The Fly on Voting Felons
This evening on the Lars Larson show, which I think was a rerun because I tried twice to call in without anyone even answering; I think Lars said something about it being the seventh of December. Anyway, the topic of the first hour was whether or not felons should be able to vote.
What does the Fly think about this?
In many states, felons can't vote. They can't be lawyers, they can't be doctors. They can't serve on juries. Why? Because they've demonstrated that they are either too incompetent to obey the law, or they have so little regard for the rule of law that they're willing to disobey the law.
If someone is too stupid or too corrupt to obey the law, why should society let them serve on a jury?
If someone is too stupid or too currupt to obey the law, why should society let them vote?
The social contract that everyone in the United States is subject to is based upon a common respect for the rule of law. It's based on sacrificing one's own best interests for the overall best interests of the society as a whole. If one doesn't like the laws, they should either endeavour to have them changed, or move somewhere else. If someone violates that social contract by committing a crime serious enough to be classified as a felony, then they've demonstrated an inability or unwillingness to put the rule of law above themselves. Not only do they not deserve to be included in the civic process, they can't be trusted to be a part of it, either.
I don't differentiate between so-called "white collar" crimes and heinous, violent crimes. A felony is a felony; felonies are classified as such because they are meant to protect innocent citizens from the harm caused by certain heinous acts.
That's where I stand. Disagree? Leave a comment.
What does the Fly think about this?
In many states, felons can't vote. They can't be lawyers, they can't be doctors. They can't serve on juries. Why? Because they've demonstrated that they are either too incompetent to obey the law, or they have so little regard for the rule of law that they're willing to disobey the law.
If someone is too stupid or too corrupt to obey the law, why should society let them serve on a jury?
If someone is too stupid or too currupt to obey the law, why should society let them vote?
The social contract that everyone in the United States is subject to is based upon a common respect for the rule of law. It's based on sacrificing one's own best interests for the overall best interests of the society as a whole. If one doesn't like the laws, they should either endeavour to have them changed, or move somewhere else. If someone violates that social contract by committing a crime serious enough to be classified as a felony, then they've demonstrated an inability or unwillingness to put the rule of law above themselves. Not only do they not deserve to be included in the civic process, they can't be trusted to be a part of it, either.
I don't differentiate between so-called "white collar" crimes and heinous, violent crimes. A felony is a felony; felonies are classified as such because they are meant to protect innocent citizens from the harm caused by certain heinous acts.
That's where I stand. Disagree? Leave a comment.
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