Criminals voting?
As you may have read in the local papers, an inmate “voter registration drive†has been conducted in the jail for the first time in Butler County. I don’t agree with this action, and I want to do something about it. I have scheduled a meeting with State Representative Courtney Combs to discuss the possibility of proposing legislation that would prohibit any convicted inmate from voting while incarcerated.
Predictably, certain groups are accusing me of “depriving citizens their rights†as well as the usual charges of racism. To this I must say that what I am proposing is nothing new.
There are ALREADY laws that prohibit convicted felons from voting while in prison. I simply want to expand that law to include inmates convicted and serving time for felonies and misdemeanors in the county jails. As far as race is involved, I have stated over and over that convicted criminals are all the same to me. I honestly don’t understand why some continually try to make something out of nothing.
I just feel the idea that allowing convicted criminals to vote while serving time is like handing them a lollipop – a reward of sorts. Voting should be reserved for those that are law abiding citizens – the responsible people of our community who hold jobs and pay taxes, not criminals who break into houses and steal.
We should do everything within our power to encourage people to obey laws and stay out of jail. Allowing convicted criminals to vote just like law abiding citizens is certainly not a deterrent from committing crime.
What does the Federal Constitution say regarding the rights afforded to American Citizens, and does incarceration autimatically give any government or individual the right to restrict a Citizen’s rights?
I agree that those who are serving time in jail or prison for being convicted of a crime, misdemeanor or felony, should not have the same rights as those who are law abiding citizens. Nay sayers seem to think that even though criminals are convicted of crimes, they deserve the same rights as those who dont. What about the rights of the victims of the crimes they committed. The criminals didnt take their rights into consideration while they were committing these crimes. So why should they be able to have the same freedoms and rights that we law abiding citizens have. If their rights should be taken into consideration, then why do we put them in jail at all. I do believe in rehabilitation to an extent. I believe in forgiveness too. But society is ok with sex offenders having to register forever even though their “debt to society” has been paid. So why should we allow these people to vote if they have been convicted of a felony? I personally believe that voting is a priviledge. Law abiding citizens should have more priviledges than those who commit crimes. I say way to go Sheriff, again. Those who dont agree should try to think of the victims of these crimes whose rights were violated and those victims will never be the same. So why should the person who took that persons rights forever, be given all of their rights? Good job Sheriff.
To Anon’s question regarding the U.S. Constitution: The Constitution leaves the manner in which we elect our federal representatives up to the individual states. The 14th Amendment makes mention of the possibility that the states could deny individuals the right to vote if they have participated in crimes. It also suggests that there may be other (unanticipated) reasons for States to deny individuals the right to vote.
we need at least 50000 troops on the border. fully armed.now. i have an idea. for people with the time and money.organize a huge caravan,1000 people or more.go down to mexico,camp out.demand free medical,free food,the right to vote. ect. bring plenty of american flags. see what happens . itr would be awesome.americans would rally!
I completely agree with aeb. Why should criminals be allowed to vote? When a person breaks the law, certain everyday privileges are taken away. This is definitely one of those privileges that criminals should have taken away. It’s part of their punishment. I don’t understand why people would believe that offenders should be allowed to vote for our elected officials. If voting is so important to criminals, don’t break the law and it won’t be a problem.
I agree with you Sheriff Jones convicted Felons lose all citizenship rights when they are incarcerated. WE personally know each other and both know that if they could vote they would try to run for political office while in prison. We currently have some in political office that believe this would be OK for them. Continue the good fight You know I support you.
Denying the “right” to vote puts voting into the prvileage catagory. So consitutionally Americans do not have a right to vote but a privileage. Rights cannot be denied. Privileages can be revoked.
to the comment george made about going to mexico and asking for free health care and free food, i would tell him to go ahead maybe he would get what he asked for. Not from the government but the good hearted people from that country… Their government don’t provide them health care or free food they work hard to just get by but if you went goerge and didn’t have any food and was hungry they would sure make room for you at their table even if it meant taking from thier own mouths. To the other part of your comment about going down on the border being armed….. what do you want to do just shoot anyone you see trying to cross???? oh wait i got a better idea why don’t we just round them all up with their children and wifes would that make you and the rest of these racist people happy?????
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