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FLOWERS: Of democracy, independence and birthright citizenship

11 0
07.07.2026

Over the weekend we celebrated 250 years of democracy, flawed and fabulous in every respect.

As a child, I was only exposed to the virtues of the founders and the greatness of their actions. As an adult, I was exposed to the sins, including the attachment to slavery in their personal lives while railing against injustice in their public office.

They were not perfect, we were not perfect, but as they say, the perfect is the enemy of the good. And we are, above all things, very good.

Something happened last week that confirmed for me that we are, at heart, a nation that respects the dignity of the human being, even against the attacks from those we considered friends. We did not succumb to friendly fire.

I am talking about the Supreme Court’s decision on birthright citizenship.

The United States is unique among nations in the world that convey “ius soli” citizenship, the kind that comes from being born on native soil.

Most other countries in the world, including virtually all of our allies in Western Europe, will not consider every child born within their borders to be a citizen with full rights and privileges.

They adhere to the more restrictive rules of “ius sanguinis,” requiring the child have some blood link to a citizen or a........

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