How do you feel about foreign born US citizens being President?

[napi21]

I just heard Kissinger and Albreight on Late Edition BOTH saying they believe foreign born citizens, after serving this country for a long time should be able to be voted President. Now, I realize that both of them have a vested interest in this issue.

I DON'T believe we should ammend the constitution and let this happen! I don't think one can ever really forget their heritage, and that would give reason for a foreign born citizen to at least lean toward their homeland instead of thinking of America first.

What do you think?

[henslee]

Fine... just not Arnold.

[Walt Starr]

I am resolutely opposed to the notion of amending the constitution

to allow foreign born to become president.

We have enough problems with the idiots born here becoming president without compounding the mess.

[GRLMGC]

1. I would support it

This is really idiotic, but I don't support it now because I don't want Arnold to run. Then again, I think that foreign born citizens should be able to run. I doubt i'll ever run for President but I was born in Nicaragua and I've lived here since I was 2 months old. I have no loyalty to Nicaragua whatsoever. So what should stop me from running?

[ohioliberal]

2. I don't think they should.

[opihimoimoi]

3. NOOOOOOOO, the framers had their thoughts on this and they said NOOOOOO

[Toucano]

11. Fuck the framers!

Give me a better reason than that.

The framers had their thoughts about slavery and suffrage, too. Their thoughts were wrong.

[Lefty48197]

4. President Granholm...

has a very nice ring to it!

[datasuspect]

5. let's elect

a woman, a black person, or a mexican-american for president first before we start trying to get an austrian president (and the issue is all about arnie, don't be misled).

[Toucano]

18. It's not REALLY about Arnie

He's just a part of the tool.

It's about separating Latino voters from Democrats. It's a wedge.

Raise the spector of Arnold being elected, get the Democrats to come out opposing the amendment, then slam the Democrats for opposing rights of immigrants. Latino voters run right into the arms of the Republican party.

They've used Latinos as a wedge against organized labor, too.

They can't run Arnold without pissing off the Christian fundies. The fundies are far more important for them than anything Arnold can give them.

[Kahuna]

6. I don't support it. I think that people from other countries..

and cultures always maintain a part of the culture from their home country. If a person comes from a country that was formerly under communist rule, while they embrace American democracy there could be aspects of their culture that they consider worthwhile. For this reason alone, I am opposed to foreign born citizens becoming president. Don't flame me. I know. I know, look at *. He's American born with fascist tendencies. I'm just saying I think that the risk could be greater or more frequent for a foreign born citizen to maintain some fascist ideals.

[Nikepallas]

7. Don't get me wrong...

I've always thought that as long as a person had an American citizenship and lived here 25 years they should be all to be President. That little idea of being born in this country was put in to exclude a fine gentleman (okay some of his ideas were weird but some of the other foudning fathers weren't that far from his mark either.) on the $10 bill(unless REPUGs get their way and he is replaced by an actor-who did a lot for this country but he does not deserve a face on any bill.) BUT to have Conan-brain as President...:scared: BUSHCO would have another 8 years

[ugarte]

8. I would rather just elect a foreigner, period.

A non-American.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

9. I think it would be a good idea.

If there were ever to be a foreign born citizen whom enough people wanted to be president, then I think it would be unjust to prevent them. If there never is, then the ammendment serves no purpose.

What opponents of ammendment are giving may be good reasons against voting for a foreign born citizen, but they're not good reasons for banning others from doing so.

[Cleita]

10. I personally don't think naturalized citizens should be able to.

However, there is a whole class of disenfranchised born Americans, like myself, out there, who can't run for President because we were born in a foreign country to American parents working in foreign countries. I am not talking about military or diplomatic service Americans, but those born to parents working overseas for private companies that are mostly American owned.

Most of us are American in our language, our thinking and our education, yet we can't run for President. We have all traveled on American passports since birth because we are regarded as American citizens from birth, yet not American enough I guess to aspire to be President.

I would support an ammendment for these Americans but not so Arnold can become President. Incidentally, there is a big muddle about his entry into this country, which was a little murky on the legality.

[liberalpragmatist]

13. You're allowed to

"Natural Born Citizens" means anyone who is either (a) born in the United States, or (b) born to parents who are American citizens. If both your parents were American citizens and you were born overseas, then you're considered an American citizen from birth and hence a "natural born" citizen.

Personally, I DO favor a constitutional amendment to allow foreign-born citizens to run for President. However, I think the limits should be strict. NO dual citizenship, exclusive American citizenship for a period of at least 20 years, possibly more, residency for at least 35, perhaps limit it to those who moved to America before the age of 18.

[Cleita]

26. Actually no.

If you were living on an embassy, consulate or military base when you were born then it's considered natural born. In may case, since my father was working for a private company, I'm not considered natural born, but American from birth. There is a narrow distinction there. Also, it depends on what year you were born, that determines the laws you fall under. So that year that I was born in, said I could hold any office in the land except VP and Pres.

[napi21]

15. If your parents were Americans, don't you have dual citizenship?

I have a neice who gave birth to two of her four children while in Japan, and they have dual citizenship. They are considered US born.

[Cleita]

29. Yes, I do.

Here and in Chile.

[Padraig18]

12. As someone who has a vested interest, too, ...

... I think it's not a big issue. If they can't become POTUS, their children certainly can.

[Benhurst]

14. My opinion no longer matters. Whomever the plutocracy decides

will win on their blackboxes, I'll have to live with no matter how I feel.

[eleny]

16. I'm against it

I believe that this is all about Arnold. It's important that we frame the argument and keep it focused on him. That this effort is because the right wing wants him in the White House.

Other good and decent foreign born individuals have absolutely no chance of becoming president if they're Dems or centrist Repubs. This effort is to get their number one yes-man into office so they can have his glad handing glimmer provide cover for their shadow government. His role is to help them continue terminating democracy and to solidify the power of the ultra right.

A question I'd like answered is how the Southern Baptist Conference would accept Arnold as their president. His early years and professional acting career as well as some of his left leaning social positions don't dovetail too well with their focus. Is the support Arnold receives by the right wing a thumbing of the nose at these fundamentalist radical clerics?

[Toucano]

19. Don't forget the Maplethorpe photos.

Arnold will not be their candidate.

Do you have a reason to oppose the amendment other than Arnold?

[eleny]

36. To your question

If it wasn't for Arnold, I'd have to give it more thought. Since the Constitution is usually an expanding of rights, this change does follow it's historical personality. But honestly, I haven't gotten past Arnold to weigh the issue. Since he's their focus, he's mine right now. I think it's unhealthy for us to be gullible because for the right wing - it's *only* to nominate Arnold. I'm sure they'd like us to get sidetracked.

I just had another thought, though. Maybe Arnold is just a smokescreen who could be discarded for an even worse foreign born candidate. Maybe it's time to find my tinfoil hat but how can we trust them?

[Toucano]

43. "If it wasn't for Arnold, I'd have to give it more thought."

You should give it more thought.

As you correctly point out, the religious fundamentalists won't support Arnold.

Getting elected governor of California is a far cry winning the presidency. Especially for someone with such a checkered past as Arnold.

[eleny]

47. Unless we have voter verified paper ballots the decisions won't be ours

Who knows how he got elected as governor, too. Doubts have been raised about that election. Maybe it doesn't matter how any of us ordinary citizens feel about any of this. :(

[Toucano]

51. Good point. n/t

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

17. Fine by me. But, why stop at American citizens?

I wouldn't mind seeing some folks like these running:

Arundhati Roy
Desmond Tutu
Stephen Hawking
Helen Clark
Joshka Fischer
Mary Robinson

The Americans we've elected over the last 4 decades have made a hash of it.

But, then, I'm one of those traitorous one worlders.

[wuushew]

20. The Alexander Hamiliton excuse

Born a bastard in Carribean, he noneless went on to become one of the great figures in the founding of the country. The Constitution was specifically written to allow him the ability to become President. The original fourteen years rule should be ammended and given to naturalized citizens.

All this talk of xenophobia discusts me. To you think that a country that is overrun with racists, zealots and homophobes would somehow be more enthusiastic about ammending the Constitution than politicians?

[PsN2Wind]

21. While I don't

support amending The Constitution to allow a foreign born President, I do think we could have some real fun with an Arnold campaign. Who else in the running would be talking about the ability to "fuck in front of other guys" or the naked pix available or a pic of the young lady keeping his finger warm, etc. Make the "moral values" bunch wallow in their hypocrisy.

[NewJeffCT]

27. yes, but since Arnold is Republican

Since Arnold is a Republican, he can write off anything from the day before he announced he's running for Governor as a "youthful indiscretion"

[PsN2Wind]

34. That might be true, but

I would like to see the look on the face of the "moral values" crowd, who were simply aghast at a fleeting glimpse of Janet Jackson's boob, as they see pictures of Arnold with his finger in the young ladies nether region (had a helluva time thinking of a delicate term).

[pop goes the weasel]

22. bad idea

It would encourage megalomanics to move to the US, gain citizenship, and try to become president. I might be willing to accept an amendment that made allowances for people who were born elsewhere but raised in the US--say came to the US before they were 5 years old.

As for Arnold, all I'll say is that the world has suffered enough from Austrians taking control of countries they weren't born in.

[saracat]

23. Please. This is just another Repug idea to appeal

to our so called liberal natures and use it against us. It is a very "liberal" idea but they want to use it to elect Arnie and be in power forever! This isn't about a constitutional amendment. It is to make us look bad by opposing it. They win either way. Passes power. We oppose it we look petty. I say oppose it. We already look bad. We don't need to give them more power. And we inevitably hand it to them whenever we are concerned how things"look"

[wuushew]

28. Arnold will never be elected by Republicans

He is not Protestant
He is not socially conservative
He is not acceptable to conservative xenophobes.


Asssuming Republicans throw him into the mix, how is he going to prevail in the primaries of very red farm/deep south states where the culture is much different from that of California?

Will his crossover movie appeal outweigh the depressing effect on the hardcore Republican base?

[saracat]

37. You don't think the vote counts , do you?Giggle! The Repug

base will vote for whomever they nominate. As for Arnie winning, as I point out, it doesn't matter. It is a point game. But He isn't much more than a name and in many cases that is all it takes.Also if he were to win, his pretensions to moderation would fall away! He is a Nazi at heart. And they would love him for it!

[wuushew]

40. If the vote is rigged why maintain the lie of running a non-extremist?

The Republicans could run a strict Xtian-reconstuctionalist candidate and win with 99% of the vote thanks to BBV.

Does maintaining the false veneer of democracy help maintain their wealth or prevent the outbreak of social unrest?

[saracat]

41. Exactly! Their is no benefit to the lie!

I don't understand why the Dems don't get that!

[ScrewyRabbit]

24. Two great examples from history: Napoleon and Hitler

nt

[wuushew]

25. In all fairness the U.S.A. is equivalent to 1800 France or 1939 Germany

Anybody coming into this country save from certain "rogue states" would be an improvement over our locally grown tyrants.

[DBoon]

30. Only if George Soros decides to run

and only then

[Cat Atomic]

31. I think it's offensive

for a political party to tamper with the Constitution *just because* they want a specific man to run for the presidency. It's the same problem I have with their "anti-gay marriage ammendment" garbage.

I think that sort of trivial tampering shows a complete lack of respect for the document, for the law, and for the nation.

[Cleita]

33. Exactly.

Well, said and proof that this administration and the Republican Party have no respect for our Constitution and what it stands for.

[Paradise]

32. Strongly against amending the Constitution for this purpose! n/t

[NV Whino]

35. I don't agree with it, but...

I think it is inevitable. One idea that has been proposed is that if the Constitution is amended now, the law not go into effect for 20 to 30 years, and then with a 35-year residency requirement.

I find that reasonably acceptable.

[Catt03]

38. Ditto: Strongly against

There are thousands of American citizens who would make great leaders if they could afford to run.

What we will get is another rich man from Austria instead of America.

Really is a condensending and dismissive message to American born that a foreign citizen would make a better president than an American.

[hangloose]

39. Don't change the constitution!!

[neebob]

42. Another "Anyone But Arnold" here.

And I won't support an amendment to enable foreign-born citizens to run until the curent money-driven, two-party system is abolished - which will never happen, so it's beside the point.

[CrownPrinceBandar]

44. Academically, I have nothing against it.................

however, electing a foreign-born citizen to the highest office in the land would require amending the Constitution, and I can only approve of that in situations of extreme social injustice. IMHO, electing a foreign citizen does not pass this muster.

[coreystone]

45. No Constitutional Amendments now! There are too many issues...

which are being convoluted in the eyes of our legislators, "our fans", and the rest of the American people.

I realize that our society expects the "OK - let's do it" mentality of the 20th and 21st century; I realize that many of the American people have become overwhelmed by how quickly the events of the world are passing by; and, I realize that THIS IS NOT a time to play with the US Constitution; when we are so polarized by the need to react to the present partisan and religious fervor, as related, in the "guidelines" of a "democratic-republic"!

This "talk" of amending the Constitution is ONLY talk. Yes! It will get out of the Republican held committee to advance to the floor (more than likely).

The simple notion that I wish to convey, is that "rush" is seeming to outweigh the "deliberate" thought of "overturning" the wishes of our "founding fathers of Democracy" in their wisdom. This Wisdom has prevailed for a great deal of time; there have been amendments; and, when one considers the volatile political currents which are passing us, we should not be so indulged by an extremist Senator Hatch in "completely" upsetting the apple cart.

Just a thought!

:-)

[Eugene]

46. Foreign born President? Okay. Tinker with the Constitution? Caution!

Full disclosure: I am the son of an immigrant
and carry dual U.S. and foreign citizenship.

I have no problem with a foreign born President.
I trust the voters to determine where a
candidate's loyalties lie.

I don't doubt the Gropinator's allegiance to America.
I question his character.

Finally, we should be cautious about tinkering
with the Constitution. Do you trust the Repugs
to stop at just repealing the "native born" requirement?
How does a legalized third term for the Shrub grab you?

:dem:

[thinksmart]

48. America First.

Keep the constitution intact with regards to foreign born citizens running for president.

[bo44]

49. Not if it allows Austrian born sons of Nazis to be elected president eom

[Viva_La_Revolution]

50. Hell NO! n/t

[indepat]

52. Like the framers were really wise to proscribe such