Indian for President of United States - is that possible?
As we approach Presidential elections in 2012 and numerous candidates throw their hat's in the political ring, this is a obvious outcome, which i am sure many Indian Americans would like to see happen.
Now, this is a real possibility. Governor of Louisiana, Governor Bobby (Piyush) Jindal is eligible for the office of the President, as his recently released birth certificate shows. Governor Jindal is not a 'candidate' as of yet, but the door is open, should he decide to run.
Any "American" of foreign descent can aspire to be President of United States of America, the most powerful nation in the world, but the caveat is that "you have to born here".
The Constitution of United States, as it was written by the founding fathers - Article II, Section 1, Clause 5 states that : No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.
Living in Quincy MA, birth place of founding father and 2nd US President John Adams, I can very well understand the 'reasoning' behind why this clause was put in the constitution. And anyone who has read history can understand the fear of the founding fathers of treason and sabotage by a person not born on this soil, given their deep anguish to separate from the mother land "England". But today , as we have seen, one does not have to be born in another country to have 'ill feelings' toward the US. One example is that of Timothy McVeigh and Oklahoma City bombing (1995) considered to be most destructive act of terrorism on American soil until the September 11, 2001 attacks. A strong case can be made for those becoming naturalized citizens, having a deep sense of 'loyalty' to this country because of the circumstances they have left behind to want to work hard and obtain citizenship of this great country.
The Constitution cannot be changed, but a clause can be added to allow for a person, born outside the United States to make such an attempt.
Naturalized citizens consider this country as their home, just like those born here and spend many years of their valuable lives, toiling hard to earn the privilege to be called "Americans". They pay taxes, vote, buy homes, invest in the economy and their children attend schools here. They should therefore be offered the same opportunity to put their 'tears and sweat' to good use and the use of their experiences to make this country a solid global leader.
Its going to take some changes, before first generation Indian American's can become President of the US but with their children, its a real possibility like Governor Bobby Jindal.
As we approach Presidential elections in 2012 and numerous candidates throw their hat's in the political ring, this is a obvious outcome, which i am sure many Indian Americans would like to see happen.
Now, this is a real possibility. Governor of Louisiana, Governor Bobby (Piyush) Jindal is eligible for the office of the President, as his recently released birth certificate shows. Governor Jindal is not a 'candidate' as of yet, but the door is open, should he decide to run.
Any "American" of foreign descent can aspire to be President of United States of America, the most powerful nation in the world, but the caveat is that "you have to born here".
The Constitution of United States, as it was written by the founding fathers - Article II, Section 1, Clause 5 states that : No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.
Living in Quincy MA, birth place of founding father and 2nd US President John Adams, I can very well understand the 'reasoning' behind why this clause was put in the constitution. And anyone who has read history can understand the fear of the founding fathers of treason and sabotage by a person not born on this soil, given their deep anguish to separate from the mother land "England". But today , as we have seen, one does not have to be born in another country to have 'ill feelings' toward the US. One example is that of Timothy McVeigh and Oklahoma City bombing (1995) considered to be most destructive act of terrorism on American soil until the September 11, 2001 attacks. A strong case can be made for those becoming naturalized citizens, having a deep sense of 'loyalty' to this country because of the circumstances they have left behind to want to work hard and obtain citizenship of this great country.
The Constitution cannot be changed, but a clause can be added to allow for a person, born outside the United States to make such an attempt.
Naturalized citizens consider this country as their home, just like those born here and spend many years of their valuable lives, toiling hard to earn the privilege to be called "Americans". They pay taxes, vote, buy homes, invest in the economy and their children attend schools here. They should therefore be offered the same opportunity to put their 'tears and sweat' to good use and the use of their experiences to make this country a solid global leader.
Its going to take some changes, before first generation Indian American's can become President of the US but with their children, its a real possibility like Governor Bobby Jindal.
(courtecy: Times of India)
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