Voting in America...with poll

I voted it's a right. If it's a privilege, it can be taken away arbitrarily. If it's a right, it takes something major to lose the right to vote, such a felony conviction.

 

It is a priviledge, a right, and the duty of a citizen.

 

It's not an absolute right. In our legal system, the government has no authority to take it away, so in that sense, it is a right.

However, God has not given us an absolute right to self-government. After all, I highly doubt that the Lord will ask us for a vote "by and by."

 

I would say (as an outsider, being British) that it is both a privilege and a right. I am not sure that voting (whether in America or anywhere else) is a God-given right though. I cannot think of any biblical backing for such an idea.

 

Wow! Good answer.

 

Voting is a right.

Amendment XIX


The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.

Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Amendment XXIV


Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.

Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Amendment XXVI


Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States, who are 18 years of age or older, to vote, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of age.

Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

 

According to the Consitution, it is a right.

However, the question of whether or not it is a "God-given" right goes beyond the scope of the constitution.

 

This is how I believe also, that's why I couldn't vote in the poll.

For those who don't believe it's a right. Remember when women didn't have the right to vote?

 

ahh, the good ol' days.... :laugh: :laugh:

now ducking and running for cover:tonofbricks:

 

How did I know THAT was coming...:laugh: :tonofbricks:

 

If something is a right then it is not a privilege.

 

It's compared to driving...and that is always stated to be a privilege, not a right. To vote you must...

Be registered
Be at least 18 years of age
Be an American Citizen
Not be convicted of a felony.

If you meet the requirements, you can vote. That sounds like privilege to me, as everybody cannot participate...

 

It is a privilege to exercise my right to vote.

 

I guess when the U.S. constitution has the word "right" that it is just funning with us.

And some folks accuse liberals of twisting the meaning of the words in the U.S. constitution.

 

I don't agree, I'm afraid. You and I live in countries where we have the right to vote our leaders in and out of office. That right is a privilege not enjoyed by people living in totalitarian regimes. Or to take a scriptural example, Christians are told in Hebrews 13.10:

We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.

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Is that right not also a privilege?

 

It's not a God given right.

Also, voting won't change much. Putting a fallible man in charge won't fix our government or anyone else's.

They all lie, I doubt that will ever change. Voting won't change the coming of the anti-christ and so on.

 

Surely they don't all lie. I agree that they are all fallible, and I'm sure that they have all lied at some time because we are all sinners. But that's one of those broad-brush statements that makes all politicians sound like habitual liars. I think there are godly people in politics - just like there are good attorneys and car salesmen.

I also think that since we have the right to vote as outlined in the constitution that we do need to vote. Voting might not change anything, but NOT voting sure will.