This is the simple and indisputable definition: Two citizens who have a child, naturally create a new citizen. This is a Natural Born Citizen.
There is absolutely no expert either legal or historical who will argue to the contrary. They may argue to include additional citizens, but this is the core of the definition.
Two people who have a child in a location, have a citizen who is native to that land. This is a Native Born Citizen. Thus, terms like "Native American" which imply a location and not an allegiance to a country.
A person can be both Natural Born and Native Born, or in the United States we also have Naturalized Citizens who are foreign born but have legally become citizens.
Why is this an important issue?
The United States is a Democratic Republic. Republics are representative governments, government through representatives of the people. Because a democratic republic represents the people, it has some inherent vulnerabilities to foreign and opposing powers.
The most pressing vulnerability is the election to power of a representative of a foreign power or ideology. Foreign governments can use their money, power and influence to overwhelm the electoral process because individual citizens of a republic cannot compete with an entire determined nation when running for office.
Once elected, a foreign puppet would then pursue national or ideological interests to the detriment of the interests of the people of the republic. The puppet prince's declarations end the representative republic from within by undermining the trust, authority and legitimacy of the republic.
The founders of the United States were educated men who understood this threat and built several layers of protection against this existential threat.
- Natural Born Citizen eligibility requirement to prevent puppet princes from running for president.
- Political parties who vet and certify candidates prior to the general election.
- The Electoral College to mitigate the risk that the masses choose a president who is an existential threat to the republic by adding a layer of representatives who cast the final ballot for the people.
On July 25, 1787, John Jay, who later became the Chief Justice of the United States under George Washington, wrote a letter to George Washington regarding the first draft of Article II of The Constitution. In the letter he specifically asks that only Natural Born citizens be eligible for the presidency in order to subvert foreign interests.
“..cut off all chances for ambitious foreigners, who might otherwise be intriguing for the office.”
Two days after reading the request, the requirement was adopted without discussion or debate.
Article II, Section 1, Clause 5 of U.S. Constitution as adopted 17 Sep 1787:
"No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States."
How do we know what the founders meant by Natural Born Citizen?
Legal Insurrection has a summary of all the factors that encompass the legal debate. I disagree with the opinions in this article, but there is a lot of excellent information for researching this issue. The legal opinions that dominate this discussion lack historical context. Some historical context to consider...
In 1787, the biggest foe of the United States was the British Empire. However, all the kings of Europe were embroiled in wars for power and money. Any of these kings might scheme against America and take an American wife or have a prince born on American soil with the goal of establishing a puppet ruler in the newly formed American government. The resource rich Americas would then be ruled as under British rule, through a "Governor," but under the illusion of sovereignty.
Remember, these were men familiar with farms and animals. Every one of America's founders knew what our legal experts have forgotten;
A horse and a horse beget a horse.
A donkey and a donkey beget a donkey.
A horse and a donkey beget neither a horse nor a donkey, but a mule.
Having one citizen parent does not mean allegiance is necessarily to our country, our culture or our republic. Having two citizen parents does not necessitate loyalty either, but at least We The People have every chance to assimilate Natural Born Citizens into our culture. If we fail to assimilate our own core citizens into our culture, the republic will not endure in any event.
This is the most alarming aspect of the rank ignorance in America today. Legal scholars, the education system and the press are so unenlightened that this simple historical fact is deemed political incorrect an assigned the derogatory term "Birther."
Consequences
As stated above, Americans face an existential threat to our form of government and the rights it is meant to ensure. However, this is about more than America, it is about the future of human freedom and human rights.
There are only 2 political ideas in the world of men; men rule men or men rule themselves.
If men rule other men, no amount of technology or "progress" will ever lead to peace. War for conquest, power and to struggle for freedom will forever plaque our existence until we destroy ourselves.
If men are to rule themselves, we must protect ourselves from those of us who are obsessed with the desire to rule us, deceive us, mislead us, and undermine our ideas and culture. Humanity needs America as a strong representation of men ruling themselves.
