"I am not sure our democracy is made better by allowing murderers to vote" - Ted Cruz
As usual, Ted Cruz is wrong on policy, and spectacularly wrong about what matters to a functional democracy
As usual, Ted Cruz is wrong on policy, and spectacularly wrong about what matters to a functional democracy
He even inferred that the 14th amendment suggested for disenfranchisement, which it does not (it only allows it, if a state decides to do so).
Just a shameful exercise in political theater with real people's votes on the line
Just a shameful exercise in political theater with real people's votes on the line
1. No taxation without representation (you know the foundation of the Tea Party movement...I believe you have heard of it Mr. Cruz?)
2. Every member of that Tea Party broke the law and could have been excluded from voting under the Cruz reasoning
2. Every member of that Tea Party broke the law and could have been excluded from voting under the Cruz reasoning
3. Incarceration, everyone should agree, is nearly the MOST extreme form of taxation that exists (death penalty is the most) and people incarcerated have NO voice (at all) in their own governance
4. People are more than their crimes
4. People are more than their crimes
5. Why would anyone consent to continue to abide by laws and participate fully in a Democracy from which their voice is excluded and to which they will never be included?
6. Using the "what about Hannibal Lechter' argument is how mass incarceration was built and maintained
6. Using the "what about Hannibal Lechter' argument is how mass incarceration was built and maintained
7. Mr. Cruz is actually wrong, there is actually published research that suggests that allowing formerly incarcerated people to vote IMPROVES our democracy and public safety outcomes
Marc Mauer 2011 Howard Law Journal, VOL. 54:549, 2011 sentencingproject.org/publications/v…
Marc Mauer 2011 Howard Law Journal, VOL. 54:549, 2011 sentencingproject.org/publications/v…
More evidence
There are of course other reasons we should allow people to vote
For instance, preventing incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people from voting is a MASSIVELY racially disparate
For instance, preventing incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people from voting is a MASSIVELY racially disparate
In fact the 14th exception and many of the policies that followed from that compromise form a history of MASSIVE racially motivated voter suppression
And Mr. Curz was explicitly engaged in "monster making" which is how this system is literally maintained
And Cruz is wrong because the 14th amendment exception is out of step with what the court has decided is not generally true
His is also literally an anti-democratic message...explicitly so, he is saying that punishment is more important than Democracy....I do not agree
At the end of the day, we either believe rights are inherent and ordained...that they can be limited but not erased....or we don't....we believe in liberty or we don't
What Ted Cruz was explicitly arguing is that we are a better nation if we disenfranchise 70 million people
What Ted Cruz was explicitly arguing is that we are a better nation if we disenfranchise 70 million people
Funny story, I was just informed that apparently people sentenced for murder can vote in Texas after they have served their sentence....Texas being the state Ted Cruz represents (sigh)
Grandstanding much?
Grandstanding much?
I used to live in Texas, so I should have known that, but I have lived in Michigan for a long time....and we allow everyone to vote - regardless of offense - after they come back from incarceration.
Oddly enough we have a GOP Senate and House
Oddly enough we have a GOP Senate and House
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