Felons Voting 

 Voting is a basic right that characterizes a citizen; I do not believe it’s a privilege.  When you hear the word felon, yes they’re criminals and evidently they should not have the right to take part in voting.  On average felons have exposed immoral decisions, and by definition committing a felony is a major crime. Felons have shown inadequate judgment, and should not be able to express themselves in a political decision.  If you choose not to follow the law, why should you have a right to make future laws for other citizens?

            Reflecting on the case of the speaker with a crime involving stealing money, I believe he should have the right to vote.  I consider the fact that some felons should be aloud to vote under certain circumstances. For instance a person who wrote a bad check years ago and has lived a standard life since, should have there voting rights returned.  Now we have to consider the felons with more serious crimes.  We can’t give voting rights back to certain felons by law, and I believe it should be determined by the individual’s case, not an across-the-board basis.

            It has been often stated that felons released from prison should be able to vote because they have “paid their debt to society.”  For the speaker not only did he pay his dues, but he does more for society than many other non-felons.  He gives to the community by voicing his opinion on the issues, and helps others gain a since of understanding.  He doesn’t make his speeches because he feels responsible to do so, but because it makes him feel better about how he had spent his time at the end of the day.

To deprive millions of ex-felons is giving the polls political silence.  It also certainly does not show much for our democracy.  I think many things on the issue of felons voting should be altered, because it is a basic human right. People who have paid their debt to society should have their rights restored.