...it might be that some members of the Democratic Party are more interested in universal suffrage. Maybe it matters more to be seen as the party that opposes placing obstacles in the path of voters in a time when apathy and disgust are making voters turn out in record trickles. Didja ever think of it that way?

An alleged felon is not the same as a convicted one. Some of the yelling over that one had to do not with who was guilty, but who was on the proscribed list that either was innocent, or was "not guilty" (a fine but important distinction -- OJ can vote). I don't think the issue is over actual convicted felons' right to vote.

Illiterate is not the same as incompetent. Many people with severe dyslexia are quite bright.

People who need glasses and can't afford them, people with undiagnosed hearing problems, and people with severe arthritis (ever try to punch a ballot when you have trouble bending your fingers?) aren't too stupid to vote, though they may be too proud to ask for help. Would that be the definition of "incompetence" in the voting booth?

Define "uneducated" for me. Would it have to do with passing some national standardized test? Some homeschool groups in PA are currently militating against the requirement of standardized tests for homeschooled children, and are making some headway in the state legislature. They say it inhibits educational choice.

I agree about illegal immigrants. One needs to be a citizen to vote. Now about those immigration laws... If someone employs an illegal, ought that person to be guilty of a felony, and thus ineligible to vote? After all, the immigrant is only looking for a better life, whereas the employer provides the impetus to commit the crime. Sorta like the user/pusher relationship in the drug market, though decent food and shelter aren't exactly on a par with substance addiction. Just a thought.

As for mouth-breathers... I suspect you can find a lot of them in both parties.

Well, I'm off... but you knew that anyway... ;)

Regards--
Mary Anne