27 Mar Should a politician, who has been formerly convicted of a crime, be allowed to run for office?
“The U.S. Constitution does not restrict convicted felons from holding the office of the President or a seat in the Senate or House of Representatives. States may bar convicted felon candidates from securing statewide and local offices.
Those in favor believe that convicted felons after their sentence should be treated like any ordinary citizen and should be allowed to participate in politics. Opponents argue that convicted felons have broken a social contract and hence should be barred to hold a position of influence in a democratic setup.
What are your thoughts? Should a politician, who has been formerly convicted of a crime, be allowed to run for office?
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Today is the day. Now is the moment. Vote for change.
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Should a politician, who has been formerly convicted of a crime, be allowed to run for office?
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Yes -
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Can’t Say
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Douglas T Johnson
Posted at 22:00h, 27 MarchThey certainly should be able to run if they are qualified for the position they are seeking. Way too many comments here by those who think they are so righteous. Not everything is black & white and that includes court proceedings. Many convicted of crimes were merely unable to afford to defend themselves and took a plea under duress.
Rick martin
Posted at 18:18h, 27 NovemberWhy not turn the fox loose in the hen house ? Or give a convicted felon your checking account number ? If you cannot trust the candidate , do you really want him given the nuclear password and the power to use it ? Let him run in Argentina where he would fit right in, but not in my country !!!
g.r.k.
Posted at 22:50h, 13 FebruaryNo, as a general rule, especially if the violation occured while in office. But there could be exemptions, unless of course your name is Trump, then never ever.
Dave Mason
Posted at 04:48h, 03 FebruaryObviously, it would be better if (for a random example) a rich man guilty of fraud, tax evasion, emoluments violations and inciting insurrection was barred from running for office. However, the precedent could be used by a party in power to falsely prosecute a key political opponent and then hold that they cannot compete again due to their conviction. (look into foreign precedent in Brazil and domestic precedent in Alabama).
Alan coderre
Posted at 16:26h, 27 JanuarySo one we could consider why bother taking the oath when you no intention of living up to it,Second who would vote for someone who has lied over 3000 lies and that is not to mention all decades of outright deception cheating and the list is endless .now tell me how can this individual inspire confidence. reliability? Must one assume that it is mithout consequence,to betray one’s pledge if so why take it in the first place ? Third would you buy a used car from this person ? Well apparantly 7 odd million Americans would and will even if It’s not Donnie boy . Statistics don’t lie,thus revealling that one point three Americans are dim witted,sorry but I have to bring it up
Robert C Umfress 2
Posted at 12:36h, 26 JanuaryReading when I was 19 I was an autistic child that was living in the streets and my friend got me pulled up and drunk and I just signed up for the army and he talked me into Robin and gas station all I did was walk in and ask him for the money and they gave it to me even though I had a BB gun in my pocket the prosecution who had just went to the state and had the prosecutors pay raise came back to his hometown and became the prosecutor and prosecuted me to the fullest extent 10 years for armed robbery and ACA and I went did the best I could with the hand I was dealt and spent my time bringing unity inside of the prison I had a poker table and working food service and did tattoos and I’ve been out for over 10 years and worked several different jobs cut firewood worked the sawmills worked as a CNC operator I’m a licensed tattoo artist and I think that if it was necessary for me to be president I think I would continue to give the shirt off my back and all the love out of my heart to bring peace and unity among civilized human beings and try to make a better future for the children to inherit this Earth God bless everyone in Jesus name I pray oh yeah and I’m an ordained minister
Andrew Kovacik
Posted at 09:12h, 22 JanuaryDefinitely Yes…. depending on the persons’ crime committed and what said person has done with their time since being convicted! Was it a violent crime, or was it just for possession of a controlled substance? Why should
Greg
Posted at 11:28h, 17 JanuaryAnybody who has the right mind set to make this country better and adding more jobs felon and especially the person with the felon is a changed person I say give him or her a chance to run for office change is good for everyone
Lisa Mags
Posted at 16:54h, 11 JanuaryComplicated, but i think if you would be allowed to vote in the state, you should be able to be on the ballot. If the crime would prohibit you from voting in the state you should be able to run or be in the ballot in that state.
Tracy Grooms
Posted at 03:52h, 08 JanuaryAbsolutely not, it shows lack of integrity and character. Distrust is not a virtue for public office. This should be ratified immediately
Kenneth Williams
Posted at 08:31h, 27 DecemberIt would depend on the crime. In my opinion, a major felony conviction a would automatically disqualify a potential candidate.
Actually, it is not a good idea to have any office, that may require a high level security clearance, to be open to anyone convicted of anything other than a mistmenor.
Richard Weiss
Posted at 18:14h, 16 DecemberDefinitely no.