Resolved: That naturalized U.S. citizens should be able to run for President of America

I would like to state, for the understanding of everyone, that anyone born to American citizens is an American citizen, regardless of his/her birthplace and/or upbringing. For example, a boy born to an American citizen, but raised in China for most of his childhood, is still an American citizen and able to run for President. It is not fair to allow such a person the honor of running for President while excluding someone who was simply born out of the country and to non-American citizens. Many exemplary figures have not been born in America, yet have long upheld the beliefs of freedom, justice, and equality for which we stand. Some examples might be Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and perhaps more currently popular, Arnold Schwarzenegger. "We need leaders who know whats best for our country form what they've been taught from birth. for example, if we had a chinese immigrant run for president who has been raised learning that communism is a good thing, we are imposing that are government take a course we have sworn never to enter. Our presidents need to make the right decisions for our country. " A person running for President would not likely get far with a Communist platform in America. Also, people born inside America do not necessarily make the right decisions for the U. S. A. America has a nickname-the Melting Pot--because of all the different ideas and cultures that are given an equal chance, here, to express themselves. We weed out the ideas that are not good for us, such as Communism, and tend to the ideas of Democracy, Equality, and an honest Republic. People come to America for change, because they are tired of the old systems. We epitomize freedom to a lot of people and refusing to allow them into our highest position is hypocritical. As for age limits, I am not against them at all. I think that experience is an important factor in leadership, but so is passion and energy usually found in younger people. I think that the age limit, at 35, is where it should be. I am also all for the minimum of 14 years as a resident. I think this will prove a good judge of character and loyalty. Apart from behavior after becoming naturalized, a person must go through rigorous background checks by a department of the FBI and be able to recall information about our country, to a point where naturally born American citizens might have a hard time. I found one part of my opponent's arguement very interesting: "This is true, but that person is always going to carry aprat of his old beliefs with him. We cannot know that they will not adopt them into the ruling of our country. Its not like their completely useless in law without being born here though. They can still vote, they can still run for other positions of power, such as supreme court membership, etc. But choosing some one for president is a very important process. it involves Choosing the person who holds are freedom in the palm of his/her hands. We need to make the besst decision possible. " I think it is entirely unrealistic to imagine that anyone growing up in America cannot be influenced by other countries and their governments and decisions. We are a free country, and we do not censure access to any information, whether our government agress with it or not. Is it so hard to believe that an American can be influenced by a foreign figure so much so that the judgements and ideals from that person come through in the American? Likewise, it can go in the opposite direction. A foreigner might be so impressed by, say, Martin Luther King Jr. , that he/she begins a new movement against apartheid in other countries. I think that a good outside influence can be very good for a country, opening it to new beliefs for it to pick and choose at the best. I have to go but I look forward to reading your response later. . http://immigration.findlaw.com...