Burris’ Chagrin

Newt Gingrich:

I am not a citizen of the world. I am a citizen of the United States because only in the United States does citizenship start with our creator. […] I think this is one of the most critical moments in American history. We are living in a period where we are surrounded by paganism.

Whoa boy. There is SO much to take on in those few sentences from the co-leader of the Republican Party. Much to Burris’ chagrin, it would appear that the GOP is doubling down on the crazy, strengthening its ties to radical evangelicalism rather than seeking a more inclusive moderate ground. And that is just fine as far as I am concerned, because it means the GOP will continue to get smaller and smaller, losing election after election for the next two to three generations. But for people like Burris, it instantly induces heartburn, for it means that the GOP will continue to get smaller and smaller, losing election after election for the next two to three generations.

Now, back to Newt. By the way, has there ever been a more appropriate first name? A “newt” is a lizard-like amphibian that often secretes toxin from its skin. But I digress.

First, we are all citizens of the world, just by being human beings living on the planet Earth.

Second, Newt is a citizen of the United States because he was born in this country. That is the only reason. It sounds like Newt is saying he made a choice to be a citizen of the United States, and he did not. I suppose he could choose to not be a citizen of the United States by renouncing his citizenship and moving elsewhere, but again, he did not.

Third, “only in the United States does citizenship start with our creator.” What does this even mean? I suppose it means that only in America do we believe in God, or that God Himself sanctions American citizenship. Tell me, is American citizenship mentioned in the Bible? Does God say that only Americans are His chosen people? And how does Newt know that only in America do people believe in God? Given that at least 90% of the world’s population believe in some form of a higher power, whether it be God, Allah, Yahweh, Shangdi or Brahman, I think they would beg to differ. Perhaps Newt means that only in America is a belief in God a requirement of citizenship. Well, that is not true of American citizenship. The current oath new citizens take (although Newt and I and others who were born here never did take this oath, since we were born here) is as follows:

I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.

It sounds to me that American citizenship starts with ourselves, in that we must do certain things to be an American citizen. Sure, we ask for God’s help, if we believe in God, but it is we that confer citizenship upon ourselves, not God.

Perhaps Newt is just referring to his luck at being born in the United States, which is surely God’s doing. But what about religious God-fearing people born in England, or Italy, or Israel? Are they unlucky? Does God not favor them? And what about all these pagans Newt refers to being surrounded by (and I thought Glenn Beck said they surrounded us?)? These pagans are American citizens too, so doesn’t that mean that God favors pagans? Boy, am I confused!

Obviously, Newt said something meaningless yet appealing to the radical right. And if the current co-leader of the Republican Party is willing to say something so meaningless yet so appealing to the radical right, Dave Burris is going to be unhappy for many years to come.