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[Docpan]

OK, I'll be honest. I have a debate coming up in.... Less than 48 hours.. And I'm really not that prepared for it.

You see, I was planning on arguing that yes, citizens not born in the US should be eligible to be president. I mean, it only seems natural to me, seeing as how this is the land of opportunity, freedom, etc. It seems to me that some US citizens who weren't born here and had to experience so many hardships in their homeland have an even greater understanding of the "American Dream." So why deny them a right to be president, providing they've been living here for a certain amount of years.

But alas, I'm stuck with arguing the "no" side of the argument.. I mean, I guess I could say that the only reason it's such a big issue lately is to get THE GOVERNATOR elected.. The motivation to amend the constitution isn't sincere... But other than that I'm pretty much in the dark on it.

It is an opinion question. There's only so much research I can do on the topic... So help me out and give me YOUR opinion. It's much appreciated.

 

[Nerevar]

are you sure you're not arguing whether or not naturalized citizens should be able to be the President? I mean, there are plenty of US citizens born outside the US (military, diplomat families, travelling) who actually are born as US citizens.

 

[AntoneM]

An argument for "no" would be entirely hypothetical. If the US started to allow naturalized citizens to become president it could happen that we end up with a president that is still oyal to thier "homeland" and is effectively controled by that outside government. Among many concerns that this could bring up the most compelling is that it takes away the ablility for the citizens to hold it's government accountable since it's being controlled by another government where the US citizens have no say. Of course this requires that the public be not aware of this outside government controll otehrwise they will hold thier own governmant accountable and vote them out of office (if not revolt).

Not the clearest thing I've ever written but I think the gyst of it gets across.

 

[Zaptruder]

Basically there should be enough eligible candidate in that big fat land of yours, that you don't need to outsource the prime job out.

That said, you fuckers still managed to elect W Bush twice.

 

[karasu]

Yes. Why limit our potential

 

[Blackace]

Basically there should be enough eligible candidate in that big fat land of yours, that you don't need to outsource the prime job out.

That said, you fuckers still managed to elect W Bush twice.

I hate Bush, but how come no one hates on England for Bush's Robin.. Blair...


Anyways, in a perfect world you could call your home where ever you wanted to live, but the world is far from perfect. If you have to stand on the side of no. I would do a little research on a few of the other major powers in the world and see about their stance on it as well.

 

[fallout]

Actually, someone brought this up in a bar last year sometime and a friend of mine made an interesting comment. Can you imagine the reaction if the push to get the Governator into the White House resulted in the first Hispanic President?

Granted, it's not likely, but the minority population is certainly there.

 

[TheQueen'sOwn]

Well that would certainly make my dream come true... A prime minister just doesn't have enough power and/or garner enough respect. =(

 

[Blackace]

Actually, someone brought this up in a bar last year sometime and a friend of mine made an interesting comment. Can you imagine the reaction if the push to get the Governator into the White House resulted in the first Hispanic President?

Granted, it's not likely, but the minority population is certainly there.

I'll be sad if we someone from another country before a black president... (prepares to be sad)

 

[ManaByte]

Arnold '08!

With Jesse Ventura as his running mate and Carl Weathers as Secretary of State.

It's the Predator ticket!

 

[Rabid Wolverine]

Don't forget Sonny Landam.

 

[ManaByte]

Don't forget Sonny Landam.

He can be Secretary of Education.

 

[Zaptruder]

I hate Bush, but how come no one hates on England for Bush's Robin.. Blair...

Because Bush is like Blair and Thatcher combined!

 

[fallout]

I'll be sad if we someone from another country before a black president... (prepares to be sad)

Heh, well, you could've had Colin Powell.

 

[Blackace]

Heh, well, you could've had Colin Powell.

could of, would of, should of....

 

[videogamer]

He might be thinking of naturalized citizens, but no one born outside the US can be President. Period.

If you are born to an American citizen outside of US territory, you can still run for president. I thought this would have been mentioned in the thread already.

 

[DarkAngelYuna]

no, they aren't americans.

 

[ChronoMagnus]

Lets first have Hillary Clinton as president then Barrack Obama as president before we start having foreigners act as our leaders.

 

[videogamer]

no, they aren't americans.

I'm not sure who you are responding to.

1. If to me: link please.
2. If to the thread: note the word "citizen" in the thread title.

 

[Xenon]

No, there should be at least one job in the US that isn't going to be eventually shipped overseas. =P

"Hello sir, I am your president. How may I be of assistance to you today sir?"

"Oh yes sir I see, North Korea has fired a missile, very troubling sir. Can you please hold while I look uh..er figure out how to address this problem."

"Sir, can you read me the model and serial number of the missile please?"
"Hello sir, I am your president. How may I be of assistance to you today, sir."

"Oh yes sir I see, North Korea has fired a missle, very troubling sir. Can you please hold while I look u..er figure out how to address this problem."

"Sir, can you read me the model and serial number of the missle please?"

 

[videogamer]

I've always been told I couldn't be President.

Don't believe their lies.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural-born_citizen
If one of your parents was American when you were born, you should be able to run.

 

[Shin Johnpv]

No

it's pretty much that simple

the main reasons have allready been stated in this thread