Political Questions

There are slightly over 100,000 residents of the Virgin Islands. There are probably somewhere near 100,000 different opinions on your questions. As an example, some people here wish to disassociate themselves completely with the United States. Other people from here are currently serving in Iraq.

Read the opinion sections in the online newspapers, and you should get a taste. You can listen, I believe, to some stations online, but I don't have the links.

Hi There,

Here are two radio stations on STT you can listen to:

www.wsta.com
www.wvwi.net

Schultz

Though there may be over 100,000 people, but in almost all cases there is a political trend, wouldn't you classify as California as liberal but Alabama more conservative. I'm doing a small report on United States political trends which included the USVI. Also, have there been any protests or petitions or movements to change the status?
Thank You, All information will be useful
Jay

In my opinion, I feel that the locals are very proud to be American citizens. There are times when the status sitution may come across as being second class citizens do to the fact that as U.S. citizens living in the USVI, you can not vote in U.S. Presidential elections for the one person who will have the power to set policies which will greatly affect the lives of people living in the USVI. On the other hand, being part of the U.S. has allowed locals to have one of the highest standard of living in the caribbean and latin america. Residents of the U.S. Virgin Island has served proudly in the U.S. arm forces and will continue to do so. In my opinion, I strongly feel that it is time for the USVI take a serious look at the political status in which they are governed under in order to enhance their relationship with Washington, D.C. This change is crucial so that the representative that is sent to washington by the Virgin Islands would actually have powers in congress rather than just being there as an observer or having a seat on certain committees in congress. The U.S. Virgin Islands like the other 50 states should have 2 senators to represent the interest of the islands and to have a true say in setting policies that affects their lives. If it means the residents of the VI will have to begin to pay federal income taxes in order to make these changes, I feel that it is a sacrifice that is well worth it.

Thanks Rhea for the helpful info. Are citizens in other US colonies(Puerto Rico, American Samoa) allowed to vote? How does the government setup of the Virgin Islands compare to other US territories?

Jay,

There are no "US colonies" as you phrase it.

Puerto Rico is a self governing commonwealth and American Samoa is a self governing territory similar to the Virgin Islands.

Schultz

Jay,
The USVI's protected status, ie Duty-free, may have possibly done more harm than good for the econmic vitality of the region. The method of maintaining govenment is through revenue generated from taxes and fees, taxes being the healthier of the two. Duty-free status has hurt the Virgin Islands and not paying Federal taxes has done the same. I work for the government in the US and operations and financing rely on incoming revenue.