If the state’s definition went with the current law of both those born in the country and those born overseas with at least one qualifying US citizen parent, then the only ones potentially harmed would be anyone denied something like ballot access in a presidential primary because they didn’t fit current law. It’s hard to imagine that becoming a lawsuit.
If all states adopted a similar law, then we’d have the bodies authorized to conduct elections, state legislatures, in charge of the definition, and that would be just about what the Constitution envisions.
But how would we know whether that was what the Founding Fathers intended? Right now the Founding Fathers’ wisdom is looking mighty good by comparison to what we have today. When I was a kid I wanted to do what I wanted, and thought my parents were stupid. Now that I’ve lived a bit, I really value my parents’ wisdom and want to make sure I hear it.
I don’t want to get around what the Founding Fathers said; I want to truly understand their wisdom. I hear you guys debating and I don’t know what to think. I want an earnest answer from an honest, non-threatened authority that values the Founding Fathers’ wisdom as much as I do. That’s what the judiciary is supposed to be, and what they are supposed to do. It’s like a pastor who is given Biblical and theological training so he can understand and interpret the Bible and help normal people understand what God says to us and does for us.
What would happen when CA rules Schwartzneggar to be a NBC?