Felons Voting is a Complex Issue
Say Anything comes out in support of Hillary's latest attention-getter -- allowing ex-felons to vote:The whole point of prison is supposed to be about punishment for crime and rehabilitation for those who are capable of it. I think we are sending mixed messages to these ex-prisoners when we tell them that they have paid their debt to society but then withhold certain basic rights from them.I both agree and disagree.Remember that not all of these people are monsters.
It is important to remember that every day the gates of prisons across this land are opened and murderers and rapists are put back into society. As Chief Ruff recently said, "The only place where people go away for life is on television."
Not that rehabilitation doesn't take place. In perhaps as many as 30% of the cases those released go on to lead productive, hard-working, tax-paying lives. These people have "paid their debt" and have earned the right to be citizens. After staying clean for a set period of time they should they be allowed to vote, carry hand guns for protection, and even have their criminal records sealed so they won't be discriminated against in the job market.
It's the other 70% that do not have the right to participate in civilized society. Those that continue to rob, steal, plunder, rape and kill. We should allow them to vote?
Blog post #4560 in category
Conservative Causes
posted 19 February 05
Truly superior bloggers that reference Felons Voting is a Complex Issue:
» More On Felons Voting
from Say Anything:
AlphaPatriot takes me to task for my earlier statements about allowing ex-felons to vote. In perhaps as many as 30% of the cases those released go on to lead productive, hard-working, tax-paying lives. These people have "paid their debt" and have ea... [Read More]
Tracked on February 19, 2005 6:22 PM
It's the other 70% that do not have the right to participate in civilized society. Those that continue to rob, steal, plunder, rape and kill. We should allow them to vote?
No. That 70% (I'd like to know where you got your figure) should be thrown in jail. This isn't a "comples issue". In fact, I think you've confused the issue with another one.
Posted by likwidshoe on Sunday at 11:32 PM
My personal opinion is that felons should be allowed to vote once they are out of prison. No, I don't like Mrs. Clinton, I think it would be a huge mistake to allow her to run as a presidential candidate for the Democratic Party. I tend to lean more democratic than republican lately, but she is really hated by so much of the population that the nomination of her would drive many Democrats to vote for a Republican candidate for the first time, and they would prolly stay there. Anyways, my reasoning for letting felons vote is that I don't see how you can change a law that is unfair if the people against it are going to be stripped of their right to vote. A good example of this would be Marijuana laws. How are people ever going to change mandatory minimum sentence laws on this drug if many of them have thier voices removed by not being allowed to vote. In the end, I beleive that it SHOULD be up to the states however.
Posted by fat_jake1 on Wednesday at 12:20 AM