Immigration reform has been a hot topic of late. It’s nice that some progressives are taking the time to examine an issue at the root of immigration, citizenship, and what citizenship might require of U.S. citizens. I’m not necessarily in complete agreement with these views - but I do agree that if we’re going to discuss citizenship, it seems like a good time to look at what it might take to make better U.S. citizens out of all of us, not just immigrants.
Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich in “The Price of Citizenship” (free login required I think) suggests that the wealthy should pay their share, or lose their American citizenship.
Chicago lawyer Thomas Geoghegan in “Make ‘Em Vote!” (free login required I think) suggests that we continually ask citizens and non-citizens to pledge to vote - or at least tell us why they won’t.
There are a lot of proposals floating around for different requirements in property, education, skills and penalty payments that immigrants should make to get into the U.S. - many of which I disagree with - but improving citizenship, for immigrants and current citizens, should have a prominent place in the discussion. In fact, it should be the main idea.
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