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Should individuals born in foreign countries be able to run for president?

Should they?

  • yes

    Votes: 31 30.7%

  • no

    Votes: 63 62.4%

  • other

    Votes: 7 6.9%
  • Total voters
    101
Le Marteau said:
Why was that funny, in particular? As I recall, the French and British Empires were the second and first, respectively, largest and most powerful empires in the history of man.
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Were is the operative word there, I would think. As for the Brits or French being the best at anything now, that is just so damn funny.

If I were you, an American, I should be salivating at the thought of a Frenchman or a Brit running your country -- learn from the best.
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If by American, you mean USA citizen, what makes you think I am an American? :doh


.
 
I voted yes.

If an individual has proven themsleves capable of leading, proven their respect for the country, proven they are presidential material, then why shouldn't they be able to run for presidential office? The original purpose of this rule was simply to stop some of British or other nationality arising to power when America was still young, but we've beyond that era and no longer need such restrictions. And let's not forget that not all American born citizens should be eligible for president, some people shouldn't be anywhere near such power *cough Sarah Palin cough*. But if person such as Arnold Schwarzenegger proves himself capable, I see no reason to deny him presidency.
 
Savage Brain said:
...And let's not forget that not all American born citizens should be eligible for president, some people shouldn't be anywhere near such power...
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I feel that way about that stupid idiot Barack Obama. The biggest asshole in the world.
 
Personally... I'd be inclined to disqual anyone born in another country, unless both parents were American citizens and they actually grew up in America. I'd also be inclined to disqual anyone who had one non-citizen parent and spent much of their minority in a foreign country.

It isn't xenophobia. America has a unique political and cultural matrix that needs to be experienced to be fully understood. Someone who grew up under conditions where their sense of national identity might be in question should not Prez. Someone who might not appreciate our heritage and rights seems to me to be a dubious choice for that top office.
 
A casual scan of the intellectual giants who have occupied the position prior to the incumbent points toward expanding the potential gene pool as far as possible.
 
Do those that think that America should allow foreign people to become our leader think that Americans should be able to become leader in other foreign countries?
 
Viktyr Korimir said:
Naturalized citizens are often more patriotic than natural-born citizens. I have no problem with allowing anyone who has demonstrated leadership and service to their country to run for any office.

Is Governor Schwarzenegger any less of an American than President Obama?
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Great point. I'm not a fan of Arny - but that's because of political reasons. Is he an American, 100%? I would say most definiately.
 
Yes.

We have many 'checks' in place already too. First, they have to be voted in by the people. Then they can always be impeached if they don't follow their oath. So the worst case is that they fool the majority of America. Even if they do that, their hands are still tied to a point. It's not like they can have the military attack US cities...
 
fredmertz said:
Yes.

We have many 'checks' in place already too. First, they have to be voted in by the people. ....
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How is that working out for ya? :doh

.
 
Ikari said:
Do those that think that America should allow foreign people to become our leader think that Americans should be able to become leader in other foreign countries?
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Who said this was about foreigners, as opposed to citizens not naturalized [as in born foreign, but became full citizens]?
 
Ikari said:
Do those that think that America should allow foreign people to become our leader think that Americans should be able to become leader in other foreign countries?
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No ones saying foreigners, just citizens born elsewhere. And I'd have no problem if an person born in America, but solely an Australian citizen ran for PM. The Premier of NSW has only been Australian for 11 years, prior to that she was American, and I would actually prefer her to the current (Welsh born) chick we have running the country now.
 
The Mark said:
The current rules prevent a long-term mole being trained at an early age, immigrating to the US, and running for president late in life. Or in your scenario, within 10 years
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If someone could be trained to be a mole and get through the entire process without anything coming to light, we DESERVE whatever comes of that.
 
spud_meister said:
No ones saying foreigners, just citizens born elsewhere. And I'd have no problem if an person born in America, but solely an Australian citizen ran for PM. The Premier of NSW has only been Australian for 11 years, prior to that she was American, and I would actually prefer her to the current (Welsh born) chick we have running the country now.
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Don't forget the Aussie PM Julia Gillard is Welsh, though she lost her accent growing up in Adelaide.
 
Manc Skipper said:
Don't forget the Aussie PM Julia Gillard is Welsh, though she lost her accent growing up in Adelaide.
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And, if she'd lost the election, the bloke that would've been PM instead is British born. (we relegate politics to foreigners, kinda like driving taxis, it's one of those jobs Aussies don't want to do:mrgreen:)
 
Careful what you wish for folks...

arnold.jpg
 
spud_meister said:
we relegate politics to foreigners, kinda like driving taxis, it's one of those jobs Aussies don't want to do:mrgreen:)
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Yeah, but didn't I read somewhere that you blokes started off as a penile colony?
 
This question really boils down to two questions:

1) is the risk of a non-US citizen born corrupt politician significantly greater than a US citizen born corrupt politician being able to make it to the presidency of the US?

2) Let's assume the worst case and someone with ill-intent makes it to presidency. How much damage could he/she do as president before getting impeached? The president isn't a king... his word is not sovereign.
 
We shipped crims to the American colonies as well, but Aus was the world's first open prison! ;)

sign-dorset-transportation
 
Le Marteau said:
I thought Schwarzenegger did pretty well for California?
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Ehhhh....yes and no. I think he slowed a general downward spiral and put the brakes on a bad situation getting worse. He sort of ham-handed everything else, but I do think he kept an admittedly very bad situation left by his predecessor from getting significantly worse.

He inherited a screwed up situation and didnt completely nose-dive it, so I have to give him that
 
The Mark said:
True.

But it would make recruiting a long-term mole harder for a rival state, if they had to recruit a natural-born citizen.

Still, that's not the only reason.

A life-long citizen who has grown and lives in the USA is more likely to understand many aspects of the country than a recent immigrant - and we're asking them to lead the country.
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I have probably spent no more than ten months of my life on US soil.

I am a foreigner that was educated overseas.

And I am pretty confident that I would beat 75% of American born US citizens in a "knowledge of US history and politics" contest. Possibly 95% actually. And I 'aint that good either.

Why don't Americans trust the American people to make the right decision? What's wrong with Tom Paine, Arnie Shwartzenegger, Carey Grant, Stan Laurel, Christopher Hitchens...? Just Americans that I can recall off the top of my head that were not born as such. These guys are all what its about aren't they? They actually renounced the foreign princes. In Paine's case with some style and at considerable risk to himself.
 
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Manc Skipper said:
Don't forget the Aussie PM Julia Gillard is Welsh, though she lost her accent growing up in Adelaide.
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Is Adelaide the Birmingham of Australia? That drawl of Gillard's...it just sounds awful...the worst Australian accent you can imagine.
 
I had to vote no because it really depends on the case (and I'm not even going to go into the fact that it's unconstitutional):

Case A: Immigrant is born in country X, but comes to America at a young age and has fully adapted to the US.

Answer: Sure, they understand how the US works and have adopted the US as their home.

Case B: Immigrant has just recently immigrated to the US

Answer: No, seeing as how they do not understand US culture and politics.
 
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