Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Let's start counting citizens
Pittsburgh Live ^ | June 26, 2005 | Dimitri Vassilaros

Posted on 06/26/2005 3:45:54 PM PDT by Founding Father

Rep. Candice Miller, R-Mich., wants to change one word in the U.S. Constitution.

Replacing "persons" with "citizens" in the 14th Amendment would force the Census Bureau to discount foreigners -- legals and illegals -- to ensure that every American finally would be properly represented in the House.

Michigan would gain a seat, as would Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Indiana, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Montana and Utah, according to Ms. Miller.

"It is almost ridiculously simple" she said.

(Excerpt) Read more at pittsburghlive.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: California; US: Florida; US: Indiana; US: Kentucky; US: Michigan; US: Mississippi; US: New York; US: Oklahoma; US: Pennsylvania; US: Texas; US: Utah; US: Wisconsin
KEYWORDS: aliens; citizens; constitution; districts; illegalimmigrants; immigrantlist; politics; votingrights
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-66 next last
To: billl

The slaves and Savages did count for some of the population state by state, even though suffrage was not yet extended to those groups.


21 posted on 06/26/2005 4:26:00 PM PDT by RightWhale (withdraw from the 1967 UN Outer Space Treaty)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: RightWhale
It might help to know what 'person' actually means.

What was meant, when it was written, is perfectly clear. A little research into the change of language, the last 200 odd years, plus a casual review of the Federalist Papers, establishes the intent beyond any question.

Persons included full citizens (property owners), non voting citizens (non-property owners) and slaves.
Even our unenlightened First Fathers figured out that non property owners, having nothing to lose, would be the fatal flaw in a system where expenditures would be determined only through qualified citizens' voting for them.

22 posted on 06/26/2005 4:28:30 PM PDT by Publius6961 (The most abundant things in the universe are ignorance, stupidity and hydrogen)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: billl
I think in the old days, before there was "naturalization" all the people were citizens...

Wrong.
This was never the case!

23 posted on 06/26/2005 4:29:57 PM PDT by Publius6961 (The most abundant things in the universe are ignorance, stupidity and hydrogen)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Publius6961

That's right. We toss terms around freely these days, which is a problem when it comes to reading the Constitution or even things from 50 years ago in some cases. Corporations were added to the rank of persons later, which is more important than most people realize.


24 posted on 06/26/2005 4:33:39 PM PDT by RightWhale (withdraw from the 1967 UN Outer Space Treaty)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: tomkat

C'mon back---there's plenty of room!!!!


25 posted on 06/26/2005 4:33:39 PM PDT by Txsleuth (Mark Levin for Supreme Court Justice)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Loyalist
..a workable compromise on the issue, like counting illegals and non-citizens as, oh, I don't know, three-fifths?

All sarcasm aside, I don't believe illegal residents should ever count for anything! Same with non-citizens. Although non-citizen residents is open for grabs (so long as they are not on the public dole, e.g. non-contibuted SS payments or welfare or subsidies of any kind.)

Yes, each must decide; take public subsidies, or exercise the right to vote. Not both.

26 posted on 06/26/2005 4:35:35 PM PDT by Publius6961 (The most abundant things in the universe are ignorance, stupidity and hydrogen)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: Txsleuth

It's under consideration, but if it happens, replace the green above with bright red, scots/irish skin, peeling off.

27 posted on 06/26/2005 4:38:10 PM PDT by tomkat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: PhiKapMom

"make it a felony and put business people who hire illegals in jail and see how fast they get out of the hiring illegal trade."

While I agree with you, I am torn somewhat on this issue. I don't like the hiring of illegals but as someone who has worked in construction trades here in NJ, I realize that for many small firms, it is almost impossible to compete unless they hire illegals. They have become so ingrained in the cycle of business that it almost is a given that they will be hired when available. Heck, there are painting and landscaping firms operating openly around here that are owned by illegals who only hire other illegals. It is very hard to compete when the other company is hiring guys off the street for $75-100 day, no insurance, no taxes, no nothing. I see that sh*t happen every day.


28 posted on 06/26/2005 4:39:34 PM PDT by XRdsRev (New Jersey has more horses per square mile than any other U.S. state.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Founding Father

The analysis--and conclusion may be correct--but as a Founding Father, aren't you ignoring the fact that we are (or were) citizens of the respective States and not (or were not) citizens of the United States? The use of "persons" allow[s,ed] US to be represented.


29 posted on 06/26/2005 4:40:26 PM PDT by jammer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: tomkat

I know what you mean---this Irish lady "hibernates" in the summer time...and plays in the Winter....LOL


30 posted on 06/26/2005 4:41:12 PM PDT by Txsleuth (Mark Levin for Supreme Court Justice)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: joesnuffy

Yes sir! 100% correct! Let's do it now!


31 posted on 06/26/2005 4:43:20 PM PDT by mr_hammer (I call them as I see them!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: XRdsRev

It's time to put an end to this crap. Turning a blind eye does not make it right!


32 posted on 06/26/2005 4:45:05 PM PDT by mr_hammer (I call them as I see them!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: Txsleuth
Yup, a/c, shade, and LoneStar were some of my favorite things in Austin  ;-)
33 posted on 06/26/2005 4:48:51 PM PDT by tomkat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: jammer

That was indeed the situation until the present Constitution was adopted. The United States was originally a Confederation of States, and was going down in flames eleven years after Independence.


34 posted on 06/26/2005 4:49:07 PM PDT by RightWhale (withdraw from the 1967 UN Outer Space Treaty)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Founding Father

Seems like a no brainer to me, but then, so do many things that our government chooses to ignore.


35 posted on 06/26/2005 4:49:32 PM PDT by sweetliberty (Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: joesnuffy
"Making the illegal invasion of the USA a felony would allow citizen arrests....and force leos to do their jobs or suffer arrests themselves"

Yeah, when Hell freezes over and pigs fly.

36 posted on 06/26/2005 4:51:31 PM PDT by sweetliberty (Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: mr_hammer

I am not saying turn a blind eye. I am just saying that coming down hard on small businesses that use illegals is going to put a lot of them out of business long before the illegal problem is solved.

Some business people will comply and lose out in the ultra competetive marketplace, other businesses will flaunt the law just like they do now.

If we want to end the use of illegals in the home trades, then fine any property owner who allows illegals to work on their property. The onus will be on the customer, most of whom will make darned sure they don't hire companies that use illegals. The marketplace will weed out illegals and the companies that use them in a very short time. Of course I don't think that idea would fly and it probably isn't lawful anyway but I think it would solve the problem.


37 posted on 06/26/2005 4:52:08 PM PDT by XRdsRev (New Jersey has more horses per square mile than any other U.S. state.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: mr_hammer

Illegal aliens should either voluntarily return to their home country or be deported.


38 posted on 06/26/2005 4:52:26 PM PDT by arnoldpalmerfan (Tancredo for President 2008)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: RightWhale; Founding Father

Yes, you are right and I am wrong. Or at least the 14th Amendment codified this travesty, I believe, among its other mayhem. Thanks for the correction, and I withdraw my post to Founding Father.


39 posted on 06/26/2005 5:04:11 PM PDT by jammer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: jammer

We're all learning rapidly. I find the Anti-Federalist Papers to be worth the price of a paperback. It's way ahead of whatever text we used in Civics class.


40 posted on 06/26/2005 5:09:19 PM PDT by RightWhale (withdraw from the 1967 UN Outer Space Treaty)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-66 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson