Should people on public assistance be able to vote?

I was listening to Walton and Johnson this morning and they brought up a decent point.

Those voting for public assistance are the ones ON public assistance. I mean WTF of course I would vote for free money if I was getting it.

What's your thought?

 

If things were right with the American Republic, it really would not matter since government would wield no unlawful power.

tgsam

 

"If" doesn't help anyone... Welcome to reality.

 

Sad but true. It will take a significant number of competent citizens working in concert to salvage respect for the promise of July 4, 1776.

tgsam

 

I think everyone should be allowed to vote, except non citizens, and people who are serving time.

 

Go to the Butler Shaffer Archives. Read, Election Day; a Holiday for Fools.

Law Professor Shaffer just might be on to something.

tgsam

 

and just where is the line drawn?

what if you have a single mother that has been laid off from her job through no fault of her own. (say business closing.) she is busting her ass looking for another job, doing menial jobs to try to keep the bills paid, but has to apply for food stamps to keep her children fed until she can get back on her feet. and her children are eligible for medicaid since she also lost her insurance.

do you say "you cant vote" to someone who may be temporarily down on their luck but trying their best to get off of public assistance? and how many paper pushers is it gonna take to determine that first of all she has lost her right to vote, and then to reinstate it once she gets on her feet and has a job that allows her to get off of public assistance and care for her family?

or what about the family (mom, dad, two kids) that are in a similar situation? they barely get by, but have jobs to pay the bills and put groceries on the table. however, neither mom or dad's job offer insurance and since the income is so low and they have no insurance, the kids are eligible for medicaid under the state program. because the family receives public assistance in the form of basic health care for the kids, do you tell them they cant vote? what if one of the parents is also taking night courses to hopefully be able to better their lives?

what is the line? what is the criteria of "public assistance". seems like a slippery slope to me. not to mention the huge gobs of cash it would take to run a program determining who could and couldnt vote, get people off the voting rolls, getting them back on, etc etc.

 

I was going to say that but i deleted it.:lol:

 

that thought went through my mind also. or corporate welfare. should the ceo's of companies that received baiilouts not be able to vote? hell, why not all the workers of those companies. after all, it may have benefited them to keep their jobs.

sorry sf, you have to sit out the next election.:hihi:

hell, i want the tax credit for my dogs. does that mean if i get tax money for my dogs, they can no longer vote?

(obvious sarcasm and picking on sf a bit for those that missed it.)