51州，52州？

【Comment】

獨立前的領土，必然有個管理當局。改變領土地位的公投要有管理當局的授權。強行舉辦，結果也僅供參考，決定權沒有變動，仍在管理當局手中。不僅獨立，加入某國成為其一部分，也一樣要經過批准。波多黎各45年間舉行4次公投，很活潑。非國家的領土台灣，其管理當局是誰？

但中文報導說，61％選擇建「州」，而BBC報導，2/3選擇「完整的國格」（full statehood），意即獨立。哪裡出問題？一如帝國，聯邦國是個肚子裡擁有許多「國家」（states）的國家（state）。我們在美國總統選舉看出端倪：美國總統是由各成員州（國）所選舉出來的大家長選舉權在50個成員州，不是人民。人民僅決定本州（國）的意向而已。很像神聖羅馬帝國的「選王侯」呢。

想當美國第51州 波多黎各公投過關◎自由時報（2012.11.09）
http://www.libertytimes.com.tw/2012/new/nov/9/today-int3.htm

〔編譯魏國金／綜合七日外電報導〕美國海外屬地波多黎各的人民六日在一項結果不具約束力的公民投票中，決定成為美國第五十一州，然而支持建州的總督弗杜諾卻在選舉中連任失利，敗給支持維持現狀的對手賈西亞。該結果凸顯出波多黎各人在其與美國關係上，立場嚴重分歧。

波多黎各選民在六日的公投上面臨兩個問題︰第一，波多黎各是否應維持目前為美國自治邦聯的地位，近五十四％的選民，亦即逾九十萬人說不，有四十六％選擇維持現狀，亦即，該島島民是美國公民，但不能投票選總統，同時在美國眾議院中僅有一席無表決權代表。

不管第一題回答什麼，選民被要求在第二個問題的三個選項中做出選擇︰建州、獨立，或賦予近四百萬島民更多自主性的「主權自由聯盟」。這三個選項其實都是改變現狀，結果，僅一百三十萬選民表態，其中有八十萬人，亦即六十一％選擇建州。

45年來四次公投 首次多數支持建州

這是過去四十五年來，針對該議題舉辦的四次公投中，首度有多數支持建州。公投結果將送至白宮與國會高層，再由他們決定是否展開可能讓波多黎各加入美國的程序。美國總統歐巴馬曾表示，他支持波多黎各人的意願。波多黎各任何狀態的改變，都必須獲得美國國會同意，而該公投並非由美國國會授權，因此僅具參考性質。

波多黎各在一八九八年的美西戰爭，被西班牙割讓給美國，一九一七年島民成為美國公民，一九五二年在自治邦聯地位下，獲得較大程度的自主權。島嶼地位一直是波多黎各的主要政治議題，自一九六七年以來的公投，選民都傾向維持美國自治邦聯的現狀。

多數的波多黎各人無須繳納聯邦所得稅，但須付社會安全稅、可享聯邦福利津貼。波多黎各累積的債務達到六百七十億美元，是美國管轄地區中欠債最高的。

支持這項公投的新進步黨總督弗杜諾七日以些微差距連任失利，他承認被人民民主黨的對手賈西亞擊敗。在開出的九十六％選票中，力主維持邦聯現狀的賈西亞得票率為四十七．八五％，弗杜諾則為四十七．○四％。

Puerto Rico wants to become the 51st state of the US◎BBC（2012.11.07）
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-20238272

Voters in Puerto Rico have supported a non-binding referendum to become a full US state.

The measure will require approval from the US Congress, but President Barack Obama has said he will respect the vote.

The island is currently a US territory, which uses the dollar and whose citizens travel on US passports.

But it does not return senators to the US Congress and is represented in Washington by a non-voting delegate.

Almost 80% of the island's electorate took part in the referendum, the fourth in the past 45 years.

With almost all the votes counted, almost 54% voted to change the island's relationship with the US.

And in reply to a second question on what future they favoured, nearly two-thirds wanted full statehood.

If Congress grants its approval, Puerto Ricans would have the right to vote in all US elections, but would also have to pay federal taxes, something at present they are excused from.

The island came under US control in 1898 when Spain lost the island at the end of the Spanish-American war.

Ties were strengthened in 1917 when Puerto Ricans became US citizens and were allowed to serve in the military.

'No other option'

There are now almost a million more Puerto Ricans in the US than on the island.

Supreme Court judge Sonia Sotomayor, singer Jennifer Lopez and the former jazz musician Tito Puente are all of Puerto Rican descent, though all three were born in New York.

Ties between the island and the mainland are strong and many on the island considered it inevitable that a full union be requested.

A young voter in the capital San Juan, Jerome Lefebre, said: "Puerto Rico has to be a state.  There is no other option.

"We're doing okay, but we could do better.  We would receive more benefits, a lot more financial help."

But that opinion was rejected by Ramon Lopez de Azua: "Puerto Rico's problem is not its political status.

"I think that the United States is the best country in the world, but I am Puerto Rican first."

The island has been hit hard by the current recession - it has debts of $68bn (£42bn) and unemployment is more than 13%.

President Barack Obama, who visited the island last year, has said he will respect the will of Puerto Ricans if there is a clear majority.

Any change would require approval by the US Congress.

Continue reading the main story

Puerto Rico

• In 1898 the Spanish lost the Caribbean Island at the end of the Spanish-American war and it came under US control
• In 1917 its people became US citizens - they are allowed to serve in the military but still do not have the right to vote in US presidential elections
• The country is a self-governing territory of the US but the US Congress and the president have ultimate control, providing social services, foreign policy and defence
• They have a congressional representative who does not have voting rights
• Becoming a state would see the Puerto Ricans having to pay federal taxes - currently they are exempt - but they would have the same rights as those on the mainland
• Puerto Rico profile