Democratic Primaries

corbettkroehler

(1,898 posts)

71. The Root Of The Problem Is Our Constitutional Rights

Reply to DemocratSinceBirth (Original post)

Tue Apr 23, 2019, 02:17 PM

Apr 2019

I disagree with your position but wouldn't revoke your membership card. I may differ with your opinion but I would fight for your right to hold it.

I operate under the definition that Democracy means that the minority has a voice.

I come down somewhere near Bernie's viewpoint as expressed during the CNN Town Hall last night: as soon as we begin chipping away at voting rights, it becomes a slippery slope.

If we reduced incarceration through criminal justice reform, the number of felons per capita would drop to a relatively low number versus the general public. They could vote their conscience without swinging large blocks of the electorate writ large.

Many of us think that universal suffrage guaranteed the right to vote as a constitutional right. It did not. This is why so many court cases have failed repeatedly to block gerrymandering.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided

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Should I be kicked out of the Club For Progressives? [View all] DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2019 OP

You're safely on the side of the majority, so rest easy, I guess? WhiskeyGrinder Apr 2019 #1

Of course felons who served their time should have their rights restored DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2019 #3

Charles Manson did not lose his citizenship when he was incarcerated. WhiskeyGrinder Apr 2019 #6

Of course he didn't lose his US 'citizenship' SharonClark Apr 2019 #9

No, but we don't let him exercise Second Amendment rights, either LongtimeAZDem Apr 2019 #17

What dangers does voting by incarcerated people present? WhiskeyGrinder Apr 2019 #25

The same dangers presented by all voting. Elections have consequences. LongtimeAZDem Apr 2019 #26

You're right. We should do away with voting entirely. WhiskeyGrinder Apr 2019 #28

That tactic is unbecoming. I'll leave you to it. LongtimeAZDem Apr 2019 #29

Dang, I thought we were getting somewhere. WhiskeyGrinder Apr 2019 #33

Hahaha... like your sense of humor!! (Wish some had more of it.) InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2019 #44

I have a freiend who went to the hoosegow for stealing a leather jacket. DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2019 #30

I disagree with that outcome, but it is a different discussion than this one LongtimeAZDem Apr 2019 #35

He found a well paying job in loss protection. DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2019 #39

The Willie Horton ads write themselves. crazytown Apr 2019 #2

They would use this with great effect in 2020 BannonsLiver Apr 2019 #77

Your progressive membership is in good standing. WeekiWater Apr 2019 #4

Vermont allows inmates to vote in jail JonLP24 Apr 2019 #5

Sure...but Vermont sends people to prison in southern states ...private prison hell holes...so I Demsrule86 Apr 2019 #13

I support voting rights for everyone JonLP24 Apr 2019 #15

Not in prison...after release and for non-violent folks. Demsrule86 Apr 2019 #27

Tim Wise broke down the history of disenfranchisement JonLP24 Apr 2019 #37

ACLU JonLP24 Apr 2019 #81

The only reason this is an issue is because Sander said it...and making people of color Demsrule86 Apr 2019 #82

I tried to explain to you the roots of felony disenfranchisement is rooted in White Supremacy JonLP24 Apr 2019 #84

People who didn't own property were not allowed to vote back in the day, Demsrule86 Apr 2019 #86

I'm just explaining the history to you JonLP24 Apr 2019 #88

Thank you for the explanation...I was aware of some of that. But the most pressing issues for Demsrule86 Apr 2019 #87

Sure Bernie said it so it must be supported. Demsrule86 Apr 2019 #32

I think it is the other way around JonLP24 Apr 2019 #36

I have seen Sanders supporters support Hugh Melllo.... a candidate that sponsored a Demsrule86 Apr 2019 #49

Tell that to Kamala... and she was in the criminal prosecution business. InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2019 #46

Should I be worried about the fact DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2019 #18

I have a problem with mass incarceration and racial disparities in the criminal justice system JonLP24 Apr 2019 #21

I would take away the right to vote DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2019 #22

I agree. cwydro Apr 2019 #69

re: "I would be willing to look at each case on an individual basis." thesquanderer Apr 2019 #72

As a general rule if you commit a capital offense DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2019 #76

Interesting stat on Vermont-what is the state doing to delisen Apr 2019 #52

According to another poster they ship some of their prisoners to the Deep South. DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2019 #57

I think you should look more into how well run Vermont is. Remember, they ship hundreds... George II Apr 2019 #20

They ship black prisoners to the Deep South? DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2019 #24

Yes, there are prisoners from Vermont currently being housed in 13 prisons outside of Vermont... George II Apr 2019 #31

Seem like disproportionate punishment. DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2019 #34

as of 2016, there're 1509 (1229 in prison, the rest jail) inmates under custody in Vermont (non Fed) Celerity Apr 2019 #43

So if their prisoners are in Mississippi radical noodle Apr 2019 #85

Incarceration is the removal of a person from society and consequently, the loss of civic rights. Firestorm49 Apr 2019 #7

Do you favor taking away inmates' 1st amendment rights as well? (n/t) thesquanderer Apr 2019 #63

This thread isn't about first amendment t rights BannonsLiver Apr 2019 #65

The thread is about doing away with an inmate's rights. What's the difference? thesquanderer Apr 2019 #67

No, just the voting rights. BannonsLiver Apr 2019 #68

On what basis is this right less protectable than the others? (n/t) thesquanderer Apr 2019 #70

It Varies by state so you'd get a bunch of different answers BannonsLiver Apr 2019 #73

I don't see the relationship between "severity" and "right to vote" thesquanderer Apr 2019 #75

Of course there will be disagreements. David__77 Apr 2019 #8

So we still let them end up in jail only now they get to vote? Sorry not feeling the Bern...I will Demsrule86 Apr 2019 #12

I don't know that this need be about Sanders. David__77 Apr 2019 #16

The condition of our prisons are a national disgrace. Demsrule86 Apr 2019 #23

It is about Sanders. He was the one who proposed it, not Harris. George II Apr 2019 #51

Yes, it is a different position. David__77 Apr 2019 #55

Your quote is wrong. thesquanderer Apr 2019 #64

Seems we're mixing apples and oranges. DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2019 #19

I am against incarcerated folks who have been convicted voting Demsrule86 Apr 2019 #10

Even misdemeanor jail inmates? David__77 Apr 2019 #14

For the most part people who are jailed for misdemeanors only serve a month or two, most states.... George II Apr 2019 #42

I think it's great that people here can air their views and disagreements! David__77 Apr 2019 #47

re: "I don't believe people who are convicted of a crime and jailed should have the right to vote." thesquanderer Apr 2019 #66

Yes.after their debt to society is paid than they vote. By the way were you aware Demsrule86 Apr 2019 #50

Thanks for sharing your view. David__77 Apr 2019 #53

Maybe the discussion should start with allowing ex-felons who have served their time SharonClark Apr 2019 #11

Elections are a state matter. Demsrule86 Apr 2019 #38

So one state could set the voting age at 30, or require you to show that your mom was white? rgbecker Apr 2019 #89

Yeah states can do what rhea choose. Demsrule86 Apr 2019 #90

A question without a perfect answer, but I believe Hortensis Apr 2019 #40

Do we all get to add crimes to the list or only you? dsc Apr 2019 #41

We do it all the time. DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2019 #45

It should be noted that the only grounds to lose voting after serving time used to be bribery dsc Apr 2019 #48

As a practical matter most felons should have their rights restored with the emphasis on most. DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2019 #56

+1 LongtimeAZDem Apr 2019 #58

The law distinguishes between felonies and capital offenses. DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2019 #59

and if you don't then you get everyone lobbying for his or her crime to be included in the list of dsc Apr 2019 #61

The law shouldn't be affected by the weather but it inevitably will be influenced by the climate. DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2019 #74

K&R stonecutter357 Apr 2019 #54

GOP would add anyone who looks like or shares a name with felons, for voter suppression IronLionZion Apr 2019 #60

This message was self-deleted by its author BannonsLiver Apr 2019 #79

Right there with you on that! Peacetrain Apr 2019 #62

The Root Of The Problem Is Our Constitutional Rights corbettkroehler Apr 2019 #71

I/ We're talking about the worst of the worst, not your garden variety offender, who should have his DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2019 #78

Trump and the Russians are... Mike Nelson Apr 2019 #80

I share that view. nt Blue_true Apr 2019 #83