Protestors gather outside congresswoman's office

HARTride 2012 · February 29th, 2008, 02:47 PM

Protestors gather outside congresswoman's office
Thursday, February 28, 2008

HERNANADO COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite was the focus of a protest that took place Thursday in Brooksville.

About 60 protesters from the Puerto Rican community marched down Main Street in Brooksville. They gathered outside of Rep. Brown-Waite's office at the Hernando County courthouse to voice their concerns.

"We've learned that we have to get involved to make things turn around, and this is just the beginning," protester Samuel Lopez said.

The problem started with a press release sent out a month ago by Congresswoman Brown-Waite in response to President Bush's economic stimulus plan. In the release she said she did not believe American taxpayer funds should be sent to foreign citizens who do not pay taxes.

She also said those foreign citizens include residents of Puerto Rico. Residents of Puerto Rico were granted their citizenship in 1917.

"That's all I need," protester Rico Piccard said. "An apology and then we'd be okay."

"Right now the population of Puerto Ricans in the state just in the I-4 corridor is over 680,000, so we're going to mobilize that community and we're going to effect the election," Lopez said.

Most of the people who showed up to protest were from the Orlando area, but there were a handful of demonstrators from Hernando County.

"I feel bad for my father," protester Hector Torres said. "He was from the island. He came to the United States when he was 14 years old and worked his butt off until he retired."

Congresswoman Brown-Waite said the word foreign, to describe the tax status of people living in the American possessions, was entirely accurate. Protestors said more demonstrations are planned.

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2...n's+office

tampasteve · February 29th, 2008, 05:31 PM

Interesting, I hope Congresswoman Waite clarifies her position....

Steve

randommichael · February 29th, 2008, 05:45 PM

I don't understand the issue...

HARTride 2012 · February 29th, 2008, 05:46 PM

Sometimes, these politicians need to "shut up".

Or at least think before they speak.

HARTride 2012 · February 29th, 2008, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randommichael

I don't understand the issue...

Mike,

Basically what Mrs. Waite did was say that the American taxpayers should not have to pay for illegal immigrants. Unfortunately, she extended that "classification" to Puerto Ricans, who gained their citizenship in 1917. And that outraged many Puerto Ricans.

randommichael · February 29th, 2008, 06:05 PM

Do the Puerto Ricans pay taxes? If they do, then they should get the tax rebate. If they don't they shouldn't.

tampamobster21 · March 3rd, 2008, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wslupecki

Sometimes, these politicians need to "shut up".

Or at least think before they speak.

Well Walt I think that they pay people to do their thinking for them.

HARTride 2012 · March 3rd, 2008, 01:51 PM

It's like Rhonda Storms. We elect her, though some are too ill minded to realize that she has done absolutely NOTHING for us. Just rambling her mouth full of insults...

Overall, Waite has done a decent job doing what she was elected to do. But this comment was something she should have better thought through before saying it.

tampasteve · March 3rd, 2008, 03:41 PM

I think that the Congresswoman meant that Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico should not get the tax rebates...at least I hope she meant that. Only federal employees pay the federal income taxes in Puerto Rico, so in theory they should not be eligible to receive tax rebates....now I do not know if they are getting the rebates or not...but that is what I know on the matter.

Steve

HARTride 2012 · March 3rd, 2008, 03:50 PM

I think that is what she meant. But either she didn't clarify it enough, or the Puerto Ricans misinterpreted the message on their part. Either way, the misunderstanding needs to be resolved.

randommichael · March 3rd, 2008, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tampasteve

I think that the Congresswoman meant that Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico should not get the tax rebates...at least I hope she meant that. Only federal employees pay the federal income taxes in Puerto Rico, so in theory they should not be eligible to receive tax rebates....now I do not know if they are getting the rebates or not...but that is what I know on the matter.

Steve

That is how I took the quote. They don't pay Federal taxes, so they shouldn't get a rebate.

February 29th, 2008, 02:47 PM	#1
HARTride 2012 Let's go... Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 10,103 Likes (Received): 24	Protestors gather outside congresswoman's office Protestors gather outside congresswoman's office Thursday, February 28, 2008 HERNANADO COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite was the focus of a protest that took place Thursday in Brooksville. About 60 protesters from the Puerto Rican community marched down Main Street in Brooksville. They gathered outside of Rep. Brown-Waite's office at the Hernando County courthouse to voice their concerns. "We've learned that we have to get involved to make things turn around, and this is just the beginning," protester Samuel Lopez said. The problem started with a press release sent out a month ago by Congresswoman Brown-Waite in response to President Bush's economic stimulus plan. In the release she said she did not believe American taxpayer funds should be sent to foreign citizens who do not pay taxes. She also said those foreign citizens include residents of Puerto Rico. Residents of Puerto Rico were granted their citizenship in 1917. "That's all I need," protester Rico Piccard said. "An apology and then we'd be okay." "Right now the population of Puerto Ricans in the state just in the I-4 corridor is over 680,000, so we're going to mobilize that community and we're going to effect the election," Lopez said. Most of the people who showed up to protest were from the Orlando area, but there were a handful of demonstrators from Hernando County. "I feel bad for my father," protester Hector Torres said. "He was from the island. He came to the United States when he was 14 years old and worked his butt off until he retired." Congresswoman Brown-Waite said the word foreign, to describe the tax status of people living in the American possessions, was entirely accurate. Protestors said more demonstrations are planned. http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2...n's+office __________________ Public Transit As Told By HARTride 2012 - Public Transit told from a unique perspective! - Tampa Bay, New York City, Hampton Roads, Europe \| Follow me on Twitter \| "Like" my page on Facebook

February 29th, 2008, 05:31 PM	#2
tampasteve Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Tampa Posts: 2,362 Likes (Received): 2	Interesting, I hope Congresswoman Waite clarifies her position.... Steve __________________ Homer: Face it, Marge, Catholics rule! We got Boston, South America, the good part of Ireland, and we're makin' serious inroads in Mozambique, baby! "My badger's gonna unleash hell on your ass. Badgertastic!"

February 29th, 2008, 05:46 PM	#4
HARTride 2012 Let's go... Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 10,103 Likes (Received): 24	Sometimes, these politicians need to "shut up". Or at least think before they speak. __________________ Public Transit As Told By HARTride 2012 - Public Transit told from a unique perspective! - Tampa Bay, New York City, Hampton Roads, Europe \| Follow me on Twitter \| "Like" my page on Facebook

March 3rd, 2008, 01:51 PM	#8
HARTride 2012 Let's go... Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 10,103 Likes (Received): 24	It's like Rhonda Storms. We elect her, though some are too ill minded to realize that she has done absolutely NOTHING for us. Just rambling her mouth full of insults... Overall, Waite has done a decent job doing what she was elected to do. But this comment was something she should have better thought through before saying it. __________________ Public Transit As Told By HARTride 2012 - Public Transit told from a unique perspective! - Tampa Bay, New York City, Hampton Roads, Europe \| Follow me on Twitter \| "Like" my page on Facebook

March 3rd, 2008, 03:41 PM	#9
tampasteve Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Tampa Posts: 2,362 Likes (Received): 2	I think that the Congresswoman meant that Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico should not get the tax rebates...at least I hope she meant that. Only federal employees pay the federal income taxes in Puerto Rico, so in theory they should not be eligible to receive tax rebates....now I do not know if they are getting the rebates or not...but that is what I know on the matter. Steve __________________ Homer: Face it, Marge, Catholics rule! We got Boston, South America, the good part of Ireland, and we're makin' serious inroads in Mozambique, baby! "My badger's gonna unleash hell on your ass. Badgertastic!"

February 29th, 2008, 05:45 PM	#3
randommichael Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,414 Likes (Received): 0	I don't understand the issue...

February 29th, 2008, 06:05 PM	#6
randommichael Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,414 Likes (Received): 0	Do the Puerto Ricans pay taxes? If they do, then they should get the tax rebate. If they don't they shouldn't.

March 3rd, 2008, 03:50 PM	#10
HARTride 2012 Let's go... Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 10,103 Likes (Received): 24	I think that is what she meant. But either she didn't clarify it enough, or the Puerto Ricans misinterpreted the message on their part. Either way, the misunderstanding needs to be resolved. __________________ Public Transit As Told By HARTride 2012 - Public Transit told from a unique perspective! - Tampa Bay, New York City, Hampton Roads, Europe \| Follow me on Twitter \| "Like" my page on Facebook

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