Should felons have the right to vote?

tao_jones · Post by **tao_jones** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 4:17 pm

Sava700 wrote:the point of what they could do isn't the point..the point is they commit a crime and lose that privilege...they should have thought about that before they did the crime. Same goes with DUI's...you lose your license..they want to continue to drive they should think first.

The point of prison is to protect society and also to "reform" the prisioner if possible. If a person does their time and comes out a better person have they not earned their right to vote back or should they (all felons) be sent to the salt mines for the rest of their lives?

David · Post by **David** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 4:20 pm

Sava700 wrote:the point of what they could do isn't the point..the point is they commit a crime and lose that privilege...they should have thought about that before they did the crime. Same goes with DUI's...you lose your license..they want to continue to drive they should think first.

What privileges do you believe ex-convicts might regain upon full release? I would understand that someone who was violent might permanent lose the privilege to own a hand. It would be a fairly unusual situation to disallow someone voting rights after they served their punishment.

JawZ · Post by **JawZ** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 4:20 pm

Sava700 wrote:the point of what they could do isn't the point..the point is they commit a crime and lose that privilege...they should have thought about that before they did the crime. Same goes with DUI's...you lose your license..they want to continue to drive they should think first.

Further restricting citizen freedoms post incarceration isn't going to help diminish recidivism rates. While I highly doubt that many criminals think about this, it is a state of mind.

Qwijib0 · Post by **Qwijib0** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 7:01 pm

Dan wrote:I'd like to see why the two that voted no ,did that !

because,I for one have a dear friend of mine that was very stupid and got nailed for drunk driving too many times and the final one that revoked his license was a felony,and he lost his right to vote,

why should he be denied the right to vote ?

and like was said already,if one has fulfilled his/her responsibility and time served and done everything the law said to do,then why not have the right to vote ?

because we have enough stupid people voting already.

Gandalf · Post by **Gandalf** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 7:54 pm

Depends on the crime and the time done for it... everyone should have rights though.

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 7:57 pm

meh.. my opinion about criminals is if you screw up its your fault..you should have thought about it more before doing something that will ruin your life and giving them the chance to vote even after a lock up time gives them perhaps a chance to ruin someone elses life or lives in general. Thats my opinion so argue if you like but its not going to change my opinion.

Faust · Post by **Faust** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 8:18 pm

having made mistakes and/or bad decisions in my life i find it very hard to take the "one mistake and youre permantly out of the club" mentality. i am far from perfect, as is every other person walking the face of the planet.

and, as David brought up, what harm could come from allowing their vote? if anything, it would help increase the chances of making the person feel like they are actually part of society, therefore creating the possibility of reform.

i would have no problem letting anybody vote. and if enough sickos got together and say..... successfully legalized public defication, then maybe the majority has spoken and i/we are the ones in the wrong? (tongue in cheek BTW).

Debbie · Post by **Debbie** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 8:29 pm

Sava700 wrote:meh.. my opinion about criminals is if you screw up its your fault..you should have thought about it more before doing something that will ruin your life and giving them the chance to vote even after a lock up time gives them perhaps a chance to ruin someone elses life or lives in general. Thats my opinion so argue if you like but its not going to change my opinion.

What makes you think that they could ruin someone else's life by voting. Not all of them are mentally ill. Some of them go through big time changes in jail. You are entitled to your opinion, but I feel that you think that all of them are not capable of caring and making a decision of what they feel is right politically. Like I said two sentences ago, not all of them are mentally ill.

horsemen_ · Post by **horsemen_** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 8:31 pm

Sava700 wrote:meh.. my opinion about criminals is if you screw up its your fault..you should have thought about it more before doing something that will ruin your life and giving them the chance to vote even after a lock up time gives them perhaps a chance to ruin someone elses life or lives in general. Thats my opinion so argue if you like but its not going to change my opinion.

keep in mind you can get a felony that stay with you at 16 and at 16 you can make alot of dum choices but should that haunt you for the next 60 yrs seeing how the avg life span is 75 that about how long that would haunt a person.

i feel all crimes after a matter of time should be removed from you recored if nothing else has happen. i got a bs theft by receiving felony

i call it bs because this is how it happen

me and 3 friends our riding around one friend gets a call to come over to one person house to pick up something to take to another friends house.

he asked if i can run him to both places seeing how we are out and about
well it was stolen item

1 yr later we all get charged for theft by receiving i really felt bad for person number 3 in the car he wasn't the driver or have any say in the matter he was just in the car this been over 12 yr ago now and i still paying that price

so my view on this may be tilted a little because i on the other side looking in.

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 8:59 pm

Debbie wrote:What makes you think that they could ruin someone else's life by voting. Not all of them are mentally ill.

They could vote the wrong way and to many Dem's that means voting republican etc.. you can look at it in many ways..regardless they shouldn't be allowed to vote once they commit a felony and many other things.. once a sex offender always a sex offender..they have to put signs up on their doors at halloween to keep kids away..but in 10years does that go away after they serve their time? nope.

Debbie · Post by **Debbie** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:01 pm

Sava700 wrote:They could vote the wrong way and to many Dem's that means voting republican etc.. you can look at it in many ways..regardless they shouldn't be allowed to vote once they commit a felony and many other things.. once a sex offender always a sex offender..they have to put signs up on their doors at halloween to keep kids away..but in 10years does that go away after they serve their time? nope.

WTF is the WRONG WAY???????? So, if I don't vote the same as you, I'm voting the wrong way too RIGHT?????????

please read what you just wrote.

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:04 pm

Debbie wrote:WTF is the WRONG WAY???????? So, if I don't vote the same as you, I'm voting the wrong way too RIGHT?????????

please read what you just wrote.

I'm not saying its the wrong way for anyoen to vote I'm just saying some view it as that..and its not right cause to each of us and our opinions are correct in our minds. I just gave a prime example of how politics has warped minds.

The example I gave is a perfect one.... stealing is stealing no matter what it is..it doesn't make it any more wrong or right.

Debbie · Post by **Debbie** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:05 pm

Sava700 wrote:I'm not saying its the wrong way for anyoen to vote I'm just saying some view it as that..and its not right cause to each of us and our opinions are correct in our minds. I just gave a prime example of how politics has warped minds.

The example I gave is a perfect one.... stealing is stealing no matter what it is..it doesn't make it any more wrong or right.

I disagree with you as for their right to vote.

A lot of politicians are greedy thieves too and we put their asses in office.

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:07 pm

Sava700 wrote:I'm not saying its the wrong way for anyoen to vote I'm just saying some view it as that..and its not right cause to each of us and our opinions are correct in our minds. I just gave a prime example of how politics has warped minds.

The example I gave is a perfect one.... stealing is stealing no matter what it is..it doesn't make it any more wrong or right.

Care to answer my question yet? Is stealing candy the same as a car?

downhill · Post by **downhill** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:08 pm

Sava700 wrote:They could vote the wrong way and to many Dem's that means voting republican etc.. you can look at it in many ways..regardless they shouldn't be allowed to vote once they commit a felony and many other things.. once a sex offender always a sex offender..they have to put signs up on their doors at halloween to keep kids away..but in 10years does that go away after they serve their time? nope.

opcorn:

______________________________________________________________

Imho, because someone made a mistake at one time in their lives, shouldn't always exclude them from certain rights.

Nobody is perfect.

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:09 pm

Debbie wrote:I disagree with you as for their right to vote.

A lot of politicians are greedy thieves too and we put their asses in office.

Thats fine...If anything we should draw a line on the type of crimes done to allow you to vote afterward seeing as how I view it will prob never happen.

As for politicians yea many are there for the money... and thats both parties.

downhill · Post by **downhill** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:12 pm

Sava, what will never happen? Some states let felons vote now. Some let them vote depending on what the crime was.

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:12 pm

downhill wrote: opcorn:

______________________________________________________________

Imho, because someone made a mistake at one time in their lives, shouldn't always exclude them from certain rights.

Nobody is perfect.

Certain rights perhaps..as humans, but not privileges as Americans. Voting is a Privilege not a right and committing a felony thus removes your privilege to vote and shouldn't be givin back...should have thought about those "Privileges" before doing the crime.

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:13 pm

downhill wrote:Sava, what will never happen? Some states let felons vote now. Some let them vote depending on what the crime was.

Thats true but that doesn't make it correct to do so... do you say it is? well thats your opinion and thats fine..I have mine and what I believe.

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:14 pm

Sava700 wrote:Certain rights perhaps..as humans, but not privileges as Americans. Voting is a Privilege not a right and committing a felony thus removes your privilege to vote and shouldn't be givin back...should have thought about those "Privileges" before doing the crime.

So already you are contradicting your 10 year "grace period" idea?

Debbie · Post by **Debbie** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:15 pm

downhill wrote: opcorn:

______________________________________________________________

Imho, because someone made a mistake at one time in their lives, shouldn't always exclude them from certain rights.

Nobody is perfect.

Exactly!!!!!!!!!!

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:16 pm

YARDofSTUF wrote:So already you are contradicting your 10 year "grace period" idea?

I never had a "grace period" idea... if your regarding to my 10 year comment I was just throwing a number up so dont' get all excited that you some how are trying to catch me in something cause I don't recall ever saying "grace period" and 10years in the same post.

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:18 pm

Debbie wrote:Exactly!!!!!!!!!!

Debbie, let me ask you something. Someone comes along and kills your mom, they go to jail for 20/30 or whatever years for it and get out and all of a sudden they are standing with you in the very same voting line to cast a vote they feel they have a "Privilege" to do so... how does that make you feel? If that was me I'd be pretty damn pissed off they are in the same line as me for starters then I'd be even more pissed they even get the "Privilege" to vote...would be really upsetting to see that we as a society allow that after such a act to become a felon or even any act to become a felon.

brembo · Post by **brembo** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:19 pm

Sava700 wrote:Certain rights perhaps..as humans, but not privileges as Americans. Voting is a Privilege not a right and committing a felony thus removes your privilege to vote and shouldn't be givin back...should have thought about those "Privileges" before doing the crime.

HAHAHAHA. You so wrong. It's a RIGHT. Quite possibly the most important one.

*Looks at 15th amendment*

Hmmmm. I see the word "right" in there.

downhill · Post by **downhill** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:19 pm

Sava700 wrote:Certain rights perhaps..as humans, but not privileges as Americans. Voting is a Privilege not a right and committing a felony thus removes your privilege to vote and shouldn't be givin back...should have thought about those "Privileges" before doing the crime.

Umm..no, it's a right not a privilege.

So you've never stole anything? Perhaps some gum or candy as a kid? You've also never done a crime like driving under the influence? Do you cheat on your taxes? That's a felony you know. How about a hit and run? Ever bump a car and took off?

Like I said, nobody is perfect but I'll grant you your opinion.

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:20 pm

Sava700 wrote:But I think there should be perhaps a 10year grace period after you get out of jail etc till you can get your chance to vote again.

.

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:21 pm

brembo wrote:HAHAHAHA. You so wrong. It's a RIGHT. Quite possibly the most important one.

*Looks at 15th amendment*

Hmmmm. I see the word "right" in there.

The Fifteenth Amendment (Amendment XV) to the United States Constitution prohibits each government in the United States to prevent a citizen from voting based on that citizen's race,[1] color, or previous condition of servitude (i.e., slavery). It was ratified on February 3, 1870.

I don't believe previous condition of servitude is considered being a felon locked up in prison. But I guess I'm so wrong that I'm right.

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:22 pm

YARDofSTUF wrote:.

I stand corrected.. I'l have to fix that previous post. Thanks.

I'll admit I was wrong..no harm no foul

Edit: added a line to it.

I don't go against my 10year grace period comment since its reality of what it is now that will never change. If I had my way I'd go with my opinion and choose to never let them vote after being convicted of a felon.

downhill · Post by **downhill** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:23 pm

*falls over*

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:24 pm

Oh god theres gonna be a huge earthquake! LOL

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:25 pm

downhill wrote:Umm..no, it's a right not a privilege.

So you've never stole anything? Perhaps some gum or candy as a kid? You've also never done a crime like driving under the influence? Do you cheat on your taxes? That's a felony you know. How about a hit and run? Ever bump a car and took off?

Like I said, nobody is perfect but I'll grant you your opinion.

NOpe never stolen anything... Never had a problem with taxes, never lifted a pack of gum as a kid, I was taught better than most I guess.

downhill · Post by **downhill** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:27 pm

How about driving under the influence?

Are you saing you've never broke any laws? None? Never?

My god you are squeaky clean!

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:29 pm

downhill wrote:How about driving under the influence?

Are you saing you've never broke any laws? None? Never?

My god you are squeaky clean!

I don't drink and drive. And to my knowledge I've never knowingly broken a law to consider myself a felon.

I mean I don't know what else you want me to say???? I try to be a model citizen..I work, I come home, I eat dinner, play with my kid, talk to my wife, play on the computer then go to bed to repeat next day. I really don't do much besides that on a normal day.

brembo · Post by **brembo** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:30 pm

Sava, so your assertion is that voting is a privilege and NOT a right?

I want to be clear on this point.

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:37 pm

brembo wrote:Sava, so your assertion is that voting is a privilege and NOT a right?

I want to be clear on this point.

you clearly didn't understand that the post I gave was a joke right?

Debbie · Post by **Debbie** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:38 pm

Sava700 wrote:you clearly didn't understand that the post I gave was a joke right?

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:39 pm

Debbie wrote:

This one

Sava700 wrote:Certain rights perhaps..as humans, but not privileges as Americans. Voting is a Privilege not a right and committing a felony thus removes your privilege to vote and shouldn't be givin back...should have thought about those "Privileges" before doing the crime.

It was meant as a joke....

If I said that out loud to someone the way I would say it would come out as a joke or sarcasm, thats why I find it hard to say anything and not get taken the wrong way here to some people.

brembo · Post by **brembo** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:40 pm

Spit it out. A right or a privilege?

The answer has implications on your earlier attempt to justify removing the ability to vote.

Debbie · Post by **Debbie** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:40 pm

Sava700 wrote:This one

It was meant as a joke....

If I said that out loud to someone the way I would say it would come out as a joke or sarcasm, thats why I find it hard to say anything and not get taken the wrong way here to some people.

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight!!!!!!!!

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:43 pm

Debbie wrote:Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight!!!!!!!!

I can't believe you didn't read it like that... I'm guessing nobody did mostly brembo who keeps on asking for clarification.

Give it up brembo, go attack someone else, I'm done in this thread. night night

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Should felons have the right to vote?

Should felons be allowed to vote?