Posted on 01/17/2016 4:37:25 PM PST by BlackFemaleArmyColonel
In recent weeks, much time and effort has been devoted to debating whether Ted Cruz is a "natural born citizen" eligible for the presidency. Whichever way you come down on this question of constitutional interpretation, the real lesson of this debate should be the absurdity of excluding naturalized citizens from the presidency in the first place. Categorically excluding immigrants from the presidency is a form of arbitrary discrimination based on place of birth (or, in a few cases, parentage), which is ultimately little different from discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity. Both ethnicity and place of birth are morally arbitrary characteristics which do not, in themselves, determine a person's competence or moral fitness for high political office.
The "natural born" citizen requirement was originally inserted into the Constitution because some of the Founders feared that European royalty or nobles might move to the United States, get elected to the presidency, and then use the office to advance the interests of their houses. Whatever the merits of this concern back in the 1780s, it is hardly a plausible scenario today.
One can argue that immigrants have less knowledge of the country and its customs, and might make worse presidents for that reason. But that problem is surely addressed by the constitutional requirement that a candidate for president must have been resident in the United States for at least fourteen years. As a practical matter, anyone who attains the political connections and public recognition needed to make a serious run for the presidency is likely to have at least as much knowledge of the US and American politics as most serious native-born candidates do.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Dang, I made that typo earlier too. Caffein imbalance maybe.
Because there isn't a court in the country that can be trusted! Far too many judges are just political insiders put there because they can be counted on to do the D's bidding. Sadly even the Supreme Court is no longer a court of justice. It's just another wing of the Democrat party.
Bull. Clearing up a stupid, asinine point like this is the essence of clear-eyed rationalism. If that’s anti-conservative, then it’s only because conservatives are irrational. Just like liberals.
There are some who place an individual above the country’s constitution
He would if Cruz can.
I can prove you wrong in 20 words or less, and have many times. But your guy would not benefit, so you won’t learn. What if Cruz’s name was Mohammed? And his mother was only born in America to obtain citizenship by Yemeni parents. So, even though she was a U.S. Citizen, and has she given birth to young Mohammed, she no more thought of herself as American as any other Yemeni native. Your plan allows Mohammed to travel back to America, attend Harvard, community organize, and after 14 years run for president. Sorry, the Founders saw Mohammed, and YOU coming a thousand miles away.
Agree. We should never allow this to be taken away! Would leave wide open door to those who want to take over America and install......say, Sharia law.
IMHO it's time to get rid of it and substitute something that is (a) rational, and (b) reasonable.That sounds like what an idiot leftist might say on the 2nd amendment.
This is the kind of wrong headed lunacy that would come out of an "convention of states"
Everyone else's definition of what is (a) rational, and (b) reasonable" won't be the same as yours (if you even have one)
Be careful what you wish for.
Takes an oath? Obama took an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Ten minutes later he started on his objective to destroy the constitution and turn Americans into his subjects!
So far he’s done a pretty good job.
wooo!! Thanks. Cruz is really fished now. I loved the guy before these ugly revelations of dishonesty. I don’t think he needs to go to Court any more. Trump will never take him as VP .
/snicker
Hardly. But you’re such the liberal troll I wouldn’t expect you to understand.
I wonder if South Park will portray Cruz as a Canadian, complete with floppy head?
You really do need to lay off the liquor. I’m not supporting anyone named Muhammad.
Same old garbage from those who want to ‘progress’ and change or bend the Constitution to suit their preferences-—the guys who made up and gave us a written Constitution tp protect us forever, knerw what they were doing-—they had lived the evils of men and dictatorial governments so why don’t folks just follow the rules and do right-—IMHO only voters should be those who own real property as they have a true stake in the future of the nation -—the rest ride the train for free—oh, I forgot that ‘free’ is what half of the citizenry wants these days without paying any price-—cheers
No divided loyalties. Keep the requirement, even if the supporters of certain candidates get snippy about it because their guy doesn’t quite fit the bill.
According to current law he is not. He is a citizen, but he is not Natural born on two counts.
I have not taken a position at all on Cruz’s citizenship. In fact, many members on this site have muddied the waters so much I throw up my hands at the whole matter. I do not support him for other reasons. But, if we start allowing people born in foreign countries - with entirely un-American attitudes - to run for president this country is more over than it’s over already. And that includes running for Congress. Again, my post is not about Cruz. It’s about Obama and all the enemies out there who are plotting to destroy this country by destroying our Constitution bit by bit.
True. However, it is apparent it's not clear to even the leaders in our government. Illegals and their spawn are becoming citizens in increasing numbers as we speak.
Also make it illegal to lie in elections.
This would all go away in a moment.
Mc Cain took responsibility for his situation. He went t congress and asked for a ruling
When CRUZ went recently ( before Trump brought it up ). Mc Connell said they would not act upon his qualification
So it seems that CRUZ is left to settle the issue through the judicial branch ...hmmmm?
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.