Posted on 06/19/2008 10:10:22 AM PDT by kingattax
A new state rule in Florida calls for more than 115,000 former felons who complete their sentences to be given back their civil rights, including the right to vote, hold public office, serve on a jury, and obtain state and local licenses for certain types of work.
The rule by the state’s Board of Executive Clemency ends a policy that, until now, required a panel to act individually on every restoration of rights requests.
Florida Governor Charlie Crist – attending a two-day summit of state officials, lawmakers, community activists, prison ministers and others brainstorming ideas for keeping former inmates from returning to crime after they are freed – says the decision to restore civil rights to ex-felons is based on fairness and being a part of a democratic society.
"Once somebody has truly paid their debt to society, we should recognize it," explains Crist, a Republican who had initially pushed for a broader clemency program.
“We should welcome them back into society and give them that second chance,” he told a crowd of law enforcement officials and advocates for prisoners’ rights in Tallahassee. “Who doesn't deserve a second chance?"
(Excerpt) Read more at newsmax.com ...
Quaint, 115,000 Obama voters.
The problem with felons is that the majority have more than one offense.
Fair enough. Probably adds more Dems to the rolls, but that’s not the point.
Fair enough. Probably adds more Dems to the rolls, but that’s not the point.
I didn’t know that Florida had a RAT governor.
If the debt is paid, the collateral held is returned.
Part of the debt to society is relinquishing those rights. So by having the rights restored, that means that the debt hasn’t been repaid and nver will be.
Florida goes to obama.
>>”Once somebody has truly paid their debt to society, we should recognize it,” explains Crist, a Republican who had initially pushed for a broader clemency program.
From the article:
The change doesn’t include the right to have a gun, which still isn’t restored automatically for people with felony convictions.
If they can’t be trusted with a gun, they can’t be trusted with a vote. This is obviously less about giving people a second chance than about padding the voter lists with Obama supporters.
Don't we have enough felons holding public office already? /semisarc
And I surely hope this doesn't apply to all felonious crimes but only the lesser evils.
Confidential to governor suntan: they won't vote Republican out of gratitude, they'll vote RAT for the victimhood designation. Nice move, you idiot.
Sure looks like Florida is going firmly into the (D) column.
With the geriatric vote and the ex-con vote, hussein has it all sewn up.
“Once somebody has truly paid their debt to society, we should recognize it,” explains Crist, a Republican who had initially pushed for a broader clemency program.”
Does Crist realize that criminals in general are overwhelmingly Democrats? (and not just the ones that hold elected office)
It’s not like they weren’t already voting, even if they didn’t know it.
you said it.
well, at least 115,000 times in the next couple of days gun dealers will be happy I guess.
"State Corrections Secretary Jim McDonough says the agency will do what it can to find individuals through system records to tell them they now can have their rights restored quickly and easily."
We'll have to wait and see what he can do.
Crap, my tagline comes back to haunt again....
Yes, the Democrats need the Criminals to help them win in Fla.
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