There was a thread going about whether it was right to permanently remove voting rights from convicted criminals, now I was looking up the requirements to be a congressman and it struck me that apart from some residential conditions there are no prerequisites re character, criminal history etc etc.

So.....going to jail can deprive you of a very minor piece of political power, ie having a vote. But doesn't stop you becoming a congressman and having much more power and the ability to do some real damage In fact you could be a congressman....whilst not actually being able to vote yourself

That's odd

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England has no eternal friends and no eternal enemies, only eternal interests - Palmerston

hey, considering some of the folks we have had and do have in congress, I am far from surprised and that reaches across the aisles...hell, some start their criminal career in congress...

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No individual can plan his own existence in their view.

So the state planners must arrogate to themselves the right to manipulate any sector of the economic system if the good of “society” or the “general welfare” is paramount.

Ipso- if the rights of the individual get in the way, the rights of the individual must be sublimated.

The Road to Serfdom
FA Hayek (interpretation)


Mortgage Backed Security survivor

Don't forget Alcee Hasings....impeached off the bench, convicted felon.....now a member of Congress.

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I am facing a felony for a personal amount of marijuana. I think it's ridiculous that I may not be able to vote again.

It's even more ridiculous that I can still run for congress though, why one and not the other? Obviously some laws need changing, and it's not the ones about requirements for congress.

"So.....going to jail can deprive you of a very minor piece of political power, ie having a vote. But doesn't stop you becoming a congressman and having much more power and the ability to do some real damage In fact you could be a congressman....whilst not actually being able to vote yourself

That's odd" agreed.

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Write In Your Vote! - US Politics: For the People, by the People.
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"do you think Bush forgot to put the constitution back when he was done wiping his ass with it or why has everyone forgotten what it says?"

Has it occured to anyone that the sensible solution to this perceived inequity is to propose a constitutional amendment barring those with felony convictions from holding public office?

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"It's a good feeling to shoot a bad guy. Something you democrats would never understand. Americans are homesteaders, we want a safe home, keep the money we make, and shoot bad guys!"

----Denny Crane

seems like that wouldn't be needed...but alas.

Only in blue districts/states *grin*

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"It's a good feeling to shoot a bad guy. Something you democrats would never understand. Americans are homesteaders, we want a safe home, keep the money we make, and shoot bad guys!"

----Denny Crane

WriteinYourVote;
It isn't even half as ridiculous as facing a felony charge for some Percy.