Fortunately, there are a number of excellent cartoonists. One of the best is Paul Conrad. This 1999 (I think that's what it says) cartoon really captures how I feel about immigration. Were the passengers on the Mayflower 'legal'? With the right sophistry you could make the argument they were. But I just don't see any way to logically draw the line about which illegals should go home. The same arguments we hear today in the fashion of their day - whether about Italians, Irish, Eastern Europeans, Chinese - were said from the beginning. And the basic argument about which immigrants to keep out boils down to "well, those who arrived later than when my family." Did you know that in the late 1800's and early 1900's you didn't even have to have US citizenship to vote? That's how the big city political machines in Boston and New York were able to organize the immigrants. The US Constitution didn't set the rules for who can vote, that is left up to each state. Women were not precluded from voting in the Constitution, only by the states.Section. 4.
The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators.
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.
In fact:
A Boston city councilor wants the city to allow legal immigrants to vote in municipal elections, a move that could increase the number of eligible voters in the city by as much as a third and dramatically alter the city's political landscape.I'm sure that will get some people riled up. That's not my intent. Rather, I just want people to think beyond their normal thought neighborhoods. If we really believe in democracy, then people who are affected by the policies should have a right to vote for the leaders. Is it fair that only Americans can vote for the President of the US when that office affects so much of the rest of the world? No, I'm not advocating this, but it is something to think about.
A measure by Councilor at Large Felix D . Arroyo, supported by four other council members, would extend voting rights to about 95,000 immigrant residents who live in the country legally but are not citizen
[Update September 4, 2010: Paul Conrad died today at age 86. We'll miss your wit and ability to capture truth in a few words and lines of ink.]
What is the law on convicted prisoners who've served their time, going to the polls?
ReplyDeleteAnon, as I said in the post, each state makes its own rules. Some allow convicted felons to vote, others don't. From the Alaska Division of Elections website:
ReplyDelete"If you have been convicted of a felony, you may still be eligible to register to vote if you have been unconditionally discharged. Provide a copy of your discharge papers with this registration application."
My Great x11 grandfather, Nicholas Munger was an illegal immigrant. He lied about his religion - he was a dissenter - to get into Connecticut from Portsmouth, England.
ReplyDeleteThank god you missed out mention of the Scots. Chuck you all out and give the land back to the aboriginal peoples I say.
ReplyDeleteWell almost great in theory but unfortunately inpractical in this day and age.. although you never know ;)Have they/you given Manhattan back yet? That would set the cat among the pigeons.
I see this comment page now opens in a separate window what are people like me meant to do that can't smell oops spell with out a smell check?