The biggest fight in politics is the current one between Donald Trump and Ted Cruz over Cruz’s eligibility to be President. Trump is citing a clause in the Constitution which holds that candidates must be “natural-born citizens”. And Cruz was born to an American mother in The Islamic State (or maybe it was Canada). So the question these two “candidates” are squabbling over is whether being born outside the U.S disqualifies you for office.
Like on most every issue, both Cruz and Trump don’t know what they’re talking about.
The framers of the Constitution were visionaries. They dispersed power to prevent its concentration and save the country in case someone like Trump or Cruz ever became President. They somehow foresaw the country getting dumber year after year while the technology got better and better. So they set up a government that could adapt to change and handle things they couldn’t envision in the future.
So the meaning of “natural-born” is obvious. It means exactly what it says. You can’t be born via a c-section or through in-vitro fertilization (IVF). You have to be born the natural way.
I know what I’m talking about. There are two lawyers in my family and I used to watch the Peoples Court back in college. Which makes me slightly more informed on legal matters than Donald Trump is.
Perhaps “natural born” could also mean born without any drugs. I believe the saying is that one will move to Canada if one these clowns get elected. What are the legalization laws on drugs in Canada??? Inquiring minds need to know because I don’t think I will be able to survive without them.
One definition of “a natural” is “one born without the usual powers of reason and understanding”—with a possible synonym being “cretin.” So I think we have to concede that both Cruz and Trump qualify as “natural-born.”
Another definition of “natural” could be “raised by wolves or apes.” I won’t insult the wolves and apes of this world by conjecturing that they would consent to raise either Trump or Cruz.
Therefore, if we use this definition, neither of the two is eligible to run for President.
Both you and Bill raise excellent points.