[SuperNinKenDo]

While I agree that many people would do well to have the kind of civic background knowledge they demand people acquire to gain citizenship, and it's an important part of integrating people into a society, there is also a lot that is acquired by living in a society for a time, experiencing and observing its contradictions and how it manages them personally, understanding how you navigate it and your place between two or more national identities and experiences, etc.

That said, I think there's a place for inviting people in. In America's case though, it seems like there's a huge reserve of people already in American society, both legally and illegally, that can be drawn on first. That to me seems like it should be the priority.

[riku_iki]

> experiencing and observing its contradictions and how it manages them personally, understanding how you navigate it and your place between two or more national identities and experiences, etc.

and serving in navy for 4 years is much smoother experience compared to green card lottery winners who are left on their own

> it seems like there's a huge reserve of people already in American society, both legally and illegally, that can be drawn on first.

I think the point is that reserve is not huge, because appeal is not that strong for those who are already in the US, hence navy drops requirements standards.