I'm sure they do want their hands on this money. Puerto Rico only wants to be part of the US when it is convenient for them. Basically, they want the freebies but want to remain sovereign.

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Re: The Federal Takeover of State Debt is Abou....

The 3 reasons listed as to why the states and Porto Rico are in dire straits could also be said of the Federal Government so for that reason alone this doesn't sound like a good idea. But, I see a much more serious problem. If the Federal Government pays off these debts then taxpayers who lived in other states and did not incur this debt will also be stuck with the bill to pay it off. And, more importantly, what's to stop the Federal government from changing the rules at some point and reducing people's benefits or raiding the funds to pay off their own debt or use for some other purpose just as they have done with the Social Security Trust Fund? I believe that is ultimately that is what they want.

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