Allow Non-natural born citizens to run for POTUS

Lord MJ · Post by **Lord MJ** » 2004-09-06 06:38pm

What valid arguments can there possibly be against amending the constitution to allow non-natural born citizens for run for POTUS?

What does the location of birth have to do with one's ability to be President?

Talon Karrde · Post by **Talon Karrde** » 2004-09-06 06:39pm

Conspiracy to place a person from a foreign government into the post and then make critical decisions to cripple the country. I don't really have time to go into depth, but that would be the main reason I believe.

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2004-09-06 07:10pm

Talon Karrde wrote:Conspiracy to place a person from a foreign government into the post and then make critical decisions to cripple the country. I don't really have time to go into depth, but that would be the main reason I believe.

That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard.

Andrew J. · Post by **Andrew J.** » 2004-09-06 07:16pm

Durandal wrote:
Talon Karrde wrote:Conspiracy to place a person from a foreign government into the post and then make critical decisions to cripple the country. I don't really have time to go into depth, but that would be the main reason I believe.
That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard.

That's the main reason the clause was put in there in the first place, IIRC. The founding fathers were afraid of spies from England proffesing to be lovers of democracy (why they didn't put similar restrictions in for Congress or other government offices, I don't know).

Today, however, it is quite impossible for such a thing to happen.

Talon Karrde · Post by **Talon Karrde** » 2004-09-06 07:26pm

Durandal wrote:
Talon Karrde wrote:Conspiracy to place a person from a foreign government into the post and then make critical decisions to cripple the country. I don't really have time to go into depth, but that would be the main reason I believe.
That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard.

Holy shit. Call me stupid for what it was created for.

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2004-09-06 07:27pm

Talon Karrde wrote:
Durandal wrote:
Talon Karrde wrote:Conspiracy to place a person from a foreign government into the post and then make critical decisions to cripple the country. I don't really have time to go into depth, but that would be the main reason I believe.
That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard.
Holy shit. Call me stupid for what it was created for.

You can't actually read English, can you? He didn't refer to you at all, you complete asstard.

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2004-09-06 07:28pm

Talon Karrde wrote:Holy shit. Call me stupid for what it was created for.

I didn't call you stupid (though you certainly are). But today, that reason no longer applies.

Talon Karrde · Post by **Talon Karrde** » 2004-09-06 07:30pm

SirNitram wrote:
Talon Karrde wrote:
Durandal wrote: That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard.
Holy shit. Call me stupid for what it was created for.
You can't actually read English, can you? He didn't refer to you at all, you complete asstard.

When you say that's the stupidest thing I've ever heard, it appears that he is attacking my post. If he wishes to call it stupid, perhaps he should clarify what is stupid.

Shinova · Post by **Shinova** » 2004-09-06 07:32pm

Talon Karrde wrote:
SirNitram wrote:
Talon Karrde wrote:Holy shit. Call me stupid for what it was created for.
You can't actually read English, can you? He didn't refer to you at all, you complete asstard.
When you say that's the stupidest thing I've ever heard, it appears that he is attacking my post. If he wishes to call it stupid, perhaps he should clarify what is stupid.

I think the "That" instead of "You're" kinda puts it in context.

Talon Karrde · Post by **Talon Karrde** » 2004-09-06 07:37pm

OK. Sorry I jumped to conclusions. I retract my moronic, ignorant statement

Quadlok · Post by **Quadlok** » 2004-09-06 08:21pm

The reason we do not allow foreigners to run for office is because this would result in an Arnold Swarszenneger(how the hell do you spell that?)/Jackie Chan ticket, thus proving to the five remaining people in the world who were not already aware that this country is populated largely by ignorant morons who can't find Washington D.C. on a well labeled map.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2004-09-07 12:55am

The only reason I can really think of is the concern about the loyalties of a foreign born president; it is entirely possible it could affect their judgement and handling of America's affairs. Given the overwhelming (and unfortunate) trend of many immigrants to become Hyphenated Americans instead of just Americans isn't terribly encouraging with regards to that.

That said, I think that people that have been here most of their life, as US citizens, should be allowed to run. A person that's been a citizen say twenty or so years really isn't any different that most Americans. Why they can do anything but be President is beyond me.

Though I will be terribly disappointed if the Dems ever did nominate our Harpy of a Governor, Jennifer Granholm as their presidential candidate.

Stark · Post by **Stark** » 2004-09-07 04:08am

As a brief hijack, does anyone else find the whole hyphenation thing irritating and offensive? I'm a kiwi, and I've been living in Australia for fifteen years. I'm a citizen of both countries. However, I call myself an Australian.

These hyphenated people are the same people who want less discrimination, more integration, and live by themselves in their own parts of Sydney. Lets not forget things like welfare (lots of it, here in Australia; I recently discovered that studying, with its added costs, gets you LESS welfare than sitting on the couch. Wonderful system) and the like. Indeed, many of them are natural born -whatevers, and STILL identify themselves with some ancestral homeland. It irritates my sense of fairness.

Stuart Mackey · Post by **Stuart Mackey** » 2004-09-07 05:35am

Stark wrote:As a brief hijack, does anyone else find the whole hyphenation thing irritating and offensive? I'm a kiwi, and I've been living in Australia for fifteen years. I'm a citizen of both countries. However, I call myself an Australian.

Well..with that confession we have now raised the iq points of both nations

Uther · Post by **Uther** » 2004-09-07 04:49pm

Not knowing why specifically, I would guess the clause exists to prevent the old European practice of essentially recruiting heads of state from foreign countries. Now I realize the US President is democratically elected, but the Founders were nonetheless probably concerned about European dynastic families becoming entrenched in American executive politics.

It should probably be removed, although it's unlikely to be in the near future in my estimation.

Boyish-Tigerlilly · Post by **Boyish-Tigerlilly** » 2004-09-07 06:13pm

I think you should have to be a US citizen for a good amount of time before you get elected to any major office. But once you are a citizen for a responsible period of time, then it's all good.

General Zod · Post by **General Zod** » 2004-09-07 06:27pm

Uther wrote:Not knowing why specifically, I would guess the clause exists to prevent the old European practice of essentially recruiting heads of state from foreign countries. Now I realize the US President is democratically elected, but the Founders were nonetheless probably concerned about European dynastic families becoming entrenched in American executive politics.

It should probably be removed, although it's unlikely to be in the near future in my estimation.

you more or less hit the nail on the head. the main reason the ammendment was put in place was so the founding fathers wouldn't have to worry about individuals whose loyalty was divided between the united states and their home country, and would manipulate america's laws and practices in favor of that other country.

given the US was fairly young at the time it was a reasonable concern.

Bob the Gunslinger · Post by **Bob the Gunslinger** » 2004-09-07 06:30pm

I hear you Stark. It's a form of self-segregation that only divides communities. But try telling them that and look out!