Posted on 12/15/2021 9:12:57 AM PST by Fester Chugabrew
Where the hell are you from that you think voting is a privilege and not a right? You’re certainly not from the United States with that attitude. At least I hope you’re not an American. Where are you from, China?
It simply stands as fact that there is a difference between rights and privileges. Were it not so, everyone would be able to vote anywhere, anytime without restriction of any kind. We already have age and location restrictions for voting.
China? Are you kidding? If we were in China this conversation would not be permitted.
Since you obviously either cut class during civics or else you failed it here’s a primer on the right to vote in the United States:
1. The right to vote initially was limited to white landowners for the principle reason that they paid property taxes which funded government. The thinking that people who had no stake in government should not have a voice in it.
2. The 15th Amendment specifically states: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude”
The right to vote then being explicitly codified as a right afforded to all citizens.
3. Citing the authority specifically delegated to Congress in the 15th Amendment Congress in 1965 passed the Voting Rights Act. Nowhere in that law is suffrage or franchise referred to as a privilege.
4. The 19th Amendment again specifically reinforced: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.”
Again, the right to vote is clearly defined.
5. The 26th Amendment also concurred and states: “The right of citizens of the United States, who are 18 years of age or older, to vote, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of age.”
So if you don’t mind I’d appreciate it if you uphold and defend the Constitution and the rights it protects instead of carrying water for the damned Marxists and statists who smile every time you dismiss nearly 250 years of the right to vote being established as a RIGHT and not as a revocable privilege issued to us by our munificent rulers.
Thank you for the copius notes which in no way indicate prohibitions from voting based on overall competence. Your references are careless in their use of the word “right,” and your attitude points to carelessness in exercising the privilege of voting.
The simplest definition of a “right” is this: “a right is available to all citizens while privilege is granted to individuals and groups on the basis of their status, rank, title or membership in a group.”
Guess what? You must be of a particular age, must live in a particular place, and be a citizen of the USA to vote. That makes voting a privilege, just like legally driving a vehicle on public roads.
Another simple reference:
In modern democratic states, a privilege is conditional and granted only after birth. By contrast, a right is an inherent, irrevocable entitlement held by all citizens or all human beings from the moment of birth. Various examples of old common law privilege still exist, to title deeds, for example.
Here a link to article that digs into the subject more deeply:
I reckon you may continue to bray like a jackass over the matter. The fact is each state is free to establish reasonable restrictions on voting, which is precisely why this petition is aimed at Indiana voters.
I’m citing the Constitution. Nice to know you think it’s an invalid source. Jackass.
Since you have a hard time distinguishing the difference between a right and a privilege allow me to illustrate:
You have a right to defend yourself.
I do not have a right to punch you in the face for thinking our constitution is misinformed.
But it would be a privilege.
Haha! No need to get so upset over attempts to educate the citizenry. The right to defend myself is sure and certain in any case. The privilege of voting, in case you have not noticed, has certain restrictions.
As if the right to self defense is not under assault by government.
Ask Kyle Rittenhouse about that.
In any case, voting is an established right and the perceived restrictions generally enhance and assert the right. Restricting foreigners from voting protects and enhances the voting rights of citizens.
Also, glad you have a sense of humor!
This post has nothing to do with the right to self defense, which indeed is a right. It has everything to do with improving the exercise of voting privileges. Am I to understand you want every tom dick and harry dumbass to rule your life? That, essentially, is what you wish by opposing informed voters.
I don’t oppose informed voters. But that’s up to the individual to make an informed decision. We can provide information to people and hope they make an informed decision but if they ignore the info they still have a right to vote anyway.
Bottom line here is there is no way in Hell that literacy tests as a precondition for voting will come back to the USA. They’re gone for good.
As to your quaint notion that voting is a mere privilege and not a right that was secured by killing a bunch of British soldiers and in two successive wars...well, it’s a nonstarter. You may as well scream it to the sky because the overwhelming majority of people in this country see voting as a fundamental right.
It is not a literary test. It is more, and there is nothing illegal about it.
There are multiple court rulings and Federal laws prohibiting what you’re proposing. So do you propose a Constitutional amendment to get your idea to pass muster?
Court rulings thus far have been based on select applications related to improper/illegal discrimination. This would be universal within the State of Indiana. Drivers tests are not illegal. Voting tests are not either.
Well, good luck.
An excellent idea! Should be applied in all the states.
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