And so my hybrid approach is best.
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Bernie wants murderers, rapists, and thieves to vote for him. Among others.....
- Thread starter Twilight Hue
- Start date
I agree with your first point, but to the second I say, "gotta start somewhere." The plain truth is that recidivism in both Canada and the U.S. is an indication that we are not doing well, even though we insist (at least here in Canada) on calling our system "correctional" rather than penal.
Long ago, I played a character in a play called "Fortune and Men's Eyes" by a playwright named John Herbert (not his real name, and someone that I knew) in Toronto. At the end of the show on Tuesday nights, the cast and author entertained questions from the audience, and even back then (this was the 1970's) this question of how well our prisons are working at rehabilitation and correction, rather than merely punitive, and whether this had an effect on our rate of recidivism. The general attitude back then was about the same as it is now, unfortunately, and it wasn't good.
I think, actually, that the statistic is that those who self-identify as Democrats outnumber those who self-identify as Republican. In any case, since you say "for whatever reason," it might be interesting to speculate on that. For example:
What percentage of rich, white felons actually serve prison time (see back to the financial crises of a decade or so ago), and what percentage of that demographic would self-identify as Republican? And again, staying in demographics, what percentage of poor racial minorities get away without a prison sentence, and what percentage of that same demographic would self-identify as Democrat?
Or, just another thought, isn't it likely that one who is incarcerated would be more likely to identify with a political philosophy that at least appears to lean towards the side of mercy, compassion, and rehabilitation?
The reality is that abnormal situations tend to result in abnormal survey results: e.g. the percentage of same-sex participation is much higher in prison, or other segregated populations, than in the general population.
It would be a good PhD thesis.
Shadow Wolf
Certified People sTabber
Mental health patients, especially poor ones, do tend to vote Democrat (typically because they aren't the ones trying to take away their benefits and insurance) (at least in my experience). Impoverished mental health patients also make up a tragic amount of the American jail/prison population.
All the Republican convicts are in the White House.
Twilight Hue
Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
Oooh.. :O)
leibowde84
Veteran Member
Felons who have paid their debt to society should be permitted to vote. I am not a Bernie fan, but I agree with him on this one.
I'm OK with their voting after release from prison.
But while incarcerated, I'm OK with denying them a vote.
Twilight Hue
Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
I agree with that , however people are saying Bernie wants felons to vote while still IN prison.
Audie
Veteran Member
If paying debt includes what it cost the victim, the court and the prison, sure.
Genrrally, paying debt mrans billing society.
I slightly improved your post.