I'm calling you out, Republicans...specifically, evangelicals...because your hypocrisy is showing...
I know I know...everyone has some hypocrite somewhere in them...somewhere they have conflict or can be contradictory...
Trump was recently recorded, on video, saying several lies, while also saying he wanted to write an executive order to change Amendment 14 of the Constitution (birthright citizenship) to extend ONLY to babies born of US citizens.
Typically, conservatives take the stance of interpreting the Constitution literally - very much how they take the Bible.
From Amendment 14, section 1:
"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 wherein they reside. "
Seems pretty cut and dry to me. "All" - pretty inclusive word. "Subject to the jurisdiction" is what is called into question - basically saying, if you 'belong' to another country somehow, then you are exempt from your child being a citizen of the US...
Others argue that anyone living here are thusly subject to the US jurisdiction - regardless if they are a tourist or illegal immigrant...meaning, any child born here, with the exception of diplomat children, are considered US Citizens at birth.
I take the latter opinion, and that is what has been in play, historically, for quite some time. Paul Ryan also spoke out against ending birthright citizenship. There is precedent from Plyler v. Doe(1981), "the protection of the Fourteenth Amendment extends to anyone, citizen or stranger, who is subject to the laws of a State". So history and law agree, children born here, with few exceptions, are US Citizens. Chances are, you are part of that - somewhere in your family tree, someone benefited from that.
Now people are finding the author of the Amendment, saying it isn't what he intended...it was only written for slave children post-Civil War era...and using that argument...I personally feel like if we took that stance to interpret the Constitution, in this day and age, with what limited knowledge we have of the original authors - we could get into a world of ooey gooey, subjective, "what he REALLY meant was", nonsense. Also, if he meant slaves...why didn't he say it?
As an evangelical, pro-life Republican...this is what I'm hearing from my friends, that are supporting an executive order to adapt the Constitution:
(these aren't exact quotes, but they might as well be...it is the point of what they are saying)
"Obama was taking away our Constitutional rights with all his executive orders...but it is okay that Trump is doing it, because it only hurts immigrant babies - totally fine...heaven forbid needy children get help here! They aren't citizens = no help for them!" To be clear, Trump has signed 85 executive orders in two years. Obama signed 276 in his 8 years. (On average, that 69 every two years...so essentially, on average, Trump has signed 16 more than Obama, thus far).
"pro-life! pro-life! Make sure you deliver that baby! Oh, wait...you aren't a citizen...well, you better not have that baby here!"
"Pro-life! Make sure you deliver that bay! Oh wait? You're poor? You, a tax paying citizen, need help providing health care for yourself or that baby? Well, why didn't you make better choices...Your poorness is your fault..."
"Reinterpreting the Constitution is totes magotes okay, as long as you don't do that to the 2nd Amendment...I want my guns."
"An executive order to change the Constitution isn't okay, because the Constitution explicitly says so, and we protect the Constitution! Buuuuut in this case, we're just reinterpreting it and Trump is doing it, not Obama[or Hillary], so it's fine."
And other inconsistencies...
"We believe in free trade, except these trade wars are awesome...it's okay we need to bail out farmers and the dairy industry is crumbling and many small vegetable farmers are going out of business...we are winning!"
"The economy is the best ever" ...except for the huge drop off we had in Q3...worse than any drop in the last 30+ years...and our deficit continues to grow...even with our 'booming economy'.
"Anything the media says that reflects poorly on Trump is fake news...." Even when it is verified by facts....this happens all.the.time. on my Facebook feed...
"Socialism is awful! I'm not sharing my stuff or my money! But it's okay when Trump praises fascists and communists...just him being diplomatic!"
"We are prolife! It's okay, though, that Trump promised to defund Planned Parenthood and Obamacare...he hasn't done it yet, even when given opportunities to - neither has the Republican dominated House and Senate - but they WILL! We are MAGA!" ... ... ...talk about faith!
"the Wall will fix all our immigration problems!" as if we aren't thoroughly surrounded by water and non-walled northern border...and apparently, immigrants don't know how to use ladders, ropes, shovels and boats...
"Peter the Apostle had his blunders too....nobody is perfect...it's fine that Trump is a 6 times bankrupt, known fraud, serial adulterer and serial liar....proud to have him as my President"....he's literally the opposite of what I was raised to be - a tax paying, law abiding, God fearing, loving, humble, and kind person. And if Christians believe God has ordained Trump extra specially, then they should be believing that of Obama also...if Christians believe Trump will be a Cornerstone of the Church, as Peter was....I'm taking my Bible and finding less deceived elect...
Now, back to the Amendment...I'm asking you, Constitution holding, Bible thumping, Republican...If you truly believe this is mere interpretation problem and are okay with Trump "adjusting" it and setting an extremely bad precedent for this presidency and onward....or not....
An excellent article, based in the Bible, about how God commands His people to treat immigrants, just so you know.
Hint: it says we are to be nice and hospitable and treat them well.
And not without some significance...if citizenship isn't granted to all babies born here, be prepared to have to prove your citizenship, as well as your partner's, when you have a baby....Like getting a driver's license, but at the very basis of that....proving you were born here to American parents and that your child is here, born here, also of American parents....this won't be easy for MANY people - adopted, people with deceased parents, orphans, etc. It would become a hot bureaucratic mess...I certainly don't want to drag my kids and newborn to an office to sit there and prove my child is allowed to be here and deserving of the US Citizenship...
Please think critically about our nation and how we are changing things...Republicans no longer stand for what they used to...we are the Trump party now....
Republicans, where are you?
^^^If this ain't the truth^^^
In frustration and sadness,
Becca Heidenreich
Becca Heidenreich
