It has become so common that it doesn’t seem worth
mentioning anymore how repugnant many Republican Party members of the Virginia
House of Delegate are. In this latest act of “How Ridiculous Are We?,”
Republicans in the House defeated a bill that was championed by Virginia’s own Republican
governor that would automatically restore the civic rights of nonviolent felons
after they completed their sentences.[1]
The bill was actually defeated in a subcommittee of the
House even after both Bob McDonnell and Republican all-star Attorney General
Ken Cuccinelli testified in support of the bill. McDonnell commented, “I
believe strongly, as a matter of conscience, in protecting the constitutional
rights of our citizens.”[2]
If this is true, what does it say about those subcommittee members who voted
against the bill, do they not care about the constitutional rights of Virginia
citizens?
Cuccinelli also threw a jab in, claiming that he would “continue
to keep up the fight on this important issue.”[3]
This issue is important, and it’s important because people
do make mistakes, believe it or not. But one wrong decision shouldn’t strip the
individual of their constitutional rights for the rest of their lives if the ‘offense’
is nonviolent.
One fact alone is telling: Kentucky and Virginia are the
only states in the country that permanently take away the civic rights of
felons. Not to pick on Kentucky but it’s usually never a good thing when
similarities are drawn before one state and Kentucky.
I don’t know what pre-historic cave many of these Republican
lawmakers in the House walked out of, but it’s time to accept that some of
Virginia’s old habits just don’t stand up to reason and therefore need to be changed.
If we do so, Virginia won’t turn into a cesspool of crime, immorality, disaffection,
etc. Virginia will still be an enjoyable place to live; in fact it will be a
more enjoyable place to live with justice shining down more firmly on its
citizens.
Moreover, the idea of
individual responsibility won’t erode if individuals are given A SECOND CHANCE.
Not many people will say, oh well, I do get a second chance, let me go ahead
sell this or that drug to this or that person, or whatever the case may be. No,
individual responsibility will still remain a strong virtue in Virginia, but
alongside this virtue will also be a greater deal of justice. Isn’t that a goal
worth striving for?
As usual, the House GOP has become the party of “No,” even
if most Virginians are saying “Yes.”
[1] http://www2.wsls.com/news/2013/jan/14/5/house-delegates-subcommittee-rejects-habeeb-felons-ar-2465531/
[2] http://www2.wsls.com/news/2013/jan/14/5/house-delegates-subcommittee-rejects-habeeb-felons-ar-2465531/
[3] http://www2.wsls.com/news/2013/jan/14/5/house-delegates-subcommittee-rejects-habeeb-felons-ar-2465531/
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