Posted on 11/01/2002 12:17:56 PM PST by Schatze
WASHINGTON — Animal-rights activism is colliding head-on with constitutional tradition with a new proposal to extend voting rights to animals. Supporters of the Voting Rights Act of 2003 say the disenfranchisement of animals is inhumane and gives democracy a bad name. The legislation aims to extend voting rights to animals in time for the 2004 national elections.
The bill is sponsored by Senate Majority leader Tom Daschle (D-Clymer) and House Minority leader Dick Gephardt (D-Wannabe). The two were joined by DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe as they announced plans to introduce the bill after the midterm election.
Asked how the animals would indicate a party preference on their ballot, McAuliffe bristled, responding, "They know who their friends are. We'll take care of that."
Voting rights for animals became illegal in 1885 when the Supreme Court ruled that animals are not US citizens. The judicial decision followed a disputed presidential election where Grover Cleveland became the first US President ever elected from the Democrat Party. Cleveland ’s election was based largely on his receipt of 100% the votes cast by cows residing in the stockyards of Chicago.
Following their failed effort to give prison inmates voting eligibility, the new proposal is part of the Democrat effort to be "inclusive" of all groups that vote for Democrats, and follows the "Dead Voter" program made famous in Chicago, St. Louis, and Indian reservations in South Dakota.
Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott (R-Misscongeniality), who attended the photo-op because he was told it was a memorial service for Barney Frank’s pet gerbil, reacted negatively and walked out of the press conference.
Afterward, Lott said that while most GOP senators would oppose the measure he would support a compromise limiting voting rights to household pets.
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