Do you think there should be voting restrictions?

[sangar]

The most basic principle was that everyone is entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and that all men are created equal. That principle stands as we evolve as a country.

Actually, it was the pursuit of property, under the Lockean principles, and all white men (specifically excluding women) are created equal. I've always found it odd that a lot of the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution itself were based on the governing characteristics of the Iroquois Confederation, and yet they were excluded from equality.

[Can_of_corn]

I know a lot of folks don't like O'Keefe and the Breitbart sites but this is funny.

The video shows a young man entering a Washington, DC polling place at 3401 Nebraska Avenue, NW, on primary day of this year--April 3, 2012--and giving Holder’s name and address. The poll worker promptly offers the young man Holder’s ballot to vote.

The young man then suggests that he should show his ID; the poll worker, in compliance with DC law, states: “You don’t need it. It’s all right. As long as you’re in here, you’re on our list, and that’s who you say you are, you’re okay.”

http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-T.../Okeefe-Holder

[Stotle]

Actually, it was the pursuit of property, under the Lockean principles, and all white men (specifically excluding women) are created equal. I've always found it odd that a lot of the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution itself were based on the governing characteristics of the Iroquois Confederation, and yet they were excluded from equality.

Locke's triplet was slightly different, true enough (and important for governmental scholars). But the founders did make the decision to state "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" in the Declaration of Independence itself, no?

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

[TonySoprano]

I know a lot of folks don't like O'Keefe and the Breitbart sites but this is funny.



http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-T.../Okeefe-Holder

It's probably safer to put a direct link to the youtube video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=P5p70YbRiPw

[sangar]

Locke's triplet was slightly different, true enough (and important for governmental scholars). But the founders did make the decision to state "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" in the Declaration of Independence itself, no?

Of course. Do you know why they made the distinction? I'm so far unable to find a whiff of info on this.

[TGO]

Of course. Do you know why they made the distinction? I'm so far unable to find a whiff of info on this.

Jefferson wanted it to be clear that you have the right to enjoy a Sunday drive in a b****in' Camaro even if you rented it.

[Stotle]

Of course. Do you know why they made the distinction? I'm so far unable to find a whiff of info on this.

Blame Ben Franklin -- he didn't like "accumulation of property" as a societal focus.

[TGO]

Blame Ben Franklin -- he didn't like "accumulation of property" as a societal focus.

This is just one of the theories. But yes, to expand a bit, some believe Franklin did not want it implied that the government should not have the power to tax.

There are lots of theories, though, none of them proven because we don't have Jefferson's first draft. It has never been found. Some believe Jefferson and/or the rest of the committee just wanted the idea to be broader than "property" to make it more appealing to everyone.

[orayole]

It would be great if we could keep people that don't know what they're doing away from the ballot but realistically any such power would be abused. Everyone should have the right to vote. And no, IDs should NOT be required.