Is voting a right

[the makeout hobo]

I've seen various people on this site claim that people on governmental aid shouldn't be allowed to vote. Now my thought is that voting is a fundamental right, as we live in a democratic republic. Voting is what makes this a democratic form of government (can we please not quibble over semantics), as opposed to some sort of oligarchy, and as thus shouldn't be taken away without due process. What are your thoughts?

 

[OxymoronP]

We deny voting based on age.

Originally it was only given to white land owning men.

So in that regard there is nothing in the constitution that provides a clear statement to this.

 

[the makeout hobo]

We deny voting based on age.

Originally it was only given to white land owning men.

So in that regard there is nothing in the constitution that provides a clear statement to this.

Restricting voting due to age is a separate issue. A minor isn't considered to be a full citizen and has several rights restricted. Minors can't do lots of things an adult can.

Technically, right now any banning of voting rights violates the 14th amendment, but I'm talking about this in an general sense, not a constitutional sense

 

[DarkWizard12]

I've seen various people on this site claim that people on governmental aid shouldn't be allowed to vote. Now my thought is that voting is a fundamental right, as we live in a democratic republic. Voting is what makes this a democratic form of government (can we please not quibble over semantics), as opposed to some sort of oligarchy, and as thus shouldn't be taken away without due process. What are your thoughts?

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."

 

[digsbe]

We also restrict voting privileges to felons. Being able to vote is a privilege.

 

[DarkWizard12]

Restricting voting due to age is a separate issue. A minor isn't considered to be a full citizen and has several rights restricted. Minors can't do lots of things an adult can.

Technically, right now any banning of voting rights violates the 14th amendment, but I'm talking about this in an general sense, not a constitutional sense

Should those who are dependent on the government be considered full citizens?

 

[OxymoronP]

Restricting voting due to age is a separate issue. A minor isn't considered to be a full citizen and has several rights restricted. Minors can't do lots of things an adult can.

Same argument was made about blacks and women.

Technically, right now any banning of voting rights violates the 14th amendment, but I'm talking about this in an general sense, not a constitutional sense

Well in the general sence, since 17 and under are not allowed to vote it means that the goverment can decide the qualifications thus it becomes a privilege.

 

[the makeout hobo]

Same argument was made about blacks and women.

You really can't compare the situation with minors and with minorities. Minors are still developing the mental faculties it takes to be a member of society.

Well in the general sence, since 17 and under are not allowed to vote it means that the goverment can decide the qualifications thus it becomes a privilege.

It's different because minors aren't full citizens. A minor can't sit on a jury or issue a lawsuit or even go to prison without being declared an adult.

 

[the makeout hobo]

Should those who are dependent on the government be considered full citizens?

Yes, why wouldn't they? They're of the age of majority and no court of law has found them guilty of anything.

We also restrict voting privileges to felons. Being able to vote is a privilege.

That is because their rights were taken away through due process. We lock up felons for years and years, if you tried to do that to a regular citizen it'd be a crime. Hell, we kill felons on occasion. Your argument holds no weight.

 

[TheGirlNextDoor]

My knee jerk reaction is one of "No, voting is a privilege, not a right". However, it is a little more complicated and I think it's a good question that should be looked into a little deeper. I really feel that it's a privilege, as felons (for one example) do not participate in voting - if it were a right, they would still be able to do so.

The Right to Vote

 

[OxymoronP]

You really can't compare the situation with minors and with minorities. Minors are still developing the mental faculties it takes to be a member of society.

And people thought Blacks were inferior and lack of mental faculties to be members of society. Just playing Devils Advocate

It's different because minors aren't full citizens. A minor can't sit on a jury or issue a lawsuit or even go to prison without being declared an adult.[

3/5 laws anyone?

 

[the makeout hobo]

My knee jerk reaction is one of "No, voting is a privilege, not a right". However, it is a little more complicated and I think it's a good question that should be looked into a little deeper. I really feel that it's a privilege, as felons (for one example) do not participate in voting - if it were a right, they would still be able to do so.

The Right to Vote

Well felons rights have been taken away by the courts. A felon can have their rights to life and liberty revoked by the court system, voting rights are no different.

 

[the makeout hobo]

And people thought Blacks were inferior and lack of mental faculties to be members of society. Just playing Devils Advocate




3/5 laws anyone?

So how do you ACTUALLY feel, vs. just **** kicking?

 

[Jerry]

I've seen various people on this site claim that people on governmental aid shouldn't be allowed to vote. Now my thought is that voting is a fundamental right, as we live in a democratic republic. Voting is what makes this a democratic form of government (can we please not quibble over semantics), as opposed to some sort of oligarchy, and as thus shouldn't be taken away without due process. What are your thoughts?

Voting for Representatives and voting on ballot issues is a civil right.

Voting for President is a privilege.

The reasoning behind the idea of banning governmental aid recipients from voting is so that they don't keep voting themselves more money or keeping big-gov politicians in office.

This is also the exact same reason why single women should not be allowed to vote, but I digress.

The danger in creating a requirement of financial independence is that you invariably create new ways to abuse the system. Title19 and SMART users are those we have in mind to keep from voting, but what about those using section8 housing assistance, Social Security, or veteran's benefits?

The greater evil is blocking those on government assistance from voting. The problem of big government must be dealt with another way.

 

[OxymoronP]

I think some sort of basic testing would be good, this way if a 14 year old passes they should be able to vote.

 

[DarkWizard12]

Well felons rights have been taken away by the courts. A felon can have their rights to life and liberty revoked by the court system, voting rights are no different.

So should those who recieve money from the government be court-ordered not to vote? That way it's legal and you can't say there is a difference.

 

[rivrrat]

Voting for Representatives and voting on ballot issues is a right.

Voting for President is a privilege.

The reasoning behind the idea of banning governmental aid recipients from voting is so that they don't keep voting themselves more money or keeping big-gov politicians in office.

This is also the exact same reason why single women should not be allowed to vote.

WTF does marital status have to do with voting?

 

[samsmart]

Voting is a right. Everybody should have a say in the running of government. That is the reason why our Founding Fathers fought a revolution.

 

[OxymoronP]

Voting is a right. Everybody should have a say in the running of government. That is the reason why our Founding Fathers fought a revolution.

That and cheap Tea.

 

[Coronado]

WTF does marital status have to do with voting?

My wife won't let me take my opinions outside the house. Maybe that has something to do with it?

 

[rivrrat]

My wife won't let me take my opinions outside the house. Maybe that has something to do with it?

Why is she speaking at all? Did you give her permission?




:lol:

 

[TheGirlNextDoor]

WTF does marital status have to do with voting?

I'd like to know this as well. Especially since I'm a single mother of two who pays taxes, works full time and am a contributing member of society.

 

[Coronado]

Why is she speaking at all? Did you give her permission?




:lol:

It's the other way around, trust me.

 

[TheGirlNextDoor]

It's the other way around, trust me.

Yikes.



....

 

[rivrrat]

I'd like to know this as well. Especially since I'm a single mother of two who pays taxes, works full time and am a contributing member of society.

I have always been and will forever remain single. I've also been paying out the ass in taxes since I was 16. I'd LOVE to know his reasoning behind why we shouldn't be allowed to vote based on whether or not we've signed a ****ing piece of paper.