My Obsession with the 14th Amendment

I love the 14th Amendment because it really describes American Law, Philosophy, Principles, and what it means to be an American.

The 14th Amendment passed in 1865 may not be one of the original parts of the U.S. Constitution but it is a goody.  Section 1 is the best because it speaks about who is a U.S. Citizen, equality, due process, and privileges but for the exact text – see below:

“All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State in wherein they reside.  No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges and immunities of citizens of the United States;nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”

As for the Birther Issue with Ted Cruz… While the U.S. Supreme Court has never officially ruled on the term “natural born citizen,” the 14th amendment does not say natural born citizen it says “born or naturalized in the U.S. are citizens of the United States…  So while Senator Ted Cruz was born in Canada to an American mother, he has a U.S. Passport and has rescinded his dual citizenship.  Does it matter that the U.S. Supreme Court has never decided on Article II Section 1 Subsection 5’s “natural born Citizen?”  Probably not.

Does it matter where a country’s leader is born? – http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35257609

Most people would give an arm and a leg for American Citizenship because it comes with the American Passport which allows you to wander to many countries without a visa and if you do need a visa, you can usually buy one at the airport or any other border crossing.  However, if you were worshiped as Stephon Marbury is in China, you might give up your American citizenship too.  Seriously, a museum to boot called The House of Marbury 😀

Stephon Marbury opens personal museum in Beijing – http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/2015-12/22/content_22774224.htm

Stephon Marbury: The NBA Player Who Embraced China – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-35173689

Stephon Marbury Gains Museum, and Green Card, in China – http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/24/world/asia/stephon-marbury-china-basketball.html