Indeed, a constitution amendment is considered on the fallacy that immigrants' children are deteriorating the country or "consuming all the pie" from the existing residents, while that's not true.
With all the rights that come with citizenship, there comes responsibility and contribution as well. So indeed, I agree with Justin that those who are not responsible, whatever their roots, should not expect their full rights (to vote, to state aid ..etc).
suzanne - 14 years ago
Can we make it retroactive to 1492?
Justin - 14 years ago
Absolutely it should be amended!
And here is what I suggest: citizenship should be granted to only those who are willing to earn it. No citizenship by birth for anyone! Why create a birth-right to citizenship for hundreds of thousands of Americans who don't know the first damn thing about freedom, self-reliance, democracy or hard-work? Americans who think its their Constitutional right to consume more than they can possibly contribute?
Nay! A wide-assed Nation of entitlement and comfort no more! I suggest that citizenship be open ONLY to those folks who can show commitment to the rugged ideals our nation was founded on.
Mexican-national but willing to work hard and stay out of trouble? Citizen.
American-born, unemployed with three felony convictions? Deport.
Haitian immigrant who was willing to fashion a raft out of a 2x4 and a rubber tire to reach Miami? Citizen.
American who can't fathom walking a half-mile to the store rather than taking his gas-guzzling SUV? Deport.
We claim to be concerned about the 14th Amendment's citizenship-by-birth provisions because of foreign-nationals who cross the border to have children on U.S. soil and (so the theory goes) then use the child's-citizenship rights to secure federal and state aid while draining the coffers. Shouldn't that logic apply across the board? If we are willing to amend the Constitution to root out "citizenship-abuse" why stop with immigrants? There are plenty of American who could use a little kick in the ass, too.
Indeed, I would submit that at least foreign-nationals are willing to leave their families, cultures, and homelands to travel to a place where they are reviled while most Americans can't be bothered to pick up after themselves, turn off the lights when they leave the room, or spend an evening without the television.
Simply put: if citizenship was conditional, we'd all be better citizens.
Justin, You just made my day. thank you.
Indeed, a constitution amendment is considered on the fallacy that immigrants' children are deteriorating the country or "consuming all the pie" from the existing residents, while that's not true.
With all the rights that come with citizenship, there comes responsibility and contribution as well. So indeed, I agree with Justin that those who are not responsible, whatever their roots, should not expect their full rights (to vote, to state aid ..etc).
Can we make it retroactive to 1492?
Absolutely it should be amended!
And here is what I suggest: citizenship should be granted to only those who are willing to earn it. No citizenship by birth for anyone! Why create a birth-right to citizenship for hundreds of thousands of Americans who don't know the first damn thing about freedom, self-reliance, democracy or hard-work? Americans who think its their Constitutional right to consume more than they can possibly contribute?
Nay! A wide-assed Nation of entitlement and comfort no more! I suggest that citizenship be open ONLY to those folks who can show commitment to the rugged ideals our nation was founded on.
Mexican-national but willing to work hard and stay out of trouble? Citizen.
American-born, unemployed with three felony convictions? Deport.
Haitian immigrant who was willing to fashion a raft out of a 2x4 and a rubber tire to reach Miami? Citizen.
American who can't fathom walking a half-mile to the store rather than taking his gas-guzzling SUV? Deport.
We claim to be concerned about the 14th Amendment's citizenship-by-birth provisions because of foreign-nationals who cross the border to have children on U.S. soil and (so the theory goes) then use the child's-citizenship rights to secure federal and state aid while draining the coffers. Shouldn't that logic apply across the board? If we are willing to amend the Constitution to root out "citizenship-abuse" why stop with immigrants? There are plenty of American who could use a little kick in the ass, too.
Indeed, I would submit that at least foreign-nationals are willing to leave their families, cultures, and homelands to travel to a place where they are reviled while most Americans can't be bothered to pick up after themselves, turn off the lights when they leave the room, or spend an evening without the television.
Simply put: if citizenship was conditional, we'd all be better citizens.