QUESTION: Marty, I read on Zero Hedge that Trump was floating the idea of Venezuela becoming the 51st State. When you were here in Canada, you said the US would never let Alberta become the 51st State. Is this just more hype about Venezuela?
GS
ANSWER: Yes, it’s just words in the wind. The real story behind the curtain is that allowing Alberta to become the 51st State would mean the Democrats would insist that Puerto Rico and Guam become states. No matter who we consider, a state gets two senators plus representatives in the House, depending on population. This changes the political balance, and it will be a shit-fight to say the least.
The U.S. Constitution doesn’t require a national vote of all existing states to admit a new one, only under a specific set of “other states” those whose territory would be directly affected by the creation of the new state.
So there is far more at issue than just oil or resources. Redistricting just impact the House. A 51st State impacts the Senate.