It seems to me this lifetime citizenship stuff is a bit excessive. I say test people every five years to see if they deserve to remain citizens. Just because you're born here shouldn't mean you get a citizenship pass for life.
After reading the U.S. citizenship test in our paper on the Fourth of July, I concluded that every American ought to pass it with a 90% score. If you don't, you become an illegal immigrant, and must move into the shadows to participate in our society.
Your Social Security Number would be suspended. You could not work legally. That might even make you take jobs in agriculture and the hotel industry -- the ones that Americans won't take now. Until you pass the test, you're in legal limbo. You'd be in danger of being deported to your country of origin. Those who are native born may have to go back a few generations to figure out where they'd be sent.
But we could work all this out. It would just take a little tinkering with the Constituiton. Heck, President Bush might even declare it law without even looking at the Constitution. He'll have to ask the vice president if it's OK. (Do you think the president could pass the citizenship test?)
Meanwhile, maybe with so many people becoming illegal, Congress could pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill. Our leaders have ducked this problem so far.
What do you think about mandatory citizenship testing? It could be done at the same time we have mandatory drug testing for every citizen. I also think that if you're 20 pounds overweight, your citizenship should be suspended. That's what's wrong with America. It's too fat. Ugly, too. Maybe we could get an uglymeter for those who are ugly. I don't know about you, but I'm darned tired of people saying we're ugly Americans. Well, some of you are, and that's not right. Let's deport the ugly ones.
That's a great suggestion. I've always thought that most native born Americans, who got to be citizens by default, would most likey not be able to pass the citizenship test. It definitely would be interesting to see how the majority of America does. And if they fail, of course, we'll deport them!
http://immigrantreform.blogspot.com/
I see one problem - where do we deport ex-citizens to? Albania, maybe?
The idea of pushing Congress to act is surely superb. And making them take the test first would be better yet. If they failed, deport them!
I don't know if the average American can pass a comprehensive American history test for citizenship or not, but I would not be surprised if 50 percent failed the first time.
That is stupid idea. We have too many people who are interacial now a days. How do you determine where to send these people? What about white folks, they consider themselves "Americans" do we deport them to Europe or back to the U.S.A. This would be to bias, only those who are white would consider such things.
Another slap in the face for those who were born to legal parents and those who worked hard to become citizens of the United States. Thanks Jim.
The only problem with this idea would be:
What Country would take in dumb, most likely, fat unwanted Americans.
It is a good idea in gest, maybe we would have less idiots on the road thus preventing fatal accidents.
Jim a piece of advice: If you're thinking about going into comedy, don't quit your day job.
Birth-right citizenship didn't come into the Constitution until the 14th amendment in 1868.
Some of the questions and answers on that test raised my eyebrows.
87. Where does freedom of speech come from? A. The Bill of Rights (This is a natural right pre-existing the Constitution.)
90. Name one of the purposes of the United Nations. A. For countries to discuss and try to resolve world problems or to provide economic aid to many countries. (The UN has nothing to do with the USA.)
91. Name one benefit of being a citizen of the United States. A. To obtain federal government jobs, to travel with a U.S. passport or to petition for close relatives to come to the United States to live. (How about living free and the opportunities that come along with that?)
93. What is the most important right granted to U.S. citizens? A. The right to vote. (What about the right to life, liberty, and property? In a democracy, the ability to vote IS important, but the US is NOT a democracy. If the force of the law is properly restricted, the ability to vote is not very important. See questions 56 and 89.)
"Another slap in the face for those who were born to legal parents and those who worked hard to become citizens of the United States."
Those who worked hard to become citizens would probably have no trouble passing the test. And it doesn't take any effort at all to be born in this country, just luck.
Darn right I feel lucky and blessed to have been born here. Do you? It's upsetting to see citizenship cheapened by lawbreakers and lawmakers sympathetic to illegal aliens.Jim's poor attempt at humor helps cheapen what should be considered precious.
I think you missed Jim's point entirely. He is showing how we native-born citizens take our citizenship for granted, and often don't bother educate ourselves about the ideals and concepts this country is based on.
If anyone cheapens the right of citizenship, it is US, not those who risk their lives and liberty to get here (rightly or wrongly). It is people who don't bother to exercise their right to vote, or don't educate themselves about the candidates and issues. People know all about Paris Hilton, but nothing about the Treaty of Paris.
Illegal aliens don't have the power to cheapen your citizenship, sir. No one can cheapen it except you.
Right on Jim!
Should we start with the members of our Fresno silly council and our Calif. members of Congress, most of whom seem to have forgotten why they serve?
Some of you Americans sure get defensive about your citizenship. Are you proud of gaining it legally, just by the fact that you were born here? Before you go off and bash this post, try gaining a sense of humor and learning what satire is.