Do you think that people on welfare should retain their voting rights?

Question

Not forever, but while they are on welfare.

I live in a rural area of a State, the Govoner of which keeps getting re-elected by inner city wards. It was recently announced that drivers need to pay an additional tax to keep bus faires low. We have no bus service where I live.

It's also worth noting that better than 60% of the welfare recipiants in my state reside in the inner city wards. These wards are where all the campainging gets done. I live 50 miles from the state capital and the Gov. has never visited this town.

The point about the military is true, but we get value from the military. And they pay taxes on their wages. What do we get from welfare recipients?
At election time they vote for the guy who promises to increase benefits, which makes sense for them. As a tax payer I don't get to vote myself a pay increase, and an increase in welfare benefits is a tax increase for the rest of the citizens, then usually at a late night session our legislature diverts fund for rural infrastructure to inner city infrastructure. All done so politicians can secure votes in a more heavily populated area, that contributes very little in the way of taxes.
If welfare recipiants couldn't vote, politicians would be forced to work for votes across the entire state instead of in just large cities, so the entire state would be better served.

I was hoping someone could convince me to rethink my position. So far it hasn't happened. Really I don't think any of those who answered did anymore than "shoot from the hip". I'd hoped for something more thought provoking. But I guess I've "shot from the hip as well".

Answer 1

Welfare recipients have every right to vote and more reason to than most. The military are on the payroll of America, but isn't that the same thing? Are you going to stop a soldier from casting a ballot?

If anyone was forbidden to vote, what would stop those in power from declaring everybody but themselves to be in the same category?

Voter turn out in the United States is pitiful. If you really want to make a difference, get people who think like you do to the polls.

Answer 2

So you are comfortable with big business donating to political parties that they feel will make them richer but you want to take the vote away from a few people who are temporarily down on their luck. That is pretty heartless.
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Answer 3

no the same reason school teachers shouldn't vote for a school tax increase

Answer 4

All people of legal age can vote and that must not be changed or you just don't have democracy.

Answer 5

Yes. What makes them less of a citizen?