Many of the "rights" we have in this country are actually privileges. You have the right to vote as long as you are a law abiding citizen. You have the right to own property, as long as you pay your property taxes. I don't believe that if a man commits first degree murder and serves his sentence that he should be allowed to vote. He has taken the right to vote away from the person he killed forever, so he should not get that right upon his release.
Psst. Who are the liberals here who said that? Once again love how you make broad statements with no facts.
Note that I said "arguably", because that's the only justification I could agree with for stripping away the right to vote. However, there are many other problems with the administration of justice in this country (and the world more generally) that mitigate against categorical stripping of the right to vote. These include false convictions, politically and racially motivated convictions and the like. And again, one of the foundations of criminal punishment and rehabilitation is that when your punishment is over, it is supposed to be just that - over. And I do believe that it is a human right, not a privilege. Don't say "Yall", because it's just me that said that. I'm a big boy and I'll take my criticism on my own. Thanks. And with regard to the most extreme example, namely of murder, note that I said "arguably", because I noted that's the only justification I could agree with for stripping away the right to vote. For other crimes, I kindly refer you to comments I made above about criminal justice more generally.
Is he liberal? He strikes me more as moderate with his views. But I guess since he doesn't ride fully on the conservative side that makes him liberal from your POV....
I guess it just takes one person here to say something to make everyone else the same. Funny how he doesn't seem to hold that same view when it comes to racist conservatives though....
Ra, I'm actually a pretty normal, rational guy. But as the right wing throws science, reason and non-religious fundamentalist interpretations of the world out the window, I'm sure it looks increasingly liberal. LOL - consider me liberal and proud. You must spread some reputation around before giving it to Eye of Ra again.
The right wing relies too much on these things called facts. Liberals love throwing around platitudes. So here's your daily serving... "Yes we can" "Hope. Change"
D.C. Court Rejects Texas' Voter ID Law http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/voter-id/dc-court-rejects-voter-id-law/ http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/31/us/court-blocks-tough-voter-id-law-in-texas.html?pagewanted=all
Wait...What??? Texas actually did something rational for a change?? And Rick Perry is still governor??? :smt107
Thank you. I subscribe to neither. The truth is that the majority of the available sociological and economic research support greater social investment and a more left view than the conservative forces will countenance. Conservative thinking is losing ground globally. That's why it has become more virulent and violent. Defunct social trends unwillingly exit the stage, kicking and screaming, struggling to cling to relevance. Only the election of a black president (this is not to gloss over his many shortcomings) has helped give them a fresh burst of energy to keep fighting. Supply side economics has been broadly discredited as an economic theory. Even right-wing economic thinking focuses more on long-term firm strategy, planning, investment in R&D and sustainable development than it does rapacious resource use, short-term profit and tax transfers. Fundamentalist/conservative interpretations of Abrahamic faiths are eroding in light of a more evolved understanding of the nature of the universe, the rights of women and those with different sexual orientations. Does that sound like a belief system that is reliant on facts? Or more like one that relies on traditions inherited from the dark ages of man's ignorance? That being said, I am not a fan of the Democrats either. Since I do not rely on platitudes, I guess I am a leftist.
Requiring people to show ID to vote for our PRESIDENT is too much. But try to buy a pack of gum with a credit card and you need to show ID...lol! But I guess the Republicans haven't given enough time to people. It's only been 4 years since the last election. Everybody knows those damn DMV lines are long. And I guess using any of the early vote options in Texas is out of the question as well. Its much easier to yell that "the Republicans are disenfranching me" instead of actually getting off the couch and getting an ID. http://elections.bexar.org/earlyvote/earlyvote.html
I have seen many people so broken that just getting them to accept and internalize their own self-worth and dignity is an uphill battle. Getting those same people to take a proactive role in their determining their destiny is no easy task. Then try getting them to believe that they actually have a chance, in spite of all their life evidence to the contrary. Then try convincing them that the game isn't rigged, when it is. Then try convincing them that it's a fight that you might actually win, despite the rigging. See what I mean?