Constitutional amendment to allow foreign born to become President

[2ndAmendment]

There is an advertising campeign for a Constitutional amendment to allow foreign born citizens to become President. I am against it. I am not against foreign born citizens, but I am against them being President since the President is the Commander in Chief.

My reasoning is this. If a foreign born citizen becomes President, that person may likely have very close relatives and friends in their homeland. The truth of the world is that today's ally is tomorrow's foe and today's foe is tomorrow's ally. Right now the European Union is our ally (with the exceptions of France and Germany). At other times in our history, we have been at war with most of the countries of the E.U. Will a foreign born Commander in Chief have allegiances that are equally important as the self interest of the United States? More pointedly put; if Arnie becomes President and the U.S. winds up at war with the E.U., will he be able to order our bombers to bomb Vienna? Will a Japanese born Commander in Chief be able to bomb Tokyo? How about nukes if it gets to that?

I cannot say with authority, but I suspect that foreign born citizens were a greater percentage of the population of the United States during the founders time than they are now. Maybe Sam Spade can chime in here. But, I would say that foreign born citizens were numerous at that time. The founders recognized the conflict that a foreign born citizen would have as Commander in Chief and chose to exclude them from being President. I think it was correct then and is correct now.

 

[Kain99]

Is this all for Arnold?

 

[Tonio]

Is this all for Arnold?

That was my first thought, too. I agree with 2nd on this issue.

 

[2ndAmendment]

Is this all for Arnold?

Don't know, but it originated in California.

 

[itsbob]

There is an advertising campeign for a Constitutional amendment to allow foreign born citizens to become President. I am against it. I am not against foreign born citizens, but I am against them being President since the President is the Commander in Chief.

My reasoning is this. If a foreign born citizen becomes President, that person may likely have very close relatives and friends in their homeland. The truth of the world is that today's ally is tomorrow's foe and today's foe is tomorrow's ally. Right now the European Union is our ally (with the exceptions of France and Germany). At other times in our history, we have been at war with most of the countries of the E.U. Will a foreign born Commander in Chief have allegiances that are equally important as the self interest of the United States? More pointedly put; if Arnie becomes President and the U.S. winds up at war with the E.U., will he be able to order our bombers to bomb Vienna? Will a Japanese born Commander in Chief be able to bomb Tokyo? How about nukes if it gets to that?

I cannot say with authority, but I suspect that foreign born citizens were a greater percentage of the population of the United States during the founders time than they are now. Maybe Sam Spade can chime in here. But, I would say that foreign born citizens were numerous at that time. The founders recognized the conflict that a foreign born citizen would have as Commander in Chief and chose to exclude them from being President. I think it was correct then and is correct now.

No way, no how would I support any such amendment for ANYBODY!! Even though it means my son will never be president... ANYONE with ties THAT close to any country has no right to be president.. and it opens the doors for less desirables with a LOT of money from other countries to run for president.. ANyone with money and the PR knowledge and a good PR team can be a viable candidtate for president, and we have enough problems with the locally grown crop

 

[tlatchaw]

Agreed agreed agreed. Foreign born presidents would be bad for the USA. Sorry, Arnold.

 

[Tonio]

Even though it means my son will never be president...

I don't understand the Constitution's use of "naturalized" in the requirements for President. Does that mean that if your son was born abroad but his parents are native-born citizens, he could still be President?

 

[FromTexas]

Don't know, but it originated in California.

That last part that says, "Originated in California" should be a big clue to as to the merit of the proposal.

 

[Ken King]

I don't understand the Constitution's use of "naturalized" in the requirements for President. Does that mean that if your son was born abroad but his parents are native-born citizens, he could still be President?

The requirement is "No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President." Doesn't say a darn thing about "naturalized".

 

[Tonio]

Here we go...

http://www.usconstitution.net/consttop_citi.html

To be a Senator or Representative, you must be a citizen of the United States. To be President, not only must you be a citizen, but you must also be natural-born...
The 14th Amendment defines citizenship this way: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside." But even this does not get specific enough. As usual, the Constitution provides the framework for the law, but it is the law that fills in the gaps.

Currently, Title 8 of the U.S. Code fills in those gaps. Section 1401 defines the following as people who are "citizens of the United States at birth:

• Anyone born inside the United States
• Any Indian or Eskimo born in the United States, provided being a citizen of the U.S. does not impair the person's status as a citizen of the tribe
• Any one born outside the United States, both of whose parents are citizens of the U.S., as long as one parent has lived in the U.S.
• Any one born outside the United States, if one parent is a citizen and lived in the U.S. for at least one year and the other parent is a U.S. national
• Any one born in a U.S. possession, if one parent is a citizen and lived in the U.S. for at least one year
• Any one found in the U.S. under the age of five, whose parentage cannot be determined, as long as proof of non-citizenship is not provided by age 21
• Any one born outside the United States, if one parent is an alien and as long as the other parent is a citizen of the U.S. who lived in the U.S. for at least five years (with military and diplomatic service included in this time)
• A final, historical condition: a person born before 5/24/1934 of an alien father and a U.S. citizen mother who has lived in the U.S.

Anyone falling into these categories is considered natural-born, and is eligible to run for President or Vice President.

 

[Tonio]

The requirement is "No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President." Doesn't say a darn thing about "naturalized".

I was referring to the 14th Amendment's definition for citizenship.

 

[2ndAmendment]

I don't understand the Constitution's use of "naturalized" in the requirements for President. Does that mean that if your son was born abroad but his parents are native-born citizens, he could still be President?

Deffinition from http://www.lectlaw.com/def2/n039.htm

NATURALIZED CITIZEN - One who, being born an alien, has lawfully become a citizen of the United States Under the constitution and laws.

He has all the rights of a natural born citizen, except that of being eligible as president or vice-president of the United States. In foreign countries he has a right to be treated as such, and will be so considered even in the country of his birth, at least for most purposes.

 

[Dymphna]

Don't know, but it originated in California.

An article I read on the subject last week said that one of the major contributors to Arnie's gubernatorial campaign is a leader in the effort to get support for this amendment.

 

[Dymphna]

I agree with 2A that the allegences of the foreign born should be called into question. Don't get me wrong, Arnie is as patriotic an American as most and more so than many. But what is to keep someone from another country with money, connections and perserverance from coming in and getting elected only to declare himself dictator for life? I know we have checks and balances and all, but this person would have legal control over the military and would appoint his buddies the the highest of bureacratic positions. He would have up to 8 years to subvert all the checks and balances and establish control.

 

[vraiblonde]

The chances that we'll ever bomb Vienna are pretty slim. But I'm against foreigners being elected to ANY office, not just President. Do we go over to their countries and run for office? NO. Plus it opens the door for all kinds of folks to try and get elected and, given the loony tendencies of some of our citizenry, I don't trust them to not hand us a President Arafat or President Castro.

 

[Larry Gude]

Looks like Arnold has...

...a steep hill to climb.

 

[dems4me]

Is this all for Arnold?

Yes all this is for Arnold as he has stated he would be interested in running in 2008 but NOT if it flys in the face of the constitution.... now, there are ads... with the pathetic statements such as "we need to amend the constitution.... people can't help where they are born.... the constitution on average per decade only averages getting amended 8 times.... do this for Arnold and the other 16 million (it was 16 or 8 million?) americans that didn't have the fortune to be born in the United States"
Yeah right like that's really holding alot of the foriegners from running for president -- 16 million of them at that....
I think its sadly, I do expect it to pass the republican Congress and republican Senate and then Bush.
They mentinoed it and showed the ads on WUSANews9 or whatever channel 9's news show that comes on at 7:00 I think that was yesterdays question for viewers to send in their opinions for tonight's "mail bag".

 

[Ken King]

Yes is for Arnold as he has stated he would be interested in running in 2008 but NOT if it flys in the face of the constitution.... now, there are ads... with the pathetic statements such as "we need to amend the constitution.... people can't help where they are born.... the constitution on average per decade only averages getting amended 8 times.... do this for Arnold and the other 16 million (it was 16 or 8 million) americans that didn't have the fortune to be born in the United States"
Yeah right like that's really holding alot of the foriegners from running for president -- 16 million of them at that....
I think its sadly, I do expect it to pass the republican Congress and republican Senate and then Bush.

Dems,

With still only 27 amendments how has the Constitution averaged 8 amendments per decade? Have we moved the decimal place a little too far?

Leave it alone and no we don't need a Arnold Library to make the line from Judge Dredd come true.

 

[dems4me]

Dems,

With still only 27 amendments how has the Constitution averaged 8 amendments per decade? Have we moved the decimal place a little too far?

Leave it alone and no we don't need a Arnold Library to make the line from Judge Dredd come true.

That's what the lady in the ad said... kind of like making it seem soo vital to constantly amend the constitution.... what's next the declaratino of independence amendments :shrug:

 

[Larry Gude]

You know what will be a hoot...

...right now, I think the idea, an Arnold Amendment, ain't going nowhere with the GOP unless it is decided that he is the best candidate for '08.

If so, the DNC will scream bloody murder.

BUT...if the GOP sits on it, Arnie just may start liking the Democratic party platform.

Then, we'll see this massive converstion!

This could be fun!