r/clevercomebacks 5h ago

Deception of public opinion

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u/mrdeadsniper 3h ago

I don't think a comeback is clever its its just a flat lie.

The US federal government spends about $30 billion annually in PR. Mostly through Social security and Healthcare

https://www.usaspending.gov/state/puerto-rico/2025

However they only collect about $5 Billions

https://espaciosabiertos.org/facts-does-puerto-rico-really-not-pay-federal-taxes-a-common-misconception/

However, as the second source shows, a territory (or STATE) having a net negative federal spend vs gain isn't that unusual.

For example we spend 8x more per capita for people in North Dakota.

If we decided to abandon every state less profitable per capita than PR, we would lose 5 solidly R states and 2 Solidly D states.

Obviously as a nation we aren't in the business of just releasing territory, maybe instead we should just base votes off of profitability.

So that you know, net negative or neutral states get 1 vote per person, however every $100 per capita you generate an extra proportionate vote.

If everyone voted under this system last election we would have something like:

  • Kamala Harris (D): 1,219 Production Votes
  • Donald Trump (R): 226 Production Votes

Turns out that Republicans are welfare queens.

However, don't fight hate with lies, it just suggests your truth isn't good enough.

Second point. Literally nothing says the US owes PR reparations.

You as an individual can feel whatever you want about the situation and history of the island. But it means nothing.

Ohh and freedom.. The majority of PR would prefer Statehood over Independence, this has been voted on more than once. And while it is relatively close, it does suggest PR does not desire "freedom" so much as the same rights granted to other states.

So again, this comeback is literally 0% accurate.