PatsWSB47

Well, the Daily Beast has declared it so but I think it's actual purpose is to disenfranchise voters that would likely vote democratic. I can't prove it but I think predominantly white ex cons vote democratic too. In any event this is a stupid law that doesn't fool anybody.

Real World

First and foremost, how is this "racist"?

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"The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of doubt, what is laid before him."
Leo Tolstoy, 1897

scout

I saw a glimpse of that on some news channel the other night. If they did their time, then they should be allowed to vote. The End.
( they say its racist because the majority in prison are black).

PatsWSB47

Agreed. There's one stat in there that was pretty alarming though:

I'm not sure what I'm more shocked at, keeping people that paid their price from voting or that so many are in jail or on parole or on probation in this country.

scout

I'm wondering what the percentage is for non-violent crime. Definitely should let the pot heads out.

Real World

I don't believe excons are allowed to own guns either. These are societal issues and I'm not sure I have a problem with some of them.

As for it being racist because a lot of black are in jail, I figured as much, but how does that make it racist? It isn't a law that's being pushed forth because of color. It's a law that is being pushed forth because of criminals in general.

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"The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of doubt, what is laid before him."
Leo Tolstoy, 1897

STFarmy

Because in today's world, the word "racist" is used by alarmists in headlines to garner an audience and to demonize people with different political opinions.

chicowalker

Agreed. As long as it's not put into place retroactively, I don't see why suspension of voting rights even beyond one's prison sentence can't be allowed -- just like there's parole, probation, etc. It just needs to be part of sentencing.

My own view is that it's a bad idea, particularly for non-violent offenders. I don't think we should be sending the message any further that ex-cons aren't expected to be fully functioning citizens.

I'm not sure what good would be expected to come from such a law.


Well, that's the question, right? What is the motivation behind it?

I wouldn't call it racist without knowing a lot more about the law, the arguments behind it, other actions and proposed laws from the people backing it, etc. If the result is to disenfranchise any particular group substantially more than others, though, I think it merits scrutiny.

(and that group could be political rather than racial, as suggested in the first post)

chicowalker

and in today's world, simply ascribing things to "the race card" is used by deniers to ignore true racism

jcdavey

i don't think it's racist, but once you've served your time, you should be able to vote if you're a "free man"