Bill Glahn:
Who is included in “ourselves”? My answer would be current American citizens, “subject to the jurisdiction thereof.” It would not include noncitizens, not subject to the jurisdiction thereof.
In my views, “Posterity” would include the children and descendants, if any, of current citizens. Posterity would not include those foreigners (noncitizens) yet to be born, who may one day develop a desire to show up in America and enjoy the blessings.
Courts have found that illegal aliens, the instant they cross the border, are entitled to the full protection (blessings) of the Constitution including full due process, with limitless resources (court-appointed lawyers, translators, etc.) provided at taxpayer expense.
But none of the obligations of American citizenship is placed on new arrivals, only the taxpayer-funded benefits. They are not “subject to the jurisdiction.”
# posted by Ranger @ 4:01 PM
