ANNAPOLIS—The Maryland Senate and House of Delegates have passed legislation to allow convicted felons to regain the right to vote after they have completed their sentences. Currently, Senate Bill 488 and House Bill 554, the so-called Voter Registration Protection Act, appear destined for the desk of Martin O’Malley to be signed into law. The Democrat majority pushed these bills through the legislature and voted down amendments that would have excluded murderers, rapists, and child molesters from this law. Maryland Republican Party Chairman James Pelura had the following comment about this bill:
“The Democrat majority has gone too far in passing legislation to allow convicted murderers, child molesters, rapists, and many other violent offenders to regain the right to vote. All of these convicted felons are people who have rejected our society and civil order. This smacks in the face of law-abiding citizens and victims everywhere.”
2007-03-29 01:00:40 · 15 answers · asked by For_Gondor! 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
This is just another example of how soft the left is; on crime, national security, moral issues, you name it. If I had my way- child molestation, attempted murder, murder, and rape would all be a mandatory death sentence with limited appeal.
If you allow sickos to breed and vote, guess what? Youre gonna have a lot of sickos in society!
2007-03-29 01:36:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Without knowing more I'd say that this is a state issue and it would not affect my vote either way since I don't live in MD . . . .
Here is what the Baltimore Sun says:
"The current law prohibits people convicted of multiple felonies from voting for three years after completing their sentences. People with multiple violent felony convictions can't vote at all.
A bill approved by the Senate 28-19 today would repeal the three-year waiting period and also allow repeat violent felons to seek the vote once they have served their sentences.
Supporters said the measure is needed to help former offenders become productive citizens. Some of the qualifying felonies are as minor as food stamp fraud.
Opponents argued that the people convicted of the most serious felonies should never be allowed to vote."
The bill sounds fair to me. People who have served their time would get the vote when their time is served while violent ex cons would have to petition -- they would not automatically be reenfranchised.
2007-03-29 08:06:40 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
So being released means they have paid for their crimes. By stripping rights away after the release date you continue to punish. Only a republican mentality would want to have perpetual punishment even for those that have served their time! Does it ever end when your dealing with a repuke?
2007-03-29 08:12:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The key here is that the right will be restored when they have finished their sentences. If you release these people from prison, you are allowing them to rejoin society. And if you have a problem with them voting, how can you not have a problem with their release? I think THAT is the big issue here. Cause if you think its okay for them to be released, then certainly, its fine for them to vote...
2007-03-29 08:05:33 · answer #4 · answered by Super Ruper 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
That's nothing new for them. They've been doing it little by little for a long time now, this is just one of the bold steps or maybe that democrat just wanted his name in the media at any cost. Either way, they can't get much more stupid than that.
2007-03-29 08:45:59 · answer #5 · answered by Kevin A 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have an idea that might work for everyone: We could extend the Patriot Act to include child molesters. Send them to Gitmo, no warrant required. I think it could sell.
2007-03-29 08:32:59 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
FACT. Criminals vote democrat cause they leave the jail doors unlocked.
FACT , dems let criminals out so they can have enough crime to justify new gun laws and police state communities, slowly socialising our country through mutiple laws.
Every law steels a freedom.
in 1984 : 17450+ federal firearm arrests, 14550 convictions
1996: 18750+ arrests, 4600 convictions
see the patern.
2007-03-29 08:13:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Same reason I don't like / trust the republican OR the democrat party. They are all dishonest and they all hide extra things in bills that will benefit their own. It's all dishonest work. Seems the only qualification nowadays is to be rich and dishonest. If you are honest, you ain't gittin' anywhere by being honest.
2007-03-29 08:06:20 · answer #8 · answered by Hickemtwiddle 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yeah, why are they giving crooked Republicans, like Jack Abramoff, Duke Cunningham, David Safavian, Scooter Libby, etc., the right to vote?
2007-03-29 08:03:56 · answer #9 · answered by ck4829 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
If someone has committed a crime, served their time and has been released, why not let them vote? We can't expect them to integrate back to society while telling them that they can't participate.
One more thing. The ex cons who are likely to vote are more likely to be productive members of the community.
2007-03-29 08:08:10 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋