Barring those under felony indictment from running for office could help maintain public confidence in the integrity of elected officials and the political process.
It sets a higher standard for candidates, emphasizing that those seeking public office should not be facing serious criminal charges.
It underscores the expectation that public officials should be free from wrongdoing and suspicion of significant criminal activity, cultivating a political environment where ethical behavior is prioritized.
Reducing corruption and preventing distractions
Individuals under felony indictment may be more susceptible to engaging in corrupt activities. Preventing them from running for office reduces the likelihood of corrupt practices infiltrating government.
Legal battles can be time-consuming and distracting, detracting from a candidate’s ability to focus on campaigning and, if elected, governing effectively.
If an elected official is convicted of a felony while in office, it could lead to their removal, necessitating a special election and causing disruption and additional costs.
If an elected official is convicted of a felony while in office, that individual may use the office itself to avoid sentencing outcomes.
Maintaining national security
[While I am less than thrilled to include this one, ] Allowing individuals under felony indictment to run for office could pose national security risks, especially if their past actions have compromised national security.
Individuals under the influence of external and independent nations may have resources beyond the intended scope of our elections process, giving them an artificial boost towards victory. This is akin to a complete capture of our Government in the case of the Office of the Presidency. Or near enough.
Cons:
Presumption of innocence and potential for political manipulation
In the U.S. legal system, individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Preventing those under indictment from running could be seen as undermining this principle by imposing a penalty based on an unproven allegation.
There is a risk that felony charges could be brought against candidates for political reasons to prevent them from running, exploiting the indictment process to eliminate competition and undermine the fairness of elections.
Limiting voters’ choices and potential for disenfranchisement
Such a restriction would limit the pool of candidates available to voters, potentially preventing them from choosing their preferred representative.
Voters may wish to support a candidate who, despite being under indictment, they believe is the best choice. Restricting candidates based on indictments can be seen as undemocratic and paternalistic.
Variable legal standards and unequal treatment
Different jurisdictions may have varying standards and processes for indictments, leading to potential inconsistencies in the application of this restriction.
This variability can result in unequal treatment of candidates based on where they are running for office, creating a patchwork of standards that complicates the electoral process.
Depending on how such a rule is applied, it could disproportionately affect certain communities that face higher rates of criminal legal system involvement.
My conclusion. This was stated elsewhere in the comments and is also my number one priority (aside from an alternative voting pipe dream):
-Education.
With an educated, well-reasoning and engaged populace, we don’t need the Government to coddle its voters. It’s a wonder Republicans are so against education and critical thinking skills.
One additional note that doesn’t really fit in the pros/cons list itself: This change would probably require a constitutional amendment, not just a standard law.
There were a series of accusations about our company last August from a former employee. Immediately following these accusations, LMG hired Roper Greyell - a large Vancouver-based law firm specializing in labor and employment law, to conduct a third-party investigation. Their website describes them as “one of the largest...
I really key in on the language of these types of releases. First is,
To ensure a fair investigation, LMG did not comment or publicly release any data and asked our team members to do the same.
So… keeping yo mouth shut is not ensuring a “fair investigation.” It’s protecting yourself.
Next, phrases like,
Claims of bullying and harassment were not substantiated.
Is not proof of anything- other than there was no proof. That’s why you hire a third party to speak for you. Instead of you saying, “I didn’t do it,” (which of course almost anyone would - true or not) the “independent” investigator can say, “I didn’t find any proof.”
The strongest language here,
Allegations that sexual harassment were ignored or not addressed were false.
…is interesting. I guess it depends on what they mean by “addressed.” If I slapped a colleague on the back and said, “That was hilarious!”, I hardly ignored it. You could even say I addressed it.
I’m not saying I believe I’ve way or the other. All I’m pointing out is this means basically nothing.
As Donald Trump increasingly infuses his campaign with Christian trappings while coasting to a third Republican presidential nomination, his support is as strong as ever among evangelicals and other conservative Christians....
I’ve heard the early Internet age referred to as the future dark ages. When all the work, information and content is digitized, it’s prone to being lost to history forever.
If you don’t like CNN stop listening to it 25/8. Same for Fox, et al.
I’m sorry, did you think the people complaining about corporate media are actually watching it? Like they don’t understand they don’t have to? That’s not the issue at all and I’m not sure why you think it is. People complain because naive people watch it. People with malleable, unscientific, unquestioning minds. People who listen to those channels for the echo chamber and sense of validation it provides them.
This doesn’t sound like a subscription, so much as consumption based billing. They make their money back by cornering the building-level market (perhaps landlords can put in competing chargers?) and charging a higher charging fee… okay that’s confusing. Charging a higher “fillup” fee.
Most abortions in the United States are medication abortions, and telehealth has become an increasingly common way to access abortion pills — especially since the US Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision revoked the federal right to an abortion....
Republicans are coming after this through the Comstock act:
The Comstock Act was passed by Congress under the administration of Ulysses S. Grant and criminalized the act of using the U.S. Postal Service to send “obscene” materials such as contraceptives, substances that induce abortion, pornographic content, sex toys and any written material about these items.
I can’t imagine anyone that has decent prospects would agree to go back to Tesla after getting canned with those kinds of wild swings in decision making.
Kevin Roberts remembers when he could get a bacon cheeseburger, fries and a drink from Five Guys for $10. But that was years ago. When the Virginia high school teacher recently visited the fast-food chain, the food alone without a beverage cost double that amount....
The profits today aren’t any different than the profits from 15 years ago (when fixing for economic growth). I’ve already done the math. The only significant variable that’s changed here is wages. I.e., expenses.
Big Science (mander.xyz)
What are you currently excited for?
The birth (or death) of a relative, the release of a new program, game, series, movie, the date you were dreaming about, could be anything
Trump Pressures Republicans to Pass a Law to Keep Him Out of Jail Forever (www.rollingstone.com)
Linus Tech Tips (LTT) release investigation results on former accusations (x.com)
There were a series of accusations about our company last August from a former employee. Immediately following these accusations, LMG hired Roper Greyell - a large Vancouver-based law firm specializing in labor and employment law, to conduct a third-party investigation. Their website describes them as “one of the largest...
Europe’s new political consensus: We need to make more weapons (www.politico.eu)
The war in Ukraine has shifted thinking — both among politicians and the public — on the need to spend more on defense....
Police identify 12th victim buried on estate of closeted Republican murderer (www.lgbtqnation.com)
Jesus is their savior, Trump is their candidate. Ex-president's backers say he shares faith, values (apnews.com)
As Donald Trump increasingly infuses his campaign with Christian trappings while coasting to a third Republican presidential nomination, his support is as strong as ever among evangelicals and other conservative Christians....
Online Content Is Disappearing (www.pewresearch.org)
Ford asks suppliers for ideas to cut EV costs in an all-win-or-lose push for profitability (electrek.co)
Explosive police report reveals how Moms for Liberty co-founder arranged bisexual threesomes (www.lgbtqnation.com)
‘Magic David called’: David Copperfield repeatedly contacted Jeffrey Epstein (www.theguardian.com)
‘Magic David called’: David Copperfield repeatedly contacted Jeffrey Epstein...
Cable News Refused to Report Trump's Bombshell Quid Pro Quo Offer to Big Oil Execs (www.commondreams.org)
Orange Charger thinks a $750 outlet will solve EV charging for apartment dwellers (techcrunch.com)
Nearly 1 in 5 US abortions now provided through telehealth, with thousands accessed under shield laws each month, report says (www.cnn.com)
Most abortions in the United States are medication abortions, and telehealth has become an increasingly common way to access abortion pills — especially since the US Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision revoked the federal right to an abortion....
Biden announces 100% tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles (www.theguardian.com)
White House levy to protect US makers from cheap imports likely to inflame trade tensions...
Elon Musk laid off the Tesla Supercharger team; now he’s rehiring them (arstechnica.com)
I can’t imagine anyone that has decent prospects would agree to go back to Tesla after getting canned with those kinds of wild swings in decision making.
Americans are choking on surging fast-food prices. "I can't justify the expense," one customer says (www.cbsnews.com)
Kevin Roberts remembers when he could get a bacon cheeseburger, fries and a drink from Five Guys for $10. But that was years ago. When the Virginia high school teacher recently visited the fast-food chain, the food alone without a beverage cost double that amount....