An ethical dilemma.

[Ishmael]

A friends g/f has a child aged 33 who has the mental capacity of a 5-12 year old, depending on what is being tested. Needless to say he lives in a group home under supervised care.

In 2008 his group home supervisor took him, and all his peers, down and registered them to vote, and vote they did. The entire group voted for Obama.

He has now come to the conclusion that he was wrong and now wants to re-register as republican and vote for the republican candidate no matter who that turns out to be.

The obvious problem is that this individual shouldn't be allowed anywhere near a voting booth. The other is that he's been exposed to outside adult influence that has caused him to change his mind.

The dilemma is should he be allowed to vote or not?

Ishmael

 

[Saint Peter]

If he is a citizen he should be able to vote.

Who are you and I to tell him differently?

 

[JohnnySausage]

Does he pay taxes?

 

[TexasWife25]

A friends g/f has a child aged 33 who has the mental capacity of a 5-12 year old, depending on what is being tested. Needless to say he lives in a group home under supervised care.

In 2008 his group home supervisor took him, and all his peers, down and registered them to vote, and vote they did. The entire group voted for Obama.

He has now come to the conclusion that he was wrong and now wants to re-register as republican and vote for the republican candidate no matter who that turns out to be.

The obvious problem is that this individual shouldn't be allowed anywhere near a voting booth. The other is that he's been exposed to outside adult influence that has caused him to change his mind.

The dilemma is should he be allowed to vote or not?

Ishmael

I don't think those who have been deemed by the state to be mentally
incompetent, should be allowed to vote.

 

[Saint Peter]

Republicans are mentally incompetent. So are homosexuals. So are hockey players.

Where does it end?


Let the guy vote.

 

[Ishmael]

Does he pay taxes?

Are you kidding?

Ishmael

 

[JBCorbell]

My guess is that he was influenced the first time as well, if your description of the situation is accurate.

Therefore, if you believe the statement at the bottom of your post, he should be allowed to correct his "mistake".

As to being allowed to vote in general, he's of age, therefore he can vote. My guess is that he shows about the level of intelligence of any number of the people who post on this board.

 

[TexasWife25]

Republicans are mentally incompetent. So are homosexuals. So are hockey players.

Where does it end?


Let the guy vote.

LOL

well, we dont let children vote

I think I should be allowed to register my baby..
I bet she could figure out how to work a voting booth

 

[subwannabe]

Don't really understand your question. There are many here on this site who try to use their influence to change other's minds and I guess they think that is ok. If you really look at it candidates, their pacs, their campaigns, and their followers are trying to change other's minds. I don't think this person should have been allowed to vote in the first place but, since they did, what difference does it make now? Maybe this person is smarter than you think if they have put some thought into it and decided to change their mind. Unfortunately there isn't an IQ test before voting. I wish there was because they are a lot of people who vote that are just downright stupid. Some don't even know who we fought to get our independance or who won the civil war. I once knew a girl who graduated high school who didn't even know those things or that our civil war was fought between the North and the South. Very scarey that people like this are allowed to vote.

 

[Ishmael]

My guess is that he was influenced the first time as well, if your description of the situation is accurate.

Therefore, if you believe the statement at the bottom of your post, he should be allowed to correct his "mistake".

As to being allowed to vote in general, he's of age, therefore he can vote. My guess is that he shows about the level of intelligence of any number of the people who post on this board.

That is one rationalization. The thought being that after the 'mistake' is corrected that he should not be allowed to vote again.

Another poster addressed the fact that he should have never been allowed to vote to begin with. He's living in a state sanctioned, and funded, group home for the mentally impaired. ipso facto he's incompetent.

Ishmael

 

[neci]

just because someone is mentally disabled does not mean that they lack the capacity to vote. many mentally disabled people have a clear idea of who they want to vote for. if the mother is concerned, she should either petition a court to remove his voting rights, or pick him up on voting day and accompany him herself. as one of the most vulnerable in society, he has a right to be heard.

 

[hotdamnazgirl]

Legally developmentally disabled individuals can vote. Ethically, they can not be denied that right. I hear what you are saying about them being influenced by others and it does seem unfair that others can "use" developmentally disabled individuals to get more votes for their candidate; however, look at how many people vote a certain way because their spouse/partner/parent/pastor/etc influences them. Unfortunately having the ability or willingness to think things through rationally and make an independent choice is not a prerequisite for voting.

 

[Colonel Hogan]

Of what substantive difference is there between him and people who are arguably NOT mentally challenged and who have voted straight party tickets their entire frigging lives?

How about all those people who thought Obama was going to pay their utility bills?

Hell, we've got incumbents who have the IQ of rotting produce.

 

[phrodeau]

(edited)
He has now come to the conclusion that he was wrong...

Ishmael

What did you tell him?

 

[Ishmael]

Don't really understand your question. There are many here on this site who try to use their influence to change other's minds and I guess they think that is ok. If you really look at it candidates, their pacs, their campaigns, and their followers are trying to change other's minds. I don't think this person should have been allowed to vote in the first place but, since they did, what difference does it make now? Maybe this person is smarter than you think if they have put some thought into it and decided to change their mind. Unfortunately there isn't an IQ test before voting. I wish there was because they are a lot of people who vote that are just downright stupid. Some don't even know who we fought to get our independance or who won the civil war. I once knew a girl who graduated high school who didn't even know those things or that our civil war was fought between the North and the South. Very scarey that people like this are allowed to vote.

Hmmm, apparently you missed the issue here. Should those mentally stuck in the sub-teens be allowed to vote?

I readily understand that there are those that through their own inattention qualify to be in that category, but at least they have the option to get out. This individual doesn't, and never will, have that opportunity.

And no, this person is NOT smarter than I think he is. I've met and interacted with him. He does have certain 'idiot savant' capabilities, think "Rain Man." But rest assured, national politics is not one of those gifts.

Ishmael

 

[JBCorbell]

That is one rationalization. The thought being that after the 'mistake' is corrected that he should not be allowed to vote again.

Another poster addressed the fact that he should have never been allowed to vote to begin with. He's living in a state sanctioned, and funded, group home for the mentally impaired. ipso facto he's incompetent.

Ishmael

According to this.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voting_rights_in_the_United_States ... he qualifies.

You are discriminating against him.

 

[coastal-boy]

If they allow Ish to vote, then anyone should be allowed to vote.

 

[JBCorbell]

If they allow Ish to vote, then anyone should be allowed to vote.

My point exactly.

 

[Ishmael]

Of what substantive difference is there between him and people who are arguably NOT mentally challenged and who have voted straight party tickets their entire frigging lives?

How about all those people who thought Obama was going to pay their utility bills?

Hell, we've got incumbents who have the IQ of rotting produce.

I think I addressed that point, a valid point at that.

He is a child in every way except chronological age. Malleable, easily lead and manipulated. And I will concede that that doesn't entirely address your argument, the salient point is that those you speak of have the ability to correct their behavior, he doesn't.

Ishmael

 

[dohbuoy]

Taking away voting rights from any group would set a dangerous precedent. Who is next to loose it?

Once you have voted, it is done, you can't go back anyway other than to vote differently next time, or try and force a recall/impeachment process or whatever means a particular political office requires for removal.

As for intelligence levels and its relevance for voting, some very smart people have use intelligence to do some awfully nasty stuff.

 

[JBCorbell]

I think I addressed that point, a valid point at that.

He is a child in every way except chronological age. Malleable, easily lead and manipulated. And I will concede that that doesn't entirely address your argument, the salient point is that those you speak of have the ability to correct their behavior, he doesn't.

Ishmael

Your definition could apply to any Republican.

 

[Ishmael]

According to this.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voting_rights_in_the_United_States ... he qualifies.

You are discriminating against him.

What are you, stupid? Of course it was legal, if not he never could have registered, or voted, to begin with.

Perhaps you missed the point that the group home supervisor registered him, and all his 'peers' and then supervised the voting (they needed help ya know?).

Legality is NOT the discussion here.

Ishmael

 

[coastal-boy]

Legality is NOT the discussion here.

Ishmael

Typical Republican response

 

[Ishmael]

Taking away voting rights from any group would set a dangerous precedent. Who is next to loose it?

Once you have voted, it is done, you can't go back anyway other than to vote differently next time, or try and force a recall/impeachment process or whatever means a particular political office requires for removal.

As for intelligence levels and its relevance for voting, some very smart people have use intelligence to do some awfully nasty stuff.

Then you are making an argument that all right leaning folks should make a concerted effort to induce the mentally disabled to vote in their direction. OK

Ishmael

 

[GracefullyYours]

I think it would be unlawful for him to receive any sort of "help" that's not already extended to voters with physical disabilities. The fact that a group home supervisor "rounded them all up" and had them vote raises questions for me about whether his/their ballots were both 1) personal and 2) secret as defined by our Bill of Rights.

I think the real issue is whether we as a society are accommodating his expressed wish to exercise his right to vote or whether we're suggesting, urging, or even using him outright. Where exactly that line is....I'm honestly not sure. As far as changing his vote goes....I know of no legal precedent where anyone of a non-disabled status was allowed to change his/her vote.