rights

I am a bit fascinated by the issue as to whether or not convicted felons ought to have the right to vote. some are of the opinion that a convicted felon should have that constitutional right revoked because of the crime(s) they have committed. I presume that this would mean all convicted felons, be they murderers to government officials caught extorting or perhaps perjuring.

I tend to think disallowing a convicted felon from voting is silly at worst, misguided at best. I think it is silly because, while the number of convicted felons is not small, I doubt there is a sufficient number of convicted felons who are both organized into a voting block to exact significant change in our society in a meaningful way. I think it is misguided because a felon is human being living in and influenced by our government and society and both capable of and therefore worthy of having opinions heard and a voice in our developing nation.

I do not fully understand the rationale behind disallowing a convicted felon from voting. Is there some level of worry that somehow a criminal mindset will take over our nation? If that was the worry I certainly wonder about the attitudes and decisions of some/many of our elected and appointed and hired government officials who engage in both illegal and selfish behaviors and plans and decisions on a regular basis.

I contend who is the greater threat: the murderer in Leavenworth, reduced to a life of confinement that may include such things as working for a few pennies each day to purchase cigarettes and books, stamping license plates and road signs, keeping his body fit during his daily exercise period and studying psychology in the prison library; or the government official cutting a deal with a special interest group that will filter considerable funds to certain corporations that will in turn provide sufficient campaign funding and voting constituency to keep that government official in office for another term?

Frankly, limiting any adult U.S. citizen from voting is needless, errant, and perhaps myopic.

And, just as frankly, I do not contend to have a full understanding of all the pertinent antecedents and consequences of this issue.

Furthermore, I contend that no one has sufficient understanding of the issue.

Let them vote.