What makes a Commonwealth state different from any other state in the US?


think answer question.
http://ask.yahoo.com/20001117.html

difference between state , commonwealth?

search on "state difference commonwealth" turned useful results. @ about.com: lawyers site, learned there 4 commonwealths in united states: massachusetts, pennsylvania, virginia, kentucky.
difference between these commonwealths , other 46 states in name alone -- elected call commonwealths, term drawn political theory. about.com lawyer assured that, legally, there no difference between state , these 4 commonwealths.

there is, however, form of commonwealth. ever-helpful dictionary.com offers alternate definition: "self-governing, autonomous political unit voluntarily associated united states, namely, puerto rico , northern mariana islands." degree of dependency varies place place, let's consider puerto rico example.

there few major differences between puerto rico , typical american state:

internal revenue code not apply puerto rico.
puerto rico has no voting representation in congress.
puerto rican citizens not allowed vote in presidential elections.
puerto ricans u.s. citizens; pay social security, can receive federal welfare, , can serve in armed forces. don't pay federal taxes, , don't vote in presidential elections.
far, they've voted keep way. consider limited partnership.



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