The Constitutional Ban on a Foreign-Born President

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) may not appreciate the wisdom of our forefathers in limiting the presidency to “natural-born” citizens, but I do (Feb. 23). Even if an immigrant has lived in the United States for 20 years or more, there is still a feeling of loyalty to his home country.

In 2003, instead of President Bush, suppose our president had been born in Iraq. Would that president have given the order to invade his home country? Or, wouldn’t a president born in Europe still feel some loyalty for his home country or even another European country? We should not take the risk that our president’s decisions in foreign policy might possibly be influenced by loyalty to his country (or continent) of birth. Leave our constitutional requirement as it is.

Robert H. Congelliere

San Pedro

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Our governor would like the U.S. Constitution amended to permit naturalized American citizens born abroad to serve as president. I presume his reasoning stems from the principle that no one in this democracy should be denied equal rights due to an accident of birth. Despite the fact that this limitation on the presidency is a tradition established by the founding fathers, I agree with him. Traditions should change as the world changes, and civil rights should expand.

How, then, is the governor able to defend his position that civil marriage be denied to millions of American citizens because they are same-sex couples? They did not choose their sexual orientation any more than he chose to be born in Austria. He belongs to a political party ready to amend the Constitution to deny people their rights. Does he understand how hypocritical all of this appears?

David Rothstein

Rancho Mirage

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What a surprise! Schwarzenegger is in favor of amending our Constitution to allow foreign-born citizens to become president. Along with this, I believe that Bill Gates is for eliminating those pesky monopoly laws, Janet Jackson is not a huge fan of the FCC, and prisoners are not at all in favor of internment.

Schwarzenegger was correct about one thing. Many naturalized citizens have indeed contributed greatly to this country. However, he should note that they have done so from positions other than as president of the U.S. This constitutional provision was wisely put in place.

William O. Gaynor

Newbury Park