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Question: Are there any philosophical reasons why felons shouldn't vote!?
I'm in need of some expert-ish qualification as to why felons, or more broadly, people who do not respect the law, should not contribute to the law!.

Basically, I need a qualified source giving a reason why criminals shouldn't contribute to the law!. Philosophical ideas would be the best, but I'd love legal reasoning as well!.

No, this isn't for homework, it's for debate!.Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
I'm also doing this resolution!. I've chosen society as my value, and social welfare as my criterion!.

I've been running with the idea that a)felons disrespected the law, they shouldn't get to choose!. b)they constitute a very small portion of society, although this is mainly to back up my criterion!.

But some other possible values my team suggested were:
1) Felons show lack of judgement!. (This is however, a little weak, because people could say that "republicans show lack of judgement" or "judgement is in the eye of the beholder," something of that ilk!.)
2) Disrespect of the law!. (That's mine)!.
3) Retribution!. (i!.e!. losing the ability to vote is a just punishment!.)
4) Deterrence!. (if you lose the ability to vote, less people will want to commit crimes!.)

Good luck!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I agree with xnm because he specifically said, "egregious violation" because when you think about it how many of us have driven above or excessively below the speed limit, stood still on a sidewalk (a law that says your hindering the passage of pedestrians or something), or touched someone (because it could be assault regardless of the circumstances!.!.!.ask your local magistrates officer if you don't believe me!.!.!.why I know that I'll never know!. Jp, I'm a Law major) or have violated some other petty law!. I would have to disagree with your broadened premise about "people who do not respect the law, should not contribute to the law", however I do agree with your original premise (the reference you made using the word "felon") and (xnm's premise) the premise those who are in "egregious violation" of the law should not have the right to vote or participate in elections!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

if they dont respect the law they probably dont care who runs the government Www@QuestionHome@Com

They obviously have poor judgement!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

This question is as difficult as it is easy!.

You refer to both "felons" and "law", but what is a law, factually, other than someone's "opinion" and the willingness to use deadly force to back it up!?

Some laws are legitimate, like laws against murder, rape, theft, fraud, assault and battery, but we don't need voting for that!. Everything else is completely immoral because it doesn't involve a victim!. There are "felons" in prison for doing nothing more than smoking a particular leaf -- and while I don't advocate being unsafe while driving, if you're going down the road at 80 MPH and no one is being hurt, then a cop has absolutely no business stopping you!. All of this has been well-settled, though those in government will never tell anyone that!. If you did hurt someone while speeding, then the crime isn't speeding, it's something like vehicular manslaughter (a form of battery) or murder!.

But ultimately, no one should be allowed to vote!. Voting itself is an act of violence since the results are imposed upon everyone, voters and non-voters alike, regardless of whether anyone thinks the issue being voted upon is moral or just!.

The logical problem when it comes to voting is the failure to recognize a person's right to not choose someone or some issue to rule over him and everyone else!.

Just because person (A) wants to belong to a group doesn't give the group the right to order person (B) around, who refuses to join that group!. It makes no more sense than it would if the Baptists armed themselves and started ordering everyone around!. So in that case, if you refused to get baptized, wouldn't you be breaking the law!?

The fact is MOST robberies, murders, and other assaults in history were "legal" (done by government agents), and therefore RESISTING them was, by definition, illegal!. It was a CRIME to help a slave to escape; it was a CRIME to hide Jews from the Nazis; it was a crime to disobey the commands of the thugs of Stalin, Lenin, Mao, etc!. And so, for much of history, the good people were often the "law-breakers," and the "law-enforcers" were often the "felons"!.

Finally, when you vote, it is you voters who have no business complaining about the results!. You agreed to abide by the results of the election, no matter who won!. You voted to give politicians your consent to be governed!. Aren't your politicians merely representing you whenever they do their evil crap!? If so, how can you then whine and cry when they act like politicians and lie, steal, cheat, and break not only their campaign promises, but the law, too!? Didn't you give them your permission to do whatever the hell they want to you, on your behalf!? If not, what is the purpose of voting, anyway!?

As Emma Goldman so rightly observed, "If voting changed anything it would be illegal!."Www@QuestionHome@Com