Papers, Please

The Skeptical Entrepreneur was neither impressed nor amused by the so-called "birther" movement, a futile attempt to undo the will of the people by screaming that President Barack Obama was not born in Hawaii - in the face of abundant evidence that he was. Rather, the "birthers" allege that Obama was born in Kenya, his father's native land - in the absence of any evidence other than "the 'Hawaii birth certificate is fake,' so therefore, Obama was born in Kenya."

Absence of proof is not proof of absence. That said (with apologies to the readership), proof may be absent for reasons other than that the evidence has been suppressed. Perhaps the reason no one has been able to produce evidence of Obama's birth in Kenya, is that no such evidence ever existed, because the event never happened.

All of this discussion is moot - Obama is, and will remain until 20 January 2017, president of the United States. The discussion of whether he is, or was, qualified for the presidency, will continue long after he is out of office, and probably long after he is dead. For the short term, elections continue. Even now, political campaigns are planning advertising mailings touting their candidate, and excoriating the opposition.

The "birther" movement may be defunct, but political discourse is forever changed. The question of whether a candidate is a "natural-born" citizen, or is in the United States legally, will come up in every political campaign, from precinct constable to the presidency of the United States.

The Skeptical Entrepreneur has determined to demand a copy of the birth certificate, and proof of legal presence in the United States, from any candidate who sends him campaign material through the mail. I'm willing to help you take a stand, and make a statement, too.

For only $1 per candidate, The Skeptical Entrepreneur will send, to any and every political candidate you choose, a post card demanding that the candidate(s) submit to you a certified copy of his/her/their birth certificate(s), as well as proof of legal residence in the United States, and your state.

The post card will state:

"Dear Candidate:

I have received your campaign materials through the U.S. Mail. As a result of the 'birther' movement that sprang up during Barack Obama's candidacy for President of the United States in 2008, the issue of whether political candidates are eligible for election to office, by being "natural-born citizens" and legally present in the United States, has pervaded political discourse in this country, at all levels of our society.

I regret that I cannot support your candidacy, nor vote for you in the upcoming election, unless you are able to demonstrate your eligibility for public office by providing proof of your U.S. citizenship, as well as proof that your are present in this country legally. Please send a certified copy of your birth certificate, as well as a copy of proof of your legal presence in this country, to me at the address in the upper-left corner of the other side of this card. Thank you.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]"

To have this message sent to political candidates [koff Chris Christie koff-koff] begging for your vote, send $1 (cash or check*) per candidate to:

The Skeptical Entrepreneur
Attn:  Michael W. Beatty
1202-B Spring Loop
College Station, TX  77840-7806

Please be sure to include the candidate(s)'s name(s), position(s) sought, and the address(es) of the campaign committee(s) (which should be on the advertisement(s) that you received).

The Skeptical Entrepreneur regrets that he cannot offer any refunds for incomplete requests. If I cannot determine to whom to send the request for documentation, I will not be able to send anything, but I also will not refund your money. Obviously, if there is no return address on your envelope to me, I can't direct your request to the candidate (what would I want with a file full of birth certificates and driver's licenses?). Neither could I refund your money, even if I was able, much less willing, to make refunds - which I am not.

Special to International Readers:  The Skeptical Entrepreneur is pleasantly surprised, and deeply gratified, to see that this blog is attracting an international readership. If you would like to have such a message sent to political candidates in your country, please feel free to avail yourself of this service, but note the following rates for international service:

Canada:  C$2 - please consult Canada Post/Postes Canada for the advisability of sending "loonies" through the post.

México:  ₱20. Consult Correos de México for the advisability of sending ₱ coins through the mail.

Brazil:  R$3. Consult Correios for the advisability of sending R$ coins through the mail.

United Kingdom:  £1 - any bank note in general circulation in the UK. Consult Royal Mail for the advisability of sending £1 coins (the notorious "Maggie Thatchers" through the post.

Eurozone:  €1 - bill(s) issued by any EU member state. As above, consult your national post for the advisability of sending € coins through the post.

Japan:  ¥150. The Skeptical Entrepreneur does not recommend sending ¥ coins through the post.

Korea:  ₩1,500. The Skeptical Entrepreneur does not recommend sending ₩ coins through the post.

China:  ¥15.  The Skeptical Entrepreneur does not recommend sending ¥ coins through the post.

Hong Kong:  HK$15. The Skeptical Entrepreneur does not recommend sending HK$ coins through the post.

Australia:  A$2. Consult Australia Post for the advisability of sending A$ coins through the post.

Russian Federation:  60 р. Consult Почта России for the advisability of sending ruble coins through the post.

As always, non-U.S. subscribers are welcome to send U.S. dollars in payment for this service. All subscribers, regardless of their location, or the currency that they are using to purchase this service, are welcome to send coins, if they choose to do so.*

The Disclaimers:

The Skeptical Entrepreneur disclaims any responsibility for any repercussions that may befall subscribers, especially those from outside the United States, from any political candidate, or operative, or their agents, cohorts, or any governmental, quasi-governmental, extra-governmental, paramilitary, police, or other entity, public or private, as a result of the subscriber's use of this service.

Confiscation, or other refusal by any of the above entities, to deliver, or allow to be delivered, the message, or card, purchased by the subscriber, shall not constitute failure, or refusal by The Skeptical Entrepreneur to fulfill his obligation(s) under any theory of contract that may be applied to this offer, or to the subscriber(s)'s acceptance of this offer.

No claim for damages of any kind, at law or in equity, realized or unrealized, choate or inchoate, shall be allowed in any court in any country. Subscriber's acceptance of this offer constitutes informed, knowing, full and complete waiver of any claims on the subscriber's own behalf, and on behalf of any and all of his/her heirs, successors, legatees, devisees, or assigns.

As political-campaign season gets under way, politicians are going to be sending bales of paper through the mail, urging you to vote for them, and against the other candidate. Make 'em show you the paper you REALLY want to see!

Just $1 per candidate.

*You can send coins, if you want. TSE does not recommend sending coins through the mail - it's awfully hard on the sorting machines, to say nothing of the envelopes.