Filipinos vie for seat in U.S. House
By MARK NIESSE, Associated Press Writer
Sat Aug 19, 3:16 AM ET
HONOLULU - Two Filipino-Americans are struggling against long odds and a crowded field of candidates — including each other — to become the first member of Congress from one of the nation's largest immigrant groups.
2006-08-21 04:22:17 · 26 answers · asked by MaSTeR 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
Why not Native Americans? Are you aware we had a Native American Vice-President under Hoover?
Charles Curtis (January 25, 1860 – February 8, 1936) was a Representative and a Senator from Kansas as well as the 31st Vice President of the United States. Curtis was of American Indian ancestry. His mother was Kaw.
(Nice looking man, too!!)
In 2000, Brad Carson, former Congressman, Cherokee Indian, represented Oklahoma.
2006-08-21 05:01:14 · answer #1 · answered by «»RUBY«» 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why not 'MaSTeR'? Once they meet the requirements to become US citizens, they should also enjoy all rights under the constitution. In fact, there are many immigrants from different countries already occupying important positions in the government, including elected offices. Maybe, one day, the Office of President may also be open to any citizens to contest irrespective of their ethnic origin.
By the way, structure your question to read: Should immigrants have seats in the Congress?
2006-08-21 11:34:41 · answer #2 · answered by Sami V 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
there are already plenty of immigrants in congress
several cuban ones here in Florida
born in Cuba, etc.
heck, even some people in the presidential line of ascencion weren't born in the US, they're not eligible for the presidency though (they just skip over them) but this isn't anything new. Except maybe that they're filipinos... the fact they're immigrants in congress means nothing.
Check our Mel Martinez, for example.
Michael D - Only US Citizens can run for public office, it's one of the perks... they wouldn't be able to run if they weren't US Citizens, they wer eprobably just born in the Phillipines
Hey, Madeline Albright... born in Czechoslovakia, I believe (pre-communist) grew up in Switzerland, immigrated to the US as an adult... former secretary of state... bet you didn't know she was an immigrant.
2006-08-21 11:30:21 · answer #3 · answered by corpsnerd09 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We've already had TONS of LEGAL immigrants in congress. Why shouldn't we have any Filipino Americans? If they are good candidates, that's all that matters. They can never become president, but so what?
2006-08-21 11:52:12 · answer #4 · answered by tianjingabi 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Immigrants already have seats in congress, Tom Lantos for example was originally from Hungary. Why shouldn't they after they become citizens?
By dividing the filipino vote though, it wouldn't surprise me if neither of them were elected.
2006-08-21 11:31:56 · answer #5 · answered by Rossonero NorCal SFECU 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have the qualifications, you should get the job... within a few limits of course. But there is no reason that a citizen of the US with a big political background shouldn't be able to get into congress.
2006-08-21 11:29:42 · answer #6 · answered by Behhar B 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why not? If they are here legally and they meet the qualifications to run for congress as spelled out in the constitution, then there is no reason that they can't run or shouldn't run.
2006-08-21 11:31:18 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they can only hold seats if they are citizens and if they get voted in from the area they are running for. they are not representing an immigrant group they are representing an area in Hawaii. they just happen to be immigrants but they are citizens.
2006-08-21 11:30:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they're born in the US yes, if not no.
spork---What Nazis, are you living in the 40's
or are you jewish, if so don't you think we already have enough
in politics, media and entertainment industry? Jewish people I mean, and besides I am not a racist, if you should be thinking that, I just have enough of that nazi crap that happened 65 years ago. Should you not think about the talibans, Saddam and Stalin?
And have not the Americans killed with the bomb.
Get with the program
2006-08-21 11:28:33 · answer #9 · answered by Mightymo 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
only us citizens should be allowed..so if one of the immigrants goes through the proper channels to become a citizen, they should have the right to go for a seat..otherwise..find a different chair
2006-08-21 11:30:01 · answer #10 · answered by Michael D 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋