Why can't a regular citizen become president without having to buy their way in?
476477
because the role of the politician is not to represent the people as a whole, but the rich. and what better way to do that than by having the president himself be a rich man. money is, literally, in every sense of the word, power. the fact that economic power and political power go together in this way shouldn't be surprising to anyone.
388841
Well there are quotas so if the quota for your country is full TOO BAD.And it also takes forever.And it costs money.And why would they do it legally if it is so simple to come illegally.
763316
In order to be elected to a seat in the House or Senate, you MUST be able to finance the election yourself or be able to raise the millions of dollars required. A teacher, for example, is unlikely to be able to do either of those things.\n\nIn order to get a bill passed through Congress, it requires millions of dollars in lobbying funds, advertisements, and other "tricks". Only large corporations or individual billionaires (like that jerk, George Soros who single-handedly funded Moveon.org in the last presidential election) are able to make any significant impact on legislation.
367793
Because that is the path of least resistance.  The easiest way, no need to wait, no need to pay fees or complete applications or pass physical exams.  They are also encouraged to do so by their own governments.
867407
It isn't an issue of interpretation. The constitution states explicitly "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." That means that a person must be born in the United States to be president and also must reside in the United States for fourteen years. This completely excludes those of other countries of origin. To get this to change, there would have to be an amendment to the consitution.
806505
There is a law stating what constitutes American citizenship.  If you are born of an American Parent(s) or born on US territory (including territories that are not states) you are automatically as US citizen.  If you immigrate, register, take the required courses in English and US History, pass the tests, pass medical exam, after 10 years you can be made a Naturalized citizen.  Naturalized citizens can not become President (unless there is a change in the Constitution).\n\nIt is difficult for many Americans to break up a family (ie send one or both parents home and allow the US child to stay, or deny the US Child by having the child go home with its parents.  I think it's time to change that law to only children born of US citizenS, not just one US citizen.  Children of one US citizen get a front place in line to immigrate legally.
1100557
becuase they can. It's much easier spending money when it's not yours. the only time they are concerned about our needs is when it comes time for re-election. other than that, it's a total waste of our time.
830878
President of the United States? None. There is no education requirement, just age (35), and be a natural born citizen.
1129712
Getting a passport into this country is hard and becoming a US citizen is even harder. Because I'm not an illegal imigrant, I'm just saying what I've read and what I understand. They do it because the cost of getting a passport is too much for them to afford. Most of them need a good jop and they need money for their families. It isn't hard to understand
1135767
In order to work for the US government, you must be a US citizen.
410652
The biggest hurdle to entering politics is money.\nNot at the local level - you can run a campaign there\nfor a few thousand dollars.\n\nBut even State Legislative races can cost 10s of thousands,\nsome State Senate races have run into the hundreds of thousands.\n\nAnd to run for Congress takes $1 million minimum. That means $10,000 every week for the two years you are serving in Congress. That's a lot of money to beg for.\n\nIf we had public financing of elections, I believe it would become a lot more attractive option for many people.
719352
Well, all it seems to take for President nowadays is the ability to make decisions -- doesn't really matter if they're good ones, and obviously knowledge of the law is not required.\n\nAs long as a person looks good on TV and can generate soundbites, that seems to fit the requirements.
1163021
Judging from the performance of the past few U. S. Presidents (both parties), just about anything can get into the White House.... ;-}\n\n----------\n\nIn all seriousness, I think the current setup where only native-born non-felons are eligible is still the best setup, because there are always more native born candidates than there are possible openings .  Given that just about all other political positions are open to foreigners who have take the oath of citizenship, there's plenty of power available there for non-native born to go after.
472405
One must be sponsored in by a relative who is a US citizen and that person must show sufficient income to support you.  Then you must spend five years before taking a test to become a US citizen.\n\nBut, mostly, the economic answer is that the work available to illegal immigrants is not available to lawful citizens.  It is low-paying, without benefits, long hours and frequently dangerous to your health.  It is illegal to use and pay workers in the manner than illegal aliens are used.  And that's why they're used - they have no other options and they can't complain to the government.  You can curtail illegal imigration if you'd like, but you can't get your produce picked, your slaughterhouses cleaned or your drywall installed for four times the price you pay now.
360459
You most certainly do not have to be a citizen to join the US military. You do, however, have to be a legal resident. Those legal residents serving in our armed forces, however, can cut their required waiting time to become a US citizen down to three years.\n\nIn fact, many people join the military SPECIFICALLY to speed up the citizenship process. Our country realizes that serving in the armed forces requires a sacrifice. It is a dangerous job and your life is always on the line. That sacrifice is rewarded by speeding up the citizenship process. These soldiers has already shown their loyalty to this country.
198393
Your answer is a bit simplistic, I think.  There are myriad reasons why many of us can't just take random people into our homes.  Also, many poor people don't want to be "taken in" like stray cats, ya know?  We need a more long-term, workable solution than that.  It's a complicated issue.
1138848
Legally, someone born in another country cannot run for President of the US.