They pay taxs like everyone else. Why shouldnt they have any say in the govt?

74% of felons polled would have voted for Gore. I think that would've GREATLY affected politics.

quote:

chromosomatically

I would like to hear the definition for that word. Maybe you could send it into a dictionary company and make it a real word. That wold be cool.

quote:

But felons, who have been convincted of serious crimes, are just looking for a Get Out of Jail Free Card. A way to escape their deserved punishments through liberal politics.

So what if they are? I guess I still don't care. I just don't think that allowing felons to vote is going to greatly affect elections/politics. A lot of the issues affect them and they should have the right to vote on the issues.

Umm...let's think. No.

They're felons. Do you really want criminals having a say in laws? I think not.

Most of them are insane and a good number of them are chromosomatically (I made that word up, but hey!) messed up.

Just as a side note, does anyone know if people who have been judged as dangerously insane can vote? What about people in vegetated states? Mentally retarded? Commited to an insane asylum? They pay taxes...and I don't think they vote. I could be wrong though.

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Originally posted by bluedemocrat:
Why? Felons are voting for the canidate with the ideals most similar to theirs. They are voting for the canidate from whom they are going to benefit. It's like a rich person voting for a republican because the canidate supports tax cuts for the rich.

Rich people who vote for Republicans from which they will receive tax breaks is indeed underhanded, but that's business. These people, although arrogant and morally bankrupt, did not (technically) committ any true crime.

But felons, who have been convincted of serious crimes, are just looking for a Get Out of Jail Free Card. A way to escape their deserved punishments through liberal politics.

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If that's the reason these people are voting, that is no reason to encourage it.

Why? Felons are voting for the canidate with the ideals most similar to theirs. They are voting for the canidate from whom they are going to benefit. It's like a rich person voting for a republican because the canidate supports tax cuts for the rich.

Felons vote Democrat because felons are usually poor and minorities, the demographic that most often votes for Democrats. Not for any other reason than what you stated. Lessen punishments, abolish the deth penalty. If that's the reason these people are voting, that is no reason to encourage it.

I could see a problem if politicians promised felons reduced jail time in return for their vote, but I doubt that would happen. There are so few felons, and that campaign promise would just piss of the public. It wouldn't work.

Tarp, I guess I really don't care if felons have the right to vote. They are still Americans, despite the heinous nature of their crimes. I just don't believe in denying people the right to vote. I don't really have a logic behind my belief. I just feel this way for no particular reason.

[quote]I find it quite interesting that the people who want felons to vote the most are usually Democrats, and that's how felons tend to vote. Coincidence? Yeeeeah not so much.[/quote

It's not a coincidence. Democrats are more concerned about personal freedoms. Many don't support the death penalty and believe in second chances. More so than Republicans anyways.

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If felons have any desire to participate in elections, I don't see why we should interfere with that. We certainly shouldn't discourage such an interest.

my problem with this is if they are voting on any issue that has to do with the severity of punishments for certain crimes.

I don't think felons should vote while in jail. Probabtion is a maybe. Once they've served their time and are a normal citizen again, I think thats the only time they should have the chance to vote. I think it depends on the crime however. perhaps it's only my personal prejudices, but I don't think rapists or anyone like that should get a say in the running of the country.

I really don't think that political parties come to play in it at all. All of this is opinion based upon what each of us think is right and wrong.

I believe that a felon's right to vote should be suspended while they are serving jail time.

Oh, and bmbg10, law abiding citizens? Most citizens break the law numerous times in a day. When you go over the speed limit, that's technically breaking the law.

While that's very liberal of all of you, to committ a crime is to voluntarily give up some of your civil rights. Would you all feel the same way for a serial child rapist? A natural-born terrorist? A religiously zealous assassin?

And it's not as if the US forbids felons to vote. States have the option to deny a felon the right to vote. 4 states let felons to vote while in prison, 21 allow them to vote while on probation, and 18 let felons to vote while they are on parole. Something like 10 states permanently disenfranchise felons, and some others give ex-offenders the ability to vote after a time limit.

I find it quite interesting that the people who want felons to vote the most are usually Democrats, and that's how felons tend to vote. Coincidence? Yeeeeah not so much.

They pay taxes. They are still American citizens. I just don't think it is a big deal.

Felons have no respect for the law. It makes no sense that they should be able to elect officials who enforce and create law.

Yes, they pay taxes. Being in prison shouldn't be a reward, where that obligation is lifted. It most definitely does not mean that they have earned the right to vote.

No, they should not. Not while they're serving their sentences.

I think that they should be able to if they want to.

If felons actually want to vote, then let them. If felons have any desire to participate in elections, I don't see why we should interfere with that. We certainly shouldn't discourage such an interest.

Most of the felons in prison knew full well that what they were doing was wrong. They did not seem to care, and did their crime anyway. They should not be able to vote, they have to face the consequences of their actions.

Felons have the rights of full citizenship taen away. They forfieght their rights when they, say, rape and kill seven women, or bury a twelve year old alive.