Regarding the letter, “Democrats led us to crossroads”: Our country has been at crossroads many times in its history: the fight for independence, the Articles of Confederation, slavery, states’ rights and the Civil War, the fight for a civil service and against special interests, two world wars, just to name a few.
The letter writer is correct to say that Democrats, Southern Democrats, led us to a crossroads when they successfully denied citizens the right to vote with Jim Crow regulations. A civil rights set of legislation passed with bipartisan support in the 1960s negated those regulations. Now Republicans want to turn the clock back. Virtually none of the county clerks in the country say there is a problem with voter fraud. Yet Republicans want to make voting more difficult for the poor and the elderly: those most likely not to have picture identification. It is safe to say that these same Republicans are not willing to raise taxes in order to fund programs helping people obtain picture identification.
How often do we read about our country having the most citizens in prison of any advanced industrialized country? Yes, those convicted of felony offenses need to serve their time. They also need to live once they are released. I, for one, would prefer that they do so without government assistance. For this to happen they need a voice in the laws that govern their lives. They need to have a government with representation. I applaud Gov. McAuliffe’s decision to reinstate the voting rights of felons who have served their time.
Mike Molly
Edmonds
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