why are people who are on government assistance allowed to vote?
962364
An interesting question and opinion!\n\nHowever, folk in mental hospitals usually cannot think for themselves!  Folk in jail are presumed to be criminals and thus, do not think for themselves!\n\nThe rest of your opinion is interesting and deserves more evaluation!  However, by law, they have not commited a crime!  Thus, they should be allowed to vote in an election!\n\nYes, their votes may be tainted, but aren't all of ours?  We want what is best for ourselves, the heck with the rest!  Since when do "we" consider the wellbeing of others?  Okay, now and then, some of us do!  But, all in all, we vote what is best for us, as we come first!\n\nCan you honestly disagree?\n\nJust MHO,\n\nHope this helps,\n\nThe Ol' Sasquatch Ü
439885
Because it is the right thing to do. It is just not right for people to be opressed by their govenment like it is here in the states.
503202
General citizen is having a very specific right in this regard. What they have to do is stand up, elect good leaders who take decision as per public intentions and wish. If you sit in your house on election day and think that others wil vote for he person of your liking then you can just remain mute spectator of all this.
972793
They know the vote isn't valid, since they've been disenfranchising the votes.  The ironic thing is that they actually think challenging the validity of the vote will HELP their count!
261413
they can vote unless they have been convicted of a felony, and then they have no rights until they go through the process of having their civil rights restored which can take years to do sometimes.  However, if they are in jail or prison they would not be able to physically go out and cast a ballot
850094
Because they need our racist help. It's on the governments own help page that if you are illegal, you 'may qualify' for food stamps, health care benefits, etc. But an American who is disabled who can no longer work, with substantial medical bills, can't qualify for many of the same benefits. It's not the illegals that are the problem, it's the way our very own government, handles the problem.
4782
People everywhere cannot be discriminated against when going to vote (for federal positions).  It also provides for equal right to accommodations in restaurants and hotels, as well as provides for equal opportunity for rights to housing.
236316
It's more. You have a _responsibility_ to vote. Voting is the orgasm of democracy. Unfortunately, most citizens can't get it up.
517042
good question!\n\nI live in Canada so it is really bad here, and seeing as such a large number of people are on "assistance" the gov likes to cater to them because it is a big # of votes to lose if they don't.  It was a little problem that is out of control now, and when the unemployed are the majority....it's all over.
792855
That would mean they would know how to work a voting machine.\n\nThis keeps being proven that they can't
173223
One in favor is that it helps people in need.  Some people may need temporary assistance in order to become self sufficient.
229090
Very interesting question, Crappy (sorry for the shorthand). But to tell you the truth, it is already extremely easy for people to vote. If you can't find the time to vote for the people running your town, state, country - I really question your thought process. This is the greatest freedom given to the people of our country. It simply must be exercised. Especially in today's world of no excuse absentee ballots. I have not missed an election on any level since I have turned 18. This includes when I was away at college or working out of town on business. \n\nIn fact, I would go one step further (and will probably get bashed for this thought), but I believe that people should be made to take and pass a test on the candidates and their positoins on several key issues before they are allowed to vote. A bipartison comittee could mail out the answers to the test to the voters and make them available anywhere including the internet, but the important thing would be for people to know where the person they are voting for stands for on the major issues. They can take and retake the test as many times as they want, but I think if people were made to understand the candidates positions on key issues - we would have far more effective people elected and a far more informed populace...
939135
Because we are not legally adults until age 18.  Children are not allowed to vote, thank god.
324611
Because those of us who are law abiding vote.
667541
It is important for people who come into some financial difficulties. Like me I had a son and I could pay my rent, I didn't have money for food. So I went to public assistance. The gave me money $109 a month. Paid for my childcare while I went out and looked for a job. Put me in a program so that I could find a job. Paid a portion of my rent,gave me food stamps. And gave me six months of carfare when I started working. I was on public assistance for one month. And it helped me out alot. I also worked before so I had a right to apply for public assistance and the taxes that they take out of our checks help keeping welfare going. But to our dismay there are alot of peope who scam and make welfare seem like a bad thing and its not. Its there to help you get on your feet. but yet there are alot of people who use welfare as way to live.And its not right. And that makes me mad because there are people out there that really need help and get denied the help that they need.
759373
I think most people can vote. Presumably those over twenty as that seems to be the age of majority here. However, the government is such a bureautic one party system that it doesn't seem like they get much of choice. They more vote for the leader of the party I think.
704315
Yes, because part of the "choice" in a democracy is not to vote for anyone at all. (Although a "none of the above" option on a ballot would suffice for that.)  The problem is that Americans don't believe that they have a duty to vote.