Ravenwood - 02/18/05 12:00 PM
Prominent Democrats are calling for changes to the nation's voting laws. For starters, they want to give all federal employees the day off so that they are sure to vote, writes the AP:
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a possible White House candidate in 2008, joined 2004 nominee John [Rodham] Kerry and other Democrats Thursday in urging that Election Day be made a federal holiday to encourage voting.Just what is an ex-felon? If such a law were to pass, it would no doubt help the Democrat's chances. But do they really want to be known as the party of rapists, murderers, and child molesters? Oh and of course big labor unions.She also pushed for legislation that would allow all ex-felons to vote.
It seems a little odd that Hillary is pushing for the Election Day holiday, considering that much of her base is unemployed in the first place.
Posted by: roger at February 18, 2005 1:40 PMAnything in this new law that protects the right of service people serving overseas to have their votes counted? Didn't think so.
Posted by: kjo at February 18, 2005 4:08 PMIt makes sense; a party full of criminals is the first sort to want to disarm law-abiding citizens so they can't figtht back.
Posted by: Robert Garrard at February 18, 2005 7:17 PM"But do they really want to be known as the party of rapists, murderers, and child molesters?" Maybe they think it's better than being known as the party of near-communists.
Posted by: markm at February 18, 2005 9:39 PMWhat about executed felons? Can only Chicago executed felons vote?
Posted by: Ron Hardin at February 19, 2005 4:21 AMOut of curiousity, Steve, what is your thinking on felons and constitutional rights?
The way the laws are set up you can get a felony fairly easy. Like possessing a gram of meth or a ounce of weed. The libertarian in me says that felons should be allowed to vote and own guns. But on the other hand I see the conservative side of it. In my community for every 14 or so felony arrest only one person actually gets convicted on it. That is mostly because of plea bargaining, weak prosecution, or retarded juries. (cheap shot at juries....) So in my community standard only the worst of the worst get felonies.
Posted by: Rhett at February 19, 2005 2:49 PMSo, if I'm an American who has committed a felony, but has paid my debt to society, I shouldn't have the right to vote? Does this not strike you as rather elitist and arrogant? Apparently, rehabiliation counts for nothing. Make a mistake and you're wearing the Scarlet Letter for life, eh?
Posted by: Jack Cluth at February 21, 2005 1:01 PMRhett and Jack,
I think those are decisions best left up to the states. As it is today, some felons can vote, some can't.
Also, I think there is a line somewhere between a habitual drug user and habitual ax murderer. I don't know exactly where that line sits right now, but it's there and the states should be the one's to decide, not Hillary Clinton.
Posted by: Ravenwood at February 21, 2005 2:04 PMIn Wisconsin felons can vote once their debt is paid. That is doing their time, plus any and all fines.
We had some that complained that their time was served but were not allowed to vote, but it was later found out that they still had not paid their fines that went with the time.
(c) Ravenwood and Associates, 1990 - 2014
