But you do have to give him partial credit - he did find a misspelling ;-)
Sorry for those multiple errors in a very short post. ;-(
The basic fact remains -- which seems to somehow elude OneWingedShark's intellectual grasp -- that every state which was a state in 1868 has now officially ratified the 14th Ammendment.
OneWingedShark: "...why should I assume that everything the government says is legitimate actually is legitimate?
That is, what is it that keeps the government from lying to me?"
The same things that help keep witnesses from lying on the witness stand: an oath to tell the truth, with associated punishments, hard evidence, cross examinations and opposing witnesses.
Ultimately, juries of experts and public opinions decide which assertions to accept or reject.
Of course, you are free to believe or disbelieve whatever you wish.
But if you chose to reject as false established facts which most people hold true, then you eliminate any possibility of your arguments influencing their opinions, FRiend.