|
Most states have this one right, IMO. (Rights re-instated when you are out of jail and off probation/parole)
I would probably be more comfortable with it simply being out of jail = you can vote. Letting folks in jail vote is a bit much, in my opinion. Take for example some tiny small town, where there is a large state or federal prison. In many cases, the prisoner population can meet or exceed that of the local folks. Which basically means, if allowed to vote in local elections they could elect whoever the hell they felt like. I think it still makes sense on a federal level as well.
However, many, many, many election laws and practices simply in my opinion are out of date. Back when most of these laws were instated (permanent disenfranchising felons) a felony was a VERY severe crime. Nowadays, practically everything you do can be charged as a felony if they feel like it.
There are a lot more somewhat stupid and old practices. Namely the electoral college. It works in theory (the theory being each state gets X number of votes depending on number of senators (population), so candidates ignore the less populus states and go after the top 5 or whatnot), but I think a lot of states need to re-visit the way their electoral votes are cast (and if need-be, since I'm no expert the federal laws need to be changed to account for this.)
Currently, an elector can vote for whomever the hell they feel like, and no one can do anything about it. I believe states should be able to tie their electoral votes directly to the popular vote, and bypass the possibility of a faithless elector screwing up a swing state, for example. It seems everyone I talk to simply does not believe me that an elector can change their vote entirely on their own whim (they can and have), granted it doesn't happen often - but still.
Also remember the election process was designed back in a time when no one could have even fathomed the power of the federal government. Back then, the US resembled something more like the EU - in terms that each state was more or less a seperate entity, who agreed to come together for mutual protection and welfare of the citizens. The tide has by far shifted though, with the majority of the power being held in the federal arms, instead of the states. Whether this is good or bad is up to you to decide.
Ah well, this should be an interesting one tomorrow.
And one quickie: to whomever said you do the crime, then do your time - unfortunately you are mistaken. Once you get convicted as a felon your life is essentially over in this society. Unless you already were well established in a career and have very specific skills, chances are you will never work anything above a menial job for the rest of your life. Hell, in this day in age employers are requiring you pass credit checks before you can get a job, not to mention a normal background check.
-Phil
|