Why Can't I Vote?

'Cause Your Retarded.

Published on October 27, 2004 By SameOldRat In Politics

I work at a home with adults that have physical and mental developmental disabailities. Today during a routine staff meeting the topic of voting was brought up and I was astonished to hear that out of 40 or so residents, only 12 have the right to vote. As the meeting slowly rolled on, and I drifted farthe into a sleepy state, this really started bugging me. As anyone who has ever been friends with people of similar nature know, although by typical standards the clients are labeled as MR, they are far from being stupid, let alone not being able to make an informed decision. The people that I work with are just as effeceted by this election as anyone else who walks this world and I believe more so. Should they not have the right to vote. The government is responsible for the level of care they recieve, the wages of the people that work with them, the food they eat, the insurance they use, and most everything that goes on in their lives. How can they not have a say in who is making these choices for them. They do not have the right to vote! It is still hard for me to comprehend. Voting is something fought for, died for, sacrificed for. We have fought for many years for the right of everyone to cast their vote and I find out to day that there are people out there still opressed by a label. At one point it was poor people, black people, and women. I am ashamed that our society does not let my friends vote. We move forward so much, but still not enough to make everyone equal.

Comments (Page 1)

philomedy

on Oct 27, 2004

What exactly is different between the 12 with the right to vote and the rest that don't have that right?

SameOldRat

on Oct 28, 2004

The difference between the 12 that have the right to vote and the others that don't is strictly based of guardianship issues. What the difference and why they don't have the right I am not sure.

drmiler

on Oct 28, 2004

Reply #2 By: SameOldRat - 10/28/2004 5:42:58 PM
The difference between the 12 that have the right to vote and the others that don't is strictly based of guardianship issues. What the difference and why they don't have the right I am not sure.

If it's a guardianship issue that means they were judged incompetent of handling their own affairs and "someone" was appointed as guardian over them or given "guardianship" over those in question. And *that* is the reason they can't vote. Someone that has been judged incompetent to handle their own affairs shouldn't be allowed to vote.

LeapingLizard

on Oct 28, 2004

drmiler,
Then the guardian of that person should be able to cast a vote for that person. Their guardians do everything else for them, why can't they do the voting as well? Maybe that isn't the best solution, but something should be done to make sure that these people's voices are being heard. They are some of the neediest people, especially when considering the amount of government assistance they recieve each year. They are still people, and they are still adults. They have needs. They should be heard, even if it is through another person.

drmiler

on Oct 28, 2004

Reply #4 By: LeapingLizard - 10/28/2004 7:53:23 PM
drmiler,
Then the guardian of that person should be able to cast a vote for that person. Their guardians do everything else for them, why can't they do the voting as well?

Because in effect the "same" person would be voting twice. Ain't happening.

dharmagrl

on Oct 28, 2004

Their guardians do everything else for them, why can't they do the voting as well?

Because who's to say that the guardian would vote for the person's choice? They've been appointed to manage the person's affairs because the person has been deemed incompetent; mentally unable to take care of such things themselves. If the guardian, who's supposed to act in the person's best interests, feels that the person is making the wrong choice with their vote....d'ya see where I'm going with this?

Also, if you argue that the right to vote should be given to adults who are legally incompetent...then I think you have to consider children eligible too.

SameOldRat

on Oct 28, 2004

Also, if you argue that the right to vote should be given to adults who are legally incompetent

That is the whole point that I am trying to make. These people are labeled on rules that were set up long ago. Many of them are eldery as well as suffering from developmental disabilities. There rights have been taken away, not given away by themselves. Anyone who thinks that these people are incompetent are incompetent themselves.

drmiler

on Oct 28, 2004

Reply #7 By: SameOldRat - 10/28/2004 9:07:20 PM
Also, if you argue that the right to vote should be given to adults who are legally incompetent

That is the whole point that I am trying to make. These people are labeled on rules that were set up long ago. Many of them are eldery as well as suffering from developmental disabilities. There rights have been taken away, not given away by themselves. Anyone who thinks that these people are incompetent are incompetent themselves.

You obviously don't know spit! If they are not mentally capable of thinking for themselves Then WHY in God's name should they be able to vote? Argue with the courts!

stevendedalus

on Oct 28, 2004

then I think you have to consider children eligible too.

fair enough;)

If the guardian, who's supposed to act in the person's best interests, feels that the person is making the wrong choice with their vote....

I agree, but at the same time: how is it a power of attorney can make other decisions?

drmiler

on Oct 29, 2004

Reply #9 By: stevendedalus - 10/28/2004 11:19:34 PM
then I think you have to consider children eligible too.
fair enough;)If the guardian, who's supposed to act in the person's best interests, feels that the person is making the wrong choice with their vote....
I agree, but at the same time: how is it a power of attorney can make other decisions?

Because with a power of attorney it is given *by* the person to another. Not granted by a court. POA means you have to be of "sound" mind in the first place, because you have figure out what powers you will give to the other. But even so you cannot give POA over your vote.

Suspeckted

on Oct 29, 2004

interesting topic and I'm not really sure how I feel about this one. Can alzheimiers (sp?) patients vote? Or where else is a cut off made making someone incompetent to vote. Clearly many mentally handicapped people may be much more informed to vote than other so-called competent people in our nation.

drmiler

on Oct 29, 2004

Reply #11 By: Suspeckted - 10/29/2004 10:34:29 AM
interesting topic and I'm not really sure how I feel about this one. Can alzheimiers (sp?) patients vote? Or where else is a cut off made making someone incompetent to vote.

The cut off is made by the courts. And courts alone may judge someone incompetent.

LeapingLizard

on Oct 29, 2004

Because who's to say that the guardian would vote for the person's choice?

Well, yeah. But who's to say anything about anything that these people do. For all we know, a guardian could let someone in their care die, abuse them, etc. Guardians have the responsibility fo taking care of things in the best interest of those they guard. Whether or not they really do this is never clear, but nevertheless, it's their responsibility in every other facet of another person's life. Why should it stop at casting a vote?

Then WHY in God's name should they be able to vote?

Becasue they are affected by the decisions made by the government. Someone needs to make sure that their interests are being met, whether it be themselves, or someone acting in their best interests. And again, if that person chooses to be dishonorable and abuse there power, then shame on them, but that's life. It happens all the time, and the solution isn't just to take away the right for a vote to be cast.

You obviously don't know spit!

How do you know what he knows? I can't stand insults like this that get thrown all around JU.

LeapingLizard

on Oct 29, 2004

Somethings up with the formatting...not sure what the deal is. Sorry about the confusing quoting!

ll

drmiler

on Oct 29, 2004

Reply #13 By: LeapingLizard - 10/29/2004 6:16:03 PM
Because who's to say that the guardian would vote for the person's choice?

Well, yeah. But who's to say anything about anything that these people do. For all we know, a guardian could let someone in their care die, abuse them, etc. Guardians have the responsibility fo taking care of things in the best interest of those they guard. Whether or not they really do this is never clear, but nevertheless, it's their responsibility in every other facet of another person's life. Why should it stop at casting a vote?

Then WHY in God's name should they be able to vote?

Becasue they are affected by the decisions made by the government. Someone needs to make sure that their interests are being met, whether it be themselves, or someone acting in their best interests. And again, if that person chooses to be dishonorable and abuse there power, then shame on them, but that's life. It happens all the time, and the solution isn't just to take away the right for a vote to be cast.

Because they are mentally incapable of doing it for themselves and what your talking (having someone do it for them) about is NOT allowed by LAW!

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