As Bernie Sanders Says 'No Apologies' for His Position, 70+ Groups Back Call

[JHan]

62. It's not a popular idea..

But I do agree with him on this. I don't get the fear either, what platform will an especially vicious criminal vote for? Is that the concern?

The right to vote is fundamental, and incarceration should not strip that right. Voting is fundamental to democracy, prisoners still retain constitutional rights even in jail.

This is why the focus ought to be on democracy and rights. And this is where I think Sanders erred in the way he communicated it - by citing the Boston bomber - because it launched a million memes which missed the point and gave Fox News fodder. Another angle he could have used is the way prison populations are used in the drawing up of legislative districts while being denied a fundamental right.

But he is absolutely correct. Once you put limitations on who can and cannot vote - a basic right of every citizen - you can justify preventing even ex felons voting and more, and that's how it becomes a "slippery slope"