The civil rights issue of the 21st century and real courage

Maryland State Democratic lawmakers are showing the kind of courage we expect in our public officials.  The Washington Times reports today that Democratic lawmakers of state legislature are introducing a measure that restores voting rights to all felons immediately after they are released from prison.  Under current Maryland law, reports the Moonie Times, only first-time, non-violent felons must wait three years, among other obstacles, before their right to vote is restored.  Maryland, according to the article, is one of 11 States -- Alabama, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nevada, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wyoming being the others -- that disenfranchise some felons for life.  Sadly, three states -- Florida, Kentucky, and my home state of Virginia -- deny the vote to all felons for life.  

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Unfortunately, many other lawmakers in the state aren't showing the kind of courage these Democrats are showing.  A spokesperson for Maryland Gov. Erlich (R) says that the governor is "inclined not to support the bill," and the governor supports maintaining the current discriminatory law.  Most Old Line State Republican lawmakers, who are in the minority in both chambers of the state legislature, oppose the bill.  The Democratic candidates for governor are really lacking in courage.  Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley says that he supports giving felons a "cooling off period."  Business executive Doug Duncan says (as does Lt. Gov. Michael Steele) that he needs "to study the issue."  Kossacks, this is the civil rights issue of the early 21st century, and it would be sad to see so many people, particularly Democrats, on the wrong side of history on this fundamental issue.

Anyhow, at the Federal level, Sen. Harry Reid in 2002 introduced an amendment to the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) that restores federal voting rights to ex-felons who have completely served their sentences.  Unfortunately, the Reid amendment got only 31 votes.

Luckily, in February of this year, Sen. Hillary Clinton (along with Sen. Barbara Boxer) and Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones introduced companion bills (S.450/H.R.939) that among other things, restores federal voting rights to ex-felons who have completely served their sentences (see Title VII of the bills).  Sen. Clinton's bill has only six co-sponsors -- Sens. Boxer, Kerry, Lautenberg, Mikulski, Dayton, and Leahy.  Rep. Tubbs Jones's bill has 75 co-sponsors.  Sens. Clinton, Boxer, Kerry, Lautenberg, and Mikulski, all original sponsors/co-sponsors of the Senate bill and Rep. Tubbs Jones should be commended for their courage.  So should Rep. John Conyers, who every Congress introduces a bill that restores federal voting rights to felons not only who have completely served their sentences but also those on parole and probation.

Our Constitution was intended to protect human dignity in an everchanging world.  These lawmakers deserve our praise for fighting to expand liberty and the protections of human dignity.  Please make your voice heard.