[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by MTVN

Well we have to make a disticntion between adults and children because they are fundamentally different. Children arent allowed the vote because they arent considered to have the ability to make a correct decision, prisoners have it denied just out of a desire for retribution and revenge. Being a prisoner doesnt make you suddenly unable to decide who is best fit to run the government; like Dezzy said it wont suddenly mean the Stabby Stabby Kill Kill party will come into power.

and what about 'adults' who are in no real position to understand what a vote is, what effect is has, or who (through no fault of their own) simply have not (will not ever) reach emotional or intellectual maturity.

What about those adults (not the majority I grant you), that who have no idea what planet they're on, on any given dy, never mind being able to tell you which political party is in government - those who are in the position of the only thing mattering to them is how their are going to get their next fix? (I am talking of those who are seriously in the realms of life threatning drug addiction levels). Those 'adults' for example like the mother of young Baby Alex - a woman who wasn't fit enough to provide basic care for her own flesh and blood....... if she can't make a decision or be responsible on such a basic and rudimentary basis, how are people of that ilk able to be responsible enough to cast a vote over how the country is run? (I know...very very extreme example, but I'm just 'putting it out there) - for the purposes of debate.

Surely stating every human being, then chipping that to stating 'every adult' doesn't solve the problem (or answer the question).

As for the original OP. It's one I have mixed views on - dependant on the type of crime. Murders, rapists, drug dealers.....No I don't think they should be allowed to vote.

But to sweep everyone with that 'in prison rule', also means the poor little pensioner who did nothing wrong all their lives, worked 40 odd years and then fell foul of the law as far as not paying their rates are concerned / refusing to cut down a tree - and all other nature of ludicrious imprisonments. That's where the 'no vote for all prisoners' falls down.

What's the ideal solution? I'm not entirely sure.