Should everyone be ALLOWED to vote? (Danger: some sarcasm...)

[Tyler Durden]

Poll question: Should everyone be ALLOWED to vote? (Danger: some sarcasm...)

(...AND some smart ass comments).

That disclaimer was for some folks in the past that had issues with my snide comments along with the choices.

SERIOUSLY though: don't you know a few folks not exactly playing with all 52 as far as smarts go, or other deficits not making for the most EGALITARIAN citizenry? I'm serious here: the Red State phenomenon should go farther than anyone needs for proof of this.

So chime in here: VOTE and call me an asshole. Frankly, I think it's time we DISENFRANCHISED a few assholes for the common good...

Or do you think that having to go along with the crowd of lemmings when they vote for trying to fly off the cliff is a GOOD THING? I may not agree with everything Heinlein wrote, but this item, that is, some sort of Federal Service or equivalent to qualify as a CITIZEN and VOTER may not be such a bad thing in the near future. I have always believed that the vote is a PRIVILEGE and not an ABSOLUTE RIGHT, but then, I'm a Socialist, so who gives a shit what I think?

OK: Ready, AIM, SHOOT ME!

[krispix]

1. most convicts are not Republican...

I agree with you... mostly. Voting is a privilege and responsibility. (if you don't vote, don't complain about the crappy representation you receive) However, I'm wondering what happens when persons convicted of crimes lose this privilege. Overall, this isn't a bad idea, but when the "powers that be" are building 10 times more prisons than schools, I wonder... is this an insidious ploy to tip the scales in their favor?? Something to ponder....

[Tyler Durden]

2. I think the "I don't vote anyway" numbers are telling.

[sui generis]

3. welcome to DU!

I completely disagree that anyone convicted of a crime should lose the right to vote, period, unless you plan on taking away their U.S. citizenship too.

Otherwise, I'm all for a constitutional amendment barring gays from voting in addition to keeping them from getting marrified. :sarcasm:

After which we'll go after the catholics, and then the atheists, and then people with green eyes . . . heck, I'll throw in the ex-gays as long as I'm at it, even IF they're southern babtists.

[newyawker99]

5. Hi krispix!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[MadHound]

4. Bad idea there friend

Too many people have worked too long and sacrificed too much(including their life) just to disenfranchise people because you disagree with their politics. Don't like how they vote? Then work like hell to change their minds. Yes, it is a daunting, herculean task, but that is how a democracy works.

Now, flip the card. Say in twenty years or so, when liberals rule the roost and control all three branches of government. Would you really want some nutcase neo-con seriously proposing that a bunch of liberals be disenfranchised, because in his opinion they're a bunch of lemmings taking the country off the cliff?

Frankly, the only qualifications for being a voter in this country in my opinion should be that you're of legal age and a citizen of this country. Everything else is optional.

[ShortnFiery]

7. I'd add that also ...

Once a person had completed his/her prison sentence, they should also be allowed automatically to vote.

It's interesting that one of our local Republican area representatives has been convicted TWICE of felony. Yikes! And he's a Rove-Co bot incarnate with the don't tax me mime down pat. (that's probably why our local streets are filled with pot holes but most everyone has the bucks to afford a Mercedes or BMW in da garage).

This twice felon filed for "a waiver" and received it. Why? He's in a wealthy but not as connected family as the Bushies; and he actually FILED FOR IT!

That's an excellent aside: I'm not so sure on a personal moral level about violent ex-cons, but it would NOT be a bad idea to organize on a local level to help low-level non-violent ex-cons file for the privilege of voting again?

My point (sorry to stray off topic) - We are denying a large number of good people the opportunity to vote because of our strict marijuana laws. :smoke: The war on drugs is over, get a job, put down the joint and come vote with us? LOL

[Tyler Durden]

8. You don't work with "Zippy the rePuke Pinhead"

Besides, this isn't truly about politics. I'm tired of people like "Zippy" doing their "Clinton, blue dress, Clinton, blue dress, Clinton, blue dress, Clinton, blue dress, Clinton, blue dress" bullshit get their smarts tested.

We license drivers.

[MadHound]

9. Actually, I do work with Zippy, and his many, many friends

Not only that, but I live in a county that only officially rejoined the Union about ten years ago, that right there should tell what their mindset is, and what their political leanings are.

Still and yet, would shouldn't disenfranchise anybody, no matter what their politics, no matter what their intelligence. That isn't what our democracy is all about.

And again, I ask you to flip the card. What if all the neo-cons came out and pushed for legislation that would exclude liberals from voting, how would you feel about that?

This is how our government works friend, and while it's tempting to try and exclude people, it shouldn't be done, both for moral and practical reasons.

[YouthInAsia]

6. The only people in this country who shouldnt be allowed

to vote are illegal aliens. Aside from that, I dont think the right to vote should be taken away from anyone (including those incarcertated and felons)