and not a given right? Like with government service, or something. That unless you prove your loyalty to the nation, you cannot vote?
2006-11-22 08:35:26 · 11 answers · asked by Common Sense 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
I've often thought that everyone should have to pass the same test as an immigrant who is being naturalized before they get the full rights of citizenship. What we get free we don't value, and far to many people in the U.S. value neither their citizenship nor their freedoms. I sometimes feel they don't even value their country. I wouldn't require government service or anything like that for citizenship, that smacks too much of a police state, and it should be something that can't simply be paid for but which will require both work and study. It would be possible for a person to live in this country without passing the test if they so chose, like a legal alien, they just couldn't vote, hold public office, receive a passport, serve as an Officer of a Court, serve as an Officer in the Armed Forces, or be eligible for government benefits and assistance. They would still pay their taxes like any other legal alien. When U.S. Citizenship is a privilege to be earned, and not a free prize, people might start taking their responsibilities more seriously.
2006-11-22 09:12:41 · answer #1 · answered by rich k 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. Government works for the people, not the other way around. If you live in this country and have no other place to call home, why should politicians be allowed to ignore you just because you haven't passed your loyalty test? Furthermore, there aren't enough government jobs to go around, so I'd have to assume that "government service" would mean joining the military, which given our country's present military might, would be (to quote Gandalf the Gray) a power too great and terrible to imagine.
2006-11-22 09:35:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not a bad concept, but what would be the qualifiers? Military service, what about starting a successful business? Inventing something important (medical perhaps)? Exposing government corruption?
There are endless possibilities. The real question is what is the threshold for citizenship?
2006-11-22 09:05:30 · answer #3 · answered by Big Super 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Other countries ask for a skill and job that will benefit their economy. You have to prove that you will be gainfully employed. We don't even ask for that much here.
Loyalty has nothing to do with it. It's about Civic responsibility. How many people still respect the American flag? At least 50% of Americans don't even know the words to our National Anthem. So....what was that about loyalty?
2006-11-22 13:20:14 · answer #4 · answered by Big Bear 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't see it happening.This u . s . a . is broke. Why would not Mexico ever coach any interest in knowledgeable Mexicans asking them again on decrease back domicile and help in making Mexico a extra useful place.After residing in this u . s . a ., they could use that wisdom to create variations in Mexico otherwise we can elect a life time of dream act's.there is no in basic terms this one time, dream act enable's do it, we heard all this 86 do exactly it and unlawful immigration would be resolved. worry is further and added illegals start up exhibiting up and as their numbers advance, they draw on the element of the immigration equipment is broken , using fact yet another 10 million illegals did not get on the spot citizenship and now they elect yet another amnesty and added and added illegals will nevertheless ensue and added and added supporters will elect yet another amnesty each 6 months till the rustic burst.Mexico on no account makes any efforts to reform their u . s . a ..
2016-12-29 08:34:12 · answer #5 · answered by osuch 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In 'Starship Troopers' by Robert Heinlein, only military veterans (not active duty) could vote or hold office. Their stated reason was that veterans had proven by their service that they valued their country more than their own safety.
By this yardstick, John Kerry could be President, but George Bush could not. (Heinlein didn't have a concept for National Guard. Either you ARE in the army, or you're not. No middle ground.) Eisenhower could be President, but not FDR. Kennedy could be President, but not Nixon, Carter but not Reagan. Washington, but not Jefferson. Grant, but not Lincoln.
So, be careful what you wish for. You might get it.
2006-11-22 09:33:21 · answer #6 · answered by Chredon 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Citizenship is earned. However for most people it was earned by others. And since they got it for free - they have no sense of its value.
Anybody who thinks that their citizenship and their freedoms for free needs to visit a National Cemetery.
2006-11-22 08:47:16 · answer #7 · answered by MikeGolf 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
well... the main problem with your question is... who decides what the "rules" are for the program...
I doubt a Republican would like a Democratic congress to decide the rules for "who should be a citizen"... and likewise for Democrats and a Republican congress...
be carefull what you ask for... or you just might get it... and what happens if you don't pass the "test"?
and rules can always be changed by whoever is in congress...
2006-11-22 09:21:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you pay taxes you should have the right to vote. That was the the whole point of the revolutionary war. Don't be dense.
2006-11-22 08:41:37 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Some of us already have.
2006-11-22 08:43:16 · answer #10 · answered by S.A.M. Gunner 7212 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋