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I registered for the draft.

I have a social security number.

I know that the greatest thing about our constitution is that it was drafted by men, who knew their collective wisdom was not complete.

I have paid taxes since the age of 18. I have paid into the unemployment fund, paid into the social security fund, owned my own business, voted in every presidential and gubernatorial election since Clinton’s first run, served jury duty five times.

I have a better grasp of the English language than most of the Americans I have met.

I have a better understanding of American history than most of the Americans I have met.

Major corporations hire me to design marketing materials that will capture the sensibilities of my fellow Americans.

The names Rosey Grier, Tennessee Tuxedo, Mills Lane and Tommy Tutone mean something to me.

Like most of the Americans I know, I didn’t have to take a test or an oath of allegiance to gain citizenship – my parents were sworn in together before I turned 16.

I am a naturalized citizen. I don’t need citizenship papers. I have a passport.

I share the same burdens, responsibilities, aspirations, Super Bowls, pop-culture regrets and embarrassing haircuts as my born-and-raised counterparts. But not the same rights.

Because I was born in South Korea, I can’t run for President of the United States.

Because I spent the first 6 of my 43 years in another country, I can’t be trusted with nuclear launch codes. I can’t veto a pork-barrel buffet, throw the first pitch on opening day; know the truth about Area 51, have the public pay for my limo; wage war against countries we supported yesterday, owe China money, get a BJ in the Oval Office, totally screw over a covert CIA operative, interrupt regular programming, pick Supreme Court justices that track well with my base, get a library named after me.

Because I was born in South Korea, I can’t run for President of the United States.

I know the words to the Pledge of Allegiance.

I know the words to The Star Spangled Banner.

I have read The United States Constitution.

I live in a country where “anyone can grow up to be President.”

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