selkirk Posted November 17, 2004 Posted November 17, 2004 The republicans are greasing the wheels for Arnold in 2008! Polish Bob gets my vote though! Article In this season of big, divisive election issues, few people are focused on the fine print of the United States Constitution. But there is no better time to glance at Article II, Section 5 and consider changing the outdated language that prohibits foreign-born American citizens from becoming president. .A diverse Capitol Hill coalition - including Senator Orrin Hatch, a Republican, and Representative Barney Frank, a Democrat - is seeking to amend the Constitution to give naturalized citizens in the United States the right to take their political ambitions all the way to the Oval Office. .The founding fathers of the United States wrote the prohibitive language fearing that a foreign monarchy might try to return the new country to the crown - a fear that is obsolete today and is insulting to people who have uprooted their lives to declare their loyalty to the United States. .In a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing this month, Hatch referred to his proposal as the "equal opportunity to govern" amendment. His resolution, similar to two put forth by the House, would allow anyone who has been a naturalized citizen for 20 years to be eligible for the presidency. .The effort has a long way to go to become part of the Constitution, for it must first be approved by two-thirds of Senate as well as the House and would then have to be passed by legislatures in 38 states. The measure is not likely to come up for a vote in these final months of the current Congress, but it should be reintroduced next year and embraced by all Americans seeking a more equitable and dynamic political process. .While Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Austrian-born Republican governor of California, and Jennifer Granholm, the Canadian-born Democratic governor of Michigan, have become the poster candidates for the amendment, the issue is much bigger than two political careers. .Not only has the stricture disqualified star players such as the former secretaries of state Madeleine Albright and Henry Kissinger, it has diminished the horizons of foreign-born adopted children and military personnel, who risk their lives for their country but are not allowed to seek its highest office. .America, with its vibrant demographics - most evident in its growing Hispanic and Asian populations - is no longer the land of white bread. The Constitution was written to encompass change. It can and should remove language that limits the dreams of its citizens. "Naturalized" should never mean "second class." Quote
scott_harpell Posted November 17, 2004 Posted November 17, 2004 Arnold can't become president. Neither can CPB for that matter. Quote
selkirk Posted November 17, 2004 Author Posted November 17, 2004 Did you read the article? A Bi-partisan coalition is going to try and change that so instead of being US-born, you'd need to be a naturalized citizen for 20 years. (no illegal aliens, but the Governator and CPB would be in). Quote
Stefan Posted November 17, 2004 Posted November 17, 2004 I don't think this change will fly. Not even close. Right now the front contendor I think for 2008 is John McCain--and I think everyone knows it and they do not want to upset those chances. Quote
catbirdseat Posted November 17, 2004 Posted November 17, 2004 What is so refreshing about CPB is that, unlike most politicians, he says what is on his mind, knowing full well he'll piss off a large number of people. He doesn't give a shit. Politicians feel they can't afford to lose votes so they mince their words until you can't tell what they are for or against. Quote
Lionel_Hutz Posted November 17, 2004 Posted November 17, 2004 (edited) . Edited November 17, 2004 by Lionel_Hutz Quote
thelawgoddess Posted November 17, 2004 Posted November 17, 2004 mccain? i think they'd be better off pushing someone like giuliani but arnold wouldn't be a bad 2nd choice. besides, laws (and constitutions) can be changed. crazypolishbob would probably have to clean up his colorful language a bit before the masses would take to him. Quote
Distel32 Posted November 17, 2004 Posted November 17, 2004 he'd change the presidential logo to include his infamous sheep shagger drawing Quote
foraker Posted November 17, 2004 Posted November 17, 2004 it's really sad that the quality of presidential candidates in this country has reached such abysmal lows that we are now forced to outsource the job. Quote
thelawgoddess Posted November 17, 2004 Posted November 17, 2004 maybe 'cause nobody in their right mind would want the job? and the good candidates that do, well ... somehow they never even get the chance to run or (in the case of nader) be elected. Quote
Off_White Posted November 17, 2004 Posted November 17, 2004 I think Arnold is actually a stealth social liberal (though economically clueless), but that's not enough reason to amend the constitution. Bob doesn't stand a chance beyond the county level, but wouldn't he make an amazing county council member? "A vote for Bob is a vote for Passion" Quote
AlpineK Posted November 17, 2004 Posted November 17, 2004 I don't know about amending the constitution, but I'd like to see Bob as Secretary of State. Quote
KaskadskyjKozak Posted November 17, 2004 Posted November 17, 2004 Let's send him to mediate the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. I'd be glued to the proceedings on CPAN watching the comedy unfold... Quote
chucK Posted November 17, 2004 Posted November 17, 2004 Speaking of changing rules that put limits on politicians Quote
foraker Posted November 17, 2004 Posted November 17, 2004 Just in case you're under any kind of delusions that Schwarzengger would be different Quote
catbirdseat Posted November 17, 2004 Posted November 17, 2004 I think Arnold is actually a stealth social liberal (though economically clueless), but that's not enough reason to amend the constitution. Bob doesn't stand a chance beyond the county level, but wouldn't he make an amazing county council member? "A vote for Bob is a vote for Passion" You got it. The far right wing of the Republican Party can't stand him. I think the best label for Arnold is "populist", a la Teddy Roosevelt, or Truman. Quote
Dru Posted November 17, 2004 Posted November 17, 2004 Arnold will be dead in 10 years. Steroid abusers rarely live long and Ahnold was seriously on the juice for most of his early career. Quote
thelawgoddess Posted November 17, 2004 Posted November 17, 2004 at least he'd be more entertaining than george w. Quote
foraker Posted November 18, 2004 Posted November 18, 2004 and what would the Republicans do when he started chasing interns around the oval office? and you KNOW he would.... ;-) Quote
EWolfe Posted November 18, 2004 Posted November 18, 2004 Jesus. I can't imagine who his VP would be.... Quote
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