What I want to know is if the U.S. territories have petitioned to be
recognized as official states. Hawaii is currently the only island
territory that is officially recognized as a U.S. state (as far as I know).
What exactly are the political roadblocks that are preventing these
territories from becoming U.S. states? I see little to no evidence that the
residents of these territories are opposed to the idea, since it would
instantly elevate their status in the eyes of other Americans and they’re
already U.S. citizens, except for American Samoans (which is downright
horrible). And the sad part is that I actually understand why this is an
issue; I actually didn’t know ANY of this before John Oliver bought it to
my attention, and that really pisses me off. But this is the 21st century,
people should know about this crap. So what’s the excuse? People get riled
up in the mainland states about civil rights and even start freaking riots
over it, but they completely disregard the parts of the U.S. that are in
way worse political/economic condition? That’s crazy. 

“United States of Amoogaboink” XD

Several points:
1. these people can vote for the president if they move to a US state. Eg.
people on Guam, the US virgin islands, puerto rico, etc can vote for the US
president when they move to any US state. There is zero legal restrictions
on them Moving to a US state. they are citizens. It would be the same as a
New yorker moving to florida.

2. They are allowed to vote for their local officials, who 99.99% of the
time control what happens in those islands.

3. These territories do not pay federal income taxes. Quite frankly I would
rather not pay federal income taxes if all I had to give up was voting for
the POTUS.

There is no great injustice being committed on these people. if voting is
so important to them, have them move to any of the 50 US states. Nothing in
the legal code is stopping them. many of them prefer not having to pay
federal income taxes.

You’re not an American. You immigrated here for what reason? To bitch,
complain and berate The U.S.? Who immigrates to a country only to complain
about it? Shut the fuck up you whiny little cocksucker. Someone is going to
kick the ever loving shit out of you, stuff you into a duffle bag and ship
you the fuck back to England. Dumb asshole.

American “Nationals” cannot vote, even though they serve in the American
military and participate in straw poll elections at a higher percentage
than citizens do.

Yes, they can’t vote on presidential elections because they aren’t states.
They are territories. When I first learned about US territories my first
question was “Why don’t they become states?” Well apparently some of them
don’t want to be states. In 2012 Puerto Rico was considering becoming the
51st state but 54 percent of respondents voted against it. Once the
territories want to become a state then they can get all the rights that
come with being a state. Until then they can remain a territory with
limited U.S. rights. The District of Columbia isn’t a state and none if
its residents can vote on the president but I guess that’s something John
Oliver knows but just chose not to think about. Honestly I would love to
see the territories become states. I think they definitely deserve it,
especially American Samoa and Guam.

Voting…
At best: a sick ritual used to fool people into thinking their rulers
represent them.
At worst: a way for some people to commit unjust “legal” aggression against
others.

No one should have the right to vote away my freedoms.

I was never taught about U.S. territories in school. Off the top of my head
I have no idea where these places are… and they’re supplying my military
with soldiers. This is shameful.

How many Canadians were allowed to vote on the new British royal succession
law?

Just a thought.

Requiring an ID to vote is a red herring. It’s a NON-issue which has been
portrayed as a serious problem with society. Most of the developed world,
and even a lot of 3rd world nations require voter ID. So, why is it okay
for them to require it, but it’s some how NOT okay for us to require it?
This is how we make sure the elections are fair. Why is it wrong to want it
to be fair? The whole notion is absurd.

“Anglo Saxon principles” ….Anglo Saxons have been the minority in America
sines the 19th century.

Americans didn’t invent television, John Logie Baird (a Brit) did. John
Oliver should know better.

I admit that I did not know this, and I am very very deeply upset to learn
it. #statehood #votingrights #citizenship 

USA — DISCRIMINATES AGAINTS TERRITORIES ACCORDING TO HIS
ANTHROPOLOGICAL DOCTRINE(RACISM)!!! 

Puertoricans are not Americans by international law how do you think we
have an olympic team??

How do citizens not vote. It can only be racism. I wonder if they were
mainly white what the rule would be

Clayton's Americans…. the Americans you have who aren't Americans.

Puerto Rico has had 4 referendums that I can find over the past 50 years to
see if the citizens want change their territorial status. The first 3, in
67, 93, and 98, the majority voted AGAINST status change. It wasn’t until
just 2012 that a majority of Puerto Rican voters voted in favor (54% to
46%) of ending their territorial status. And, of those who voted to end it,
34% voted free association and nearly 6% voted for complete independence
from the United States.

This video tries to make it sound like these people have been desperate to
become a non-territorial part of the US for decades, when in reality, its
only been a few years that there has been a majority of US territorial
residents (at least in Puerto Rico) who actively wish to change that, and
even among those who would do wish for that change, there’s a
not-insignificant portion that do not wish to be US citizens.

They are also not required to pay taxes if you live in the territories.

Check out this video on YouTube:

I’m from Guam. If the territories cannot vote. Then I don’t think we should
be the territories of the United States 

Why do I feel like half the reason these “territories” aren’t states is
that we’re just too lazy to figure out how to squeeze any more stars on the
flag…

Theres a Constitutional app for that:
become a state. The end.

The biggest rallying cry in the formation of the United States of America,
was no Taxation without Representation. the fact that we are violating that
principle should shake America to its very core.

when there a things like this happening in the world they should be sorted
at a higher priority than gay marriage

As soon as Puerto Rico starts to pay full taxes to the Republic then they
can vote. Many of the US territories cherry pick their dedication to the
Republic.

Most Americans are so dumb they don’t even know their country has
territories and think Samoans and Puerto ricans are immigrants!

US territories are economically better off their their independent
neighbors, and how is anyone surprised that in 1901 people thought like
that, also it should be noted, the islanders were at the time likely
illiterate, and territories without citizenship was so incredibly normal
and widespread no one would have batted an eye. That wont stop rampant
presentism and decontextulization though, because that’s what fake outrage
is all about. Should they vote? Probably it’s complex, should we scoff at
century old laws, maybe, but understand them in their context. Letting
illiterate non-English speakers vote in US elections was so out of the
question in 1901, It’d be like being surprised to see Puritans didn’t
believe in same sex marriage. 

John Oliver is such a patriot, brave man for speaking about all these
issues that are very important. He probably just sees himself as a
comedian, but he’s a fucking hero to be honest.

Guamanian right here. ^^

In America, we have something called the “electoral college”

In this system, the STATES, not the general public, vote for the president.

These territories cannot vote because they are not STATES. If they chose
to apply for statehood, then the people would be able to vote. That’s in
the constitution, folks.

We are so attached to the 50 states concept. Give DC, Puerto Rico, Guam et
al what they deserve. We don’t even have to call them states, just give
them the full legal power.

Puerto Rico is a colony taken by force by the US, who entered here to rape
our women and experiment on our people and guess what, they still
experiment on our people.

We demand our independence and we demand that the US to be OUT of Puerto
Rico, inmidiatly.

They don’t pay federal income taxes.

This probably won’t get seen, but it also has something to do with the fact
that the territories aren’t taxed (at least not for federal income tax).

So they don’t get voting rights, but they don’t have to pay income taxes
either, and can enjoy the benefits of being a citizen and territory of the
US, military, visas, etc.

I hadn’t heard about the american samoa thing though. Thats awful. They
should at least give them the same rights as other territories.

And regarding the VA, its also a disgrace. a veteran’s a veteran.

Usually i agree with John Oliver but not with this one. U.S territories
dont pay federal taxes. They don’t deserve the right to vote and have a say
in our government if theyre not going to contribute taxes like every other
state. That’s why they refuse to be a state. They dont wanna pay taxes for
it. And if i was them i wouldnt either. They get protection from us and are
lucky enough to call themselves U.S. citizen which is appalling since
theyre a different country. 

WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AS A VET I’M SICK OF THIS F/EN MESS THE BANKERS HAVE
DONE TO OUR COUNTRY! AND OBAMA! WHERE THE F- IS OBAMA’S PROOF HE’S A DAMN
AMERICAN???????????????????????????? SEND HIM BACK TO WHERE EVER HE CAME
FROM WE THE PEOPLE WANT OUR COUNTRY BACK!

Acquired them? More like took them …sigh

Well, the threshold reason is that they are not states, and only residents
of the 50 states and District of Columbia can vote in Presidential
elections…

These days it really comes down to the precarious balance of power in
Congress and how one side might be afraid of upsetting the existing balance
(or losing an existing advantage) by admitting a new state or even giving
the District a member of Congress.
Is this guy for real Racism????

I want to live in Thinmintissippiippi.

America the greatest country my foot.

ALL PUERTO RICANS CAN VOTE FOR PRESIDENT IN MAIN LAND BUT NOT IN PR THAT IS
CRAZY,,,

I literally just clicked remind me later on my updates less than a minute
before the reference……….

Just a thought, if we want to keep to 50 states, merge Montana, Wyoming,
North and South Dakota into one state (population less than 2 million) and
give the territories voting rights.

Hands down the most hilarious person ever, yet he still manages to get his
message across. Bravo John Oliver!

I hate to be ‘that’ guy, but in the words of Mark Twain,
“‘If voting made any difference they wouldn’t let us do it.”

One of the many reasons that these territories cannot vote is because
republicans know that the islands are mostly made up of minorities who
would likely vote democrat, making it even more difficult for a republican
nominee to win the presidency, which is why it is unlikely that they will
be voting anytime soon.

Turn out for what – John Oliver 2015

TURN OUT FOR WAT!

Thank you for these stories. I would never have known this if you had not
brought it to my attention.

I wish he would have mentioned if they pay taxes to the U.S.Govt.

Anglo-Saxon principals = Magna Carta, which states that the law is above
everyone including the king. Unique to England/GB.
The US laws don’t apply to US Territories looks exactly like the Roman
system:
Twelve Tables = applies to Roman citizens only, full legal protection under
the law.
Law of Nations = non Roman citizens, which had limited rights compared to
citizens under the Twelve Tables. To get under the Twelve Tables rights/
full-citizenship, they would have to serve in the military.
Pretty weird how the US has a system that is similar to the Roman system
1600 years ago. and its complete bull shit how they lack voting rights or
automatic citizenship.

The main issue here is that when the United States was created they only
had a system of creating new territories that would eventually become
states, and therefore, an integral part of the United States. Cue the
Spanish-American war and America jumps on the imperialism bandwagon to
compete with Europe, where we were assholes to the Philippines for 50
years, then nuked most of the rest of the islands that we got from Spain
for the next 50. The problem is and was at the time it started, of these
territories that we were never going to integrate in the first place and
now we are dealing with the repercussions. In my opinion, statehood should
not be a major factor in elections or representation, being a natural U.S
citizen should. I apologize if this article might be a bit insensitive, but
history is not rainbows and sunshine. But, I am only a North Carolinian so
what do i know.

That Lil Jon Song moment killed me

i have good LOLI

his eyebrows put me off :3

Just wondering what Donald Trump would say about this!

…this is a shame, and very unfair!

When Donald Trump becomes president, the territories will become
concentration camps.

I could watch that moment of the judge getting hot from his singing over
and over again :-)

hope CIA doesn’t kill our favorite luni balloni….

There is no cobras in Colombia ¬¬ and the stethical surgeons used here are
imported from the “”cut my body culture”” of U.S.

I don’t think the newscasters were throwing shade at her. They were
probably referring to her parents moving to a place that maybe didn’t even
speak their language. Puerto Ricans have a parade every year to represent
the pride in their flag becasue they still consider themselves unique from
the US, which might be why some people still think of it as a country. Do
people from St. Thomas or Alaska do a parade to wave their flags? I am just
curious.

I’m pretty sure that British territories have the same lack of rights as
the US territories…

I’m from Puerto Rico, currently serving in the US ARMY. As a kid, I always
though that it sucked for me having to spend all of my life learning about
America, being forced to remember the states, the wars they participated
in, and study pretty much every single thing about them, but the moment I
talk to someone about where I come from, they have this dumbfounded look on
their face and ask “I don’t know where it is.” US territories are forced to
implement US history in the school curriculum, but most Americans don’t
even know ANYTHING relating to the histories of Puerto Rico, Guam, The US
Virgin Islands, and America Somoa. Fuck, they can’t even locate the
territories in the world map. (the proof is in the comments)

I legitimately got pissed at someone because they asked me how did I get my
green card to serve in the armed forces. Are you fucking kidding me?

Other facts not covered by John. Their men MUST register for the selective
service (AKA Draft) and they pay ALL federal taxes that are applicable by
law in their territories. As a US citizen and a US sailor, this disgusts me
and saddens me.

4:50 **meanwhile in the translators episode** “It’s just 200 square miles
of palm trees and storage space. It’s GUAM”- John Oliver, October 2014

Not even sure if it’s worth being a USA citizen anymore. Those territories
should just claim their independence and tell the US to take a hike.

All the territories excluding Puerto Rico should be states or have voting
rights. I exclude Puerto Rico because they don’t pay federal taxes.

In Canada our territories are just different on a territorial/provincial
level.

“The bearer is a United States National and not a United States Citizen.”-
Passport

Wtf… that is so messed up and wrong on so many levels! If you were born
in a RECOGNIZED US country, then automatically that should earn you a full
citizenship. This really is a mess that can be cleared up with a stroke of
a pen!

John Oliver missed that fact that all five territories have voted “NO” to
becoming states. I’m not sure how often they get to vote on this, but I
know Puerto Rico has had this vote at least three times in my lifetime. If
they voted Yes, then we would get more stars on the flag and they would in
turn have to pay federal taxes, but all of the people would receive full
citizenship rights.

The funniest part is just before the video started, I clicked remind me
later on a computer update hahahahahaha

I always find it odd that Puerto Rico sends its own team to the Summer
Olympics. Shouldn’t they be on the U.S. team?

if you think that’s shameful. Look at what America does to the people of
Okinawa.

Yep, those rules are oooollddd!!!!

very interesting! :)

return those territories back to Spain, you stole them with tricks and lies

You live in a country ran like a JAIL
simply waaay too many states,
makes it easier to manipulate all of you
Let all the prisoners live together you’ll have a Riot eventually
or they will start having more rights or become stronger etc etc..
Separate them all though, and you have total control over them
There is no points in having so many dam states,,
We all have same laws in canada other then maybe vancouver
they have legal whore parkings and legal heroin houses.. like wtf why…lol
But ya we have only 10 provinces and 3 territories and it is bigger,,,
Yet in that smaller land you squeezed 52 states?…
and put different laws in each of them…
it’s has if every state was a patient on a different dose of LSD and they
are just waiting to see who is the weakest minded targets to take full
advantage of
lets call it *United of the too many fkin states*

This status has existed since the founding of the country, territories, do
not have a vote until they vote for statehood and it is accepted by the
congress. Puerto Rico has had the opportunity to vote for statehood several
time in the last 50 years they have rejected it every time. They choose
citizenship with all the economic benefits with out the responsibilities.

That turn out for what joke was too good.

Did anyone ever stop to ask the question.. What if they don’t want American
citizenship?

I’m the great-granddaughter of a man from St Thomas USVI and even though I
knew some of the history of the island, I didn’t realize the depths of
disrespect U.S. territories received from the mainland. How fuckin’
disgraceful.

Why should they be able to vote when they are territories. They got to vote
first to either become a State, become independent, or stay the way it is.
Their coconut brain can’t handle that fact that they first need to decide.
If they choose to become a state, then they can vote. If they choose to go,
then why should they vote? If they decide to stay, then they know what
they’re getting themselves into.

Who gives a fuck about Guam?

It’s actually quite sad

Why don’t they just declare independence and sod the USA?

white people saying “puerto ricans have US citizenship, but they’re not
american” ayee, Puerto ricans have fought in every US military conflict
since ww1 for the “freedom” of this country they have died just like black
and white people. what makes you think that we’re not just as americans as
you guys?

“..to partial orgasm.” I am so glad he caught that. I thought I was just
being weird.

I am an Obama supporter, but this is one situation that his administration
should have dealt with better. I am a U.S. vet from Iraqi Freedom and
today I am ashamed of the U.S.A.

America, land of hypocrisy.

I made the mistake of referring to a Puerto Rican as American because she
had a US passport. She angrily lectured me for 5 minutes about how she was
a US Passport holder NOT an American.

This shows how unexceptional US is though Politicians Brag to the end of
the world about this and we swallow this pride lock stock & barrel.