”-Patriots call to Civic Action for PR FAIRNESS-JUSTICE!
THE TIME IS NOW: demand our Federal Government take ACTION to ensure Equality; Democracy:
(1) Do a PR Plebiscite on viable Non-Territorial Options—STATEHOOD vs INDEPENDENCE vs
INDEPENDENCE-Free Association PACT. Let the People VOTE to end the Colonial Status!
(2) Revoke un-just Laws (like the racist “Insular Cases”, 1920 Jones Act…); Incorporate Puerto Rico.
(3) Amend US Constitution to clearly protect Equal Civil Rights-Fairness for ALL “We The People”…
(4) Update the Territorial Clause; provide more Rights & a Status limit; end unjust Federal domination…
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)
NOTE: US Citizenship Main Types/Sources- Summary:
• 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.” (unquestioned permanent US Citizenship) (US Territories are NOT mentioned or included…)
• 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 (“jus sanguinis”-right of blood by descent) – those born in other Countries that acquired US citizenship from their US Citizen Parents-… (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)–Ends 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)…
*Take Civic ACTION for Equal Civil Rights- CONTACT: US President and US Congress; MEDIA…
**US Congress: https://contactingcongress.org/ **US President: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact