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Everyone That Pays Taxes Should Have Equal Rights Felon Or Non-Felon
If you pay into the system you should be protected by the system. A non violent offender should be able to protect themselves from a violent aggressor. A person who pays taxes should be able to vote on the bills and laws that are being passed. Even if they are a felon that does not mean that the persons vote should not matter. They take the money so take the vote.
 naturegirl  01 Aug 2008 19:39
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How can you believe innocent until proven guilty, you have obviously never been arrested and dealt with the judicial system. In reality its guilty until you prove your innocence. Anyone that has dealt with trial proceedings knows that if you find out that the arresting officers did not follow procedures during the arrest ,which in most cases will be reason for the case to be dismissed the judge can strike testamony regarding the defenses findings. Even if police go against all text book procedures the judge will say that the defendant's testimony is irrelevant and unrepeatable.
 
 windman  02 Aug 2008 08:49
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I agree in principle.

There may be special circumstances for exceptions and I already listed those in your other debate topic post. For example, a person guilty of treason against their nation has a hard time justifying why they should get the right to vote again. You can't try to destroy a system of rights and then expect to have all those same rights.

But in principle yes, we should be equal. Convicted criminals need a chance to constructively rejoin society unless they're so far gone they can't make that transition.
 
 Grenache  01 Aug 2008 21:17
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Yes.

Right is fair. Fair is right.
 
 Scorpion  01 Aug 2008 19:43
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If you are tried by jury of your peers and the Jury has no felons on it then its not your peers.
 
 naturegirl  01 Aug 2008 19:42
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 So the president can only be tried by the other presidents? Peers means other citizens, not whatever you thought. And besides, you're innocent until proven guilty, so your peers even by your definition would be people who hadn't been convicted.
by  sander
 01 Aug 2008 23:29
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Committing a felony is the same as voluntarily giving up your right to vote. I sincerely doubt there are really that many felons who care to exercise that right to begin with. We all know the consequences, right?

I might be open to reconsidering my position if a felon can go without any further convictions for 15-20 years.
 
 Cons_Lies  02 Aug 2008 00:20
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 "I sincerely doubt there are really that many felons to care".....

statement portion, indicates a bias in disfavor of the felons.
no matter the mitigating circumstances.
is prejudicial.
by  Scorpion
 02 Aug 2008 00:45
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