Elections Canada has set up polling stations at federal
prisons across the country so that more than 22,000 eligible voters who are
incarcerated can vote. Of course this is being done at great expense to the
taxpayer – you and me. Why are convicted criminals allowed the privilege accorded a
civilized society – the right to vote?
In 2002, the Supreme Court ruled five to four that denying
the federal vote to prisoners serving more than two years violated the Charter
of Rights and Freedoms. Why do convicted serial killers like Paul Bernardo and
Clifford Olson have any rights and freedoms at all?
Murder is an inherently evil
act, no matter what the circumstances, no matter how convincing the
rationalizations.
BENTLEY LITTLE, The Ignored
If you commit murder beyond
a shadow of a doubt, shouldn’t you forfeit all rights and freedoms? Why isn’t
the Supreme Court more concerned with victims’ rights and freedoms? The
victims whose lives have been cut short no longer have any rights and freedoms.
Convicted murders should not be a part of any democratic process and I
strenuously resent that my tax dollars are being spent on this folly.
It may amuse you to know that Donald Sutherland and his wife
Francine Racette are not allowed to vote in Canada in spite of the fact that
they are Canadian citizens, carry only Canadian passports and maintain a family
home in Canada. Mr. Sutherland has been the recipient of the Order of Canada, the
Governor General's Performing Arts Award and has a star on Canada's Walk of
Fame – surely an acknowledgement that he is Canadian. Still Mr. Sutherland is
considered an ex-pat because he does maintain a home in the U.S. and spends a
considerable amount of time there. Although he is proudly Canadian, he can't
vote in Canadian elections but Paul Bernardo and Clifford Olson can. Boggles
the mind, doesn’t it?
If 22,000 criminals can have their voices heard, make sure
yours is too. Get out and vote.
If you don’t vote you lose your right to complain.
Anonymous
Make someone smile today.
Geri
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