WHY STOP AT 50 ?

WHY STOP AT 50 ?

I guess the title of this piece could be a little misleading, because I’m not talking about 50 years of age (although, it’s a great idea for yet another article), I speaking about 50 states. I say, get out the sewing kit and lets add a few more stars to old glory.

In the early years, our country grew quickly, and why not, we had a large continent to expand into. My feeling is there is no reason to stop just because we annexed states from sea to shining sea. We were on quite a roll there for a while, but I guess adding states was a little easier back then. Today it seems that worldwide, everyone has pretty well staked their claims and drawn out there maps and borders. Today, new countries to buy or lease are harder to find than good beach front properties. Also, there are not many bargain priced real estate deals out there today like Long Island, and the Louisiana Purchase.

Most of the country sized real estate world wide is just not up for sale by owner. (maybe we should try Century 21 ) Also, since we really never pushed the military expansion button, our options are thin right now. We only want new states that want to be part of the U.S. anyway. (see my article on break-away republic). I’m not suggesting an Imperialistic expansion, just checking our options. We should send out foreign recruiters (less the rifles this time) to sign on some new blood.

Of course we could probably pick up Puerto Rico as a full state, if we tried. (great vacation place). In fact, the referendum on statehood has been voted on several times and only narrowly defeated down there. Also, I think Cuba could easily come our way in the next 20 years, especially with the large number of Cubans that already live here (I think they would like that) Thru an old (and contested) treaty we already have a perpetual lease on some prime beachfront land there for over a century now at Gitmo. It was originally secured as a coaling and naval station, and is currently a U.S. Naval base (our oldest overseas naval base, even though we don’t use coal in shipping anymore) covering approx. 45 sq miles. Let’s wait and see what happens after those fun loving Castro brothers are pushing Daisy’s.

It’s also my bet that we can recruit Israel (we are huge contributors to their military budget) and Great Britain (plus they already speak the language). We are close allies, and our peoples have a long history together. As a side note, the last time I checked, no one has claimed the North Pole yet (although I hear the Russians are working on it). Don’t laugh, scientists estimate the Arctic seabed and subsoil may account for 25 per cent of undiscovered oil and gas reserves. ( I told you this land rush idea of mine could really pay off).

Let’s face it, most of the world’s economy is hurting right now. If we were smart and kept a little powder dry, this would be a great time to go bargain shopping for a few new states. (Buy low..sell high, I always say) If memory serves me, we purchased Alaska from the Russians when their economy was faltering back in 1867 for about $1.94 per acre (even adjusted for inflation that was a great deal). The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 added a great deal of land mass and what would become approx 15 new states for about 15 million dollars, another bargain. Maybe we can go back and read the fine print of that deal, because it was widely believed that the purchase included the now Canadian provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan (of course we would have to rename them as New Montana, There is also some desire in the southern Canadian providences to annex into the states.) Land deals became fewer and far between when we bought the U.S. Virgin Island from Denmark in 1917.
Guam became an unincorporated U.S. Territory in 1950. (Sorry not a state)

Over the centuries the world map has seen a lot of change, both in the names of regions and the constantly shifting borders. Time has a way of re-writing most things. ( A quick look at early maps will bear that point out) Maybe our country doesn’t need to stop at our shore lines. The British Empire once spanned the globe from Hong Kong to Africa. In the early 20’s the empire covered about one sixth of the earths land mass, including India, four self-governing countries known as dominions, and dozens of colonies and territories. ( Not to mention, our own little scuffle with them over land and taxes)

They say life is better after 50. Many countries around the world are becoming more “Americanized”, we must be doing something right. I think we should break out the check book and start playing global monopoly again by adding a few new states, when the gett’in is good. Not only that, we are running out of room for McDonalds and Starbucks locations. Looks to me like we will have to either broaden our horizons, start building sand islands off the coast (Like Dubai), or start thinking about our first lunar colony. ( After all, we did get there first. Better claim it quick, before someone else plants their flag)

So, here’s to the next 50 states.. By the way, There is there any truth to the rumor that Taiwan might be on the market ??
P.I.B.
Please feel free to contact me at pooritalainboy@gmail.com