Inside the Wordz

Tricklepolenomics

2004-12-24T17:41:00.000-05:00

Tricklepolenomics:, a political philosophy which governs all domestic and foreign policies by removing those barriers whether moral, judicial or otherwise, which hinder the accumulation of wealth by the affluent These individuals, who remain closely tied with policymakers direct their political, corporate, social and religious influences upon their target countries population. ‘By any means’ policies which seek to dismantle laws and regulations which restricts their agenda. Wealth is classified as information or property that has a monetary or exchange value, as well as any material to sustain political rule. By practice, the suspension of certain civil rights and liberties upon those governed are common. The use of fear in all forms of media condition the populace in consenting to doctrines that permit those in authority absolute rule.

Chinese Grasp for Stability

2004-12-23T13:34:00.000-05:00

Canada, the principal source of imported oil for the United States, has found a new growing market to increase competition for its vast reserves. The People's Republic of China, with its population of over a billion and rapidly growing economy has relied upon Yuganskneftegaz (Yukos) as its key supplier of crude oil. After having sent its sent its first trial shipment of 12,000 tons of crude by rail in 1999, the company now supplies over 7 percent of Chinese consumption, which is an estimated 400,000 barrels a day. However, financially struggling in part by a $27.5 billion back-tax bill, Yukos was forced to auction its core assets on December 19th 2004. Ten days before they announced they would reduce their imports to PetroChina one of the several state owned oil companies. Chinese officials are as well concerned of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East which supplies them by supertanker. As any disruption of this susceptible supply route would be catastrophic, China, the second largest crude oil market, is anxious to expand its sources of supply. Recent meetings between officials may possibly blossom as early as January with over $2 Billion dollars on the table. China is willing to invest in Canada’s previously economically challenged oil sand resources which require extensive capital to produce as compared to contemporary practices. With this new interest Canada now ranks behind only Saudi Arabia in established petroleum reserves. For this venture to be successful, the price of oil must remain elevated dropping no lower than thirty dollars a barrel. Canada could eventually export as many as one million barrels per day to China, this out of its potential exports that could total more than three million barrels a day. Last year, oil production from the sands surpassed one million barrels a day and can be expected to reach three million barrels within the next ten years. The bulk of production is currently exported to the Mid-Western United States. The increased flow of crude oil excelled Canada past Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Venezuela this year as the largest supplier of foreign oil to the United States. With the declining U.S.- Chinese relations including disputes over sales of Harpy Drones to China from Israel and allegations of Human Right Violations, this positioning could create a greater strain on an already volatile oil futures market.

Hoodwinked - Project Bio-Shield

2004-12-23T13:21:00.000-05:00

The Project Bio-Shield Act of 2004 was promoted as an essential reform to revolutionize the efficiency of our medical defenses in the crisis of a bio-chemical terrorist attack. In President Bush’s remarks at the signing of this widely supported legislation into law on July 21st he stated, “It sends a message about our direction in the war on terror. We refuse to remain idle while modern technology might be turned against us; we will rally the great promise of American science and innovation to confront the greatest danger of our time.” Penal Law 108-276 (Project Bio-Shield) authorizes for expedited procurement, streamlined personnel appointments, expedited peer review, biomedical countermeasures procurement, smallpox vaccine development for the National Stockpile, and sanction oversight to other relevant issues of bio-defense activities by the Department of Defense. The President stated that “the Food and Drug Administration will be able to permit rapid distribution of promising new drugs and antidotes in the most urgent circumstances.” Which would allow “patients to quickly receive the best available treatments in an emergency.” Unfortunately during his comments he failed to mention how the administration would exploit this Bill to annul a U.S. District Courts ruling that suspended mandatory anthrax vaccinations to U.S. Servicemen and woman. December 10th, Deputy Secretary of Defense, Paul Wolfowitz requested permission to resume the vaccination program. Citing the Project Bio-Shield Act, Section Four (b), by “a determination by the Secretary of Defense that there is a military emergency, or a significant potential for a military emergency, involving a heightened risk to United States military forces of attack with a specified biological, chemical, radiological, or nuclear agent or agent.” The law provides statutes for the HHS Secretary to declare an emergency permitting the use of non-approved products that include drugs. medical devices and biological products that have not been tested by the FDA. As for Wolfowitz claim of a threat he cites a classified Intelligence assessment published in November observing a greater risk to personnel at Central Command in Iraq as well as those serving in Korea. Since 1998 an estimated 1.2 million military personnel have been subject to anthrax shots. Many were punished or discharged for their refusal to participate in the mandatory requirement finding that it does not protect them from inhaling anthrax. Soldier’s also were concerned over illnesses related to the drug even though the Pentagon contends that the vaccination is safe. This oversight by both the House, Senate and American people, has allowed, once again, the “by any means” determination of this administration to have their way regardless of the safety and concern for our military personnel.

Inside the Wordz War Predictions for 2005

2004-12-20T13:08:00.000-05:00

(not in any specific order)

1.) Iraqi Elections will take place with generally accepted results. Kurds and Shia’s sweeping most electoral posts.
2.) Pakistan will find itself on the verge of civil disobedience in the early months of the new year.
3.) There will be an increase in allegations regarding Iraqi and Afghanistan abuse.
4.) Syria and Iran will be sanctioned for their participation in the War on Terrorism.
5.) The Dollar’s value will continue to drop as more Countries such as Japan and China move to find greater value in other markets.
6.) The United Nations will fail to make any significant reform.
7.) North Korea’s nuclear allegations will be dismissed as propaganda in the worlds view.
8.) Sec. Donald Rumsfeld will submit his resignation due to no confidence votes both domestic and abroad.
9.) Their will be widespread assassination attempts on world leaders.
10.) More states will push for the legalizing of Medical marijuana.
11.) Pres. Bush will successfully reform tort legislation.
12.) Media conglomerates will lose their effectiveness in journalism resulting in more participation by individuals on political debate and blog sites. Such as www.Volconvo.com
13.) Energy services will be interrupted during the summer of 2005 and become a hotly debated issue.
14.) Homeland Security will be the most difficult and most contested nomination for Pres. Bush allowing A.G. Gonzales to emerge from hearings unscathed by democrats fearing racial bias views.
15.) Their will be significant strides to develop a new party lines.

Coalition Provisional Authority Cash's Out

2004-12-20T02:24:00.000-05:00

On November 6th, 2003, The United States Congress authorized the creation of the Coalition Provisional Authority Office of the Inspector General. The CPA-IG was intended to provide oversight as an ”independent, objective evaluator of operations and activities of the Coalition Provisional Authority.” Congress established this temporary office to administer investigations and to perform audits determining that all appropriated funds for Iraqi relief and construction are effectively employed. A total of $24.1 Billion dollars in U.S. funds have been appropriated for Iraqi re-construction efforts. Of which, $1.3 Billion has been reportedly spent following the Inspector Generals “Third Quarterly Report to Congress” submitted in October, 2004. This report was closely observed by the International Advisory and Monitoring Board as well as the Iraqi Revenue Watch Organization anticipating that fundamental failures in this office would be revealed. Each of these bodies have investigated the CPA practices finding that there are substantial abuses that officials breached well established governmental procedures. One senior U.S. official has suggested that only 25% of U.S. reconstruction funding is reaching intended projects, while others have said the amount is less than 50%. “The CPA Inspector General faulted the CPA for its management of cash and other property seized from the former regime during and after combat operations. The assets included jewelry, gems, artwork, vehicles, furniture, carpets, and other valuables.”
The Inspector General found that only $21 million dollars of the $120.1 seized and vested assets spent by the CPA has any form of documentation. The Inspector General further found that of this $21 million, $17.2 million had inadequate documentation. Stating that “the validity and the purpose of disbursements for $116.3 million could not be determined.” “In fact, recent audits bring to light that the award of lucrative contracts to well-connected companies, such as Halliburton, did not stop with US funds. The bulk of contracts paid for with Iraqi oil money went to Halliburton subsidiary Kellogg, Brown, & Root with no competition. The Iraqi interim government appears to be following the poor example set by the CPA, making public next to no information about the Development Fund for Iraq since the transfer of power.” To date, the CPA-IG has initiated twenty-three audits and have aided in 113 criminal investigations. “An analysis of the data suggests that of $1.5 billion in contracts, the CPA awarded U.S. firms 74 percent of the value of all contracts paid for with Iraqi funds. Together with its British allies, U.S. and U.K. companies received 85 percent of the value of all such contracts. Iraqi firms, by contrast, received just 2 percent of the value of contracts paid for with Iraqi funds.” The report uncovers that “60 percent of the value of all contracts paid with Iraqi funds went to Kellogg, Brown & Root (KBR)-the same company that Pentagon auditors in December 2003 found had overcharged the U.S. government for as much as $61 million for fuel imports into Iraq“. A criminal investigation of KBR was launched by the Department of Defense in February 2004. The CPA-IG audits confirm the “findings of previous ones. A report released in July 2004 by the International Advisory and Monitoring Board, the watchdog body set up by the United Nations, found numerous problems in the CPA's control and use of Iraqi oil assets during the occupation. These include the absence of oil metering to control theft, poor record-keeping on oil sales, an absence of oversight of spending by the Iraqi ministries, the use of noncompetitive bidding procedures for some contracts, and the CPA's refusal to transmit crucial information to the UN-mandated body”.
“Custer Battles, a nine-month-old company founded by two former Army Rangers, won a sub-contract from Washington Group International that was awarded by the Department of Defense. Tasked with providing 700 security guards, Custer Battles charged the Pentagon $20 million for six months of work. Yet its guards, hired by a Kurdish sub-contractor, received less than $200 per month, which adds up to $840,000 over six months. This means that, adjusting for other overhead costs, the company pocketed roughly $19 million—95 percent of the contract value—in profit for itself.” Set to cease its operations by December 28th 2004, the CPA-IG received a provision in October as Congress passed the Ronald Reagan National Defense Authorization Act of 2005 which included a provision to re-designate the CPA-IG as a new office. The Special Inspector General for Iraq Re-construction (SIGIR). This mandate extends the Inspector Generals office until “10 months from the date that the Secretary of State determines that 80 percent of congressionally-appropriated Iraq Relief and Reconstruction funds have been spent.” The House version of the FY2005 Foreign Operations Appropriations Act also re-designates the CPA-IG, and extends its mandate until September 30, 2007.

References:
Public Law 108-106. www.cpa-ig.com

See Jonathan Weisman and Robin Wright, “Funds to Rebuild Iraq Are Drifting Away From Target,” Washington Post , October 6, 2004, p. A18; Paul Richter, “Costs Whittle Funds to Iraqis,” Los Angeles Times, September 26, 2004, p. A1.

Coalition Provisional Authority Control of Seized and Vested Assets (Report Number 04-008)

Office of the Inspector General, Coalition Provisional Authority, “Third Quarterly Report to Congress,” October 30, 2004, http://www.cpa-ig.com/pdf/cp aig_october_30_report.pdf.

Iraqi Revenue Watch Report on “DISORDER, NEGLIGENCE AND MISMANAGEMENT: HOW THE CPA HANDLED IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION FUNDS” http://www.iraqrevenuewatch.org/reports/092404.pdf

See text of H.R. 4200, section 1059B and Section 3001, at
http://thomas.loc.gov/

See text of H.R. 4818 at
http://thomas.loc.gov/

Coalition Dictatorship -

2004-12-20T01:03:00.000-05:00

America and Europe have now found themselves in a peculiar predicament. President and Commanding General, Pervaiz Musharraf has declared that he will refuse to relinquish his duel role as ruling officer and statesman on December 31st 2004. In 1999, Musharraf came into authority after a bloodless coup. Last year he had vowed that he would give up his role as uniform general in a deal with right-wing religious parties that threatened to revolt against him. However, the Pakistani Parliament passed legislation, allowing Musharraf to retain both roles for an indefinite period of time. In his television interview, President Musharraf stated that He “will remain in uniform” past the December 31st deadline. He is inclined to do so stating that it will ensure political stability while allowing him to effectively fight terrorism. In the light of upcoming revolts and mainstream condemnation, Musharraf is purported as a key adversary in the war on terrorism. Just recently he has been praised by both the Bush Administration as well as by Tony Blair. Neither of which have commented on the state of democracy in Pakistan. The beginning of the new year will spark new questions regarding U.S. policy towards democracy in the middle-east, not only for those who were ruled by dictatorship in Iraq, but those that continue to be in Pakistan.

Dismal Dollar for Sale...

2004-12-19T22:07:00.000-05:00

What is the problem with the dollar? Some care less to really think about it as money it has never been our strong point… but as we see the overwhelming numbers of our U.S. Budget deficit grow, and the dollar’s recent decline in the international market, we must ask ourselves if our American households in-ability to save money - in which we are at a historical low has any reflection on our governments economic policies. John Snow has recently revealed his incapacity to recognize that the U.S. budget deficit is a principal reason as to the dollar’s drop. However, this takes falls directly in place with Bush’s economic policy of blaming European Governments of failing to re-kindle their economies. It has been mentioned by some Chinese Officials that it may serve better to transfer some of their U.S. foreign treasury Accounts to European Markets in order to avoid losses. China holds around $174.4 Billion dollars of the U.S. Treasury and is the second largest foreign controller. (Japan which holds $720 Billion Dollars, Both Japan China hold about 48% of US Treasuries held by foreign Nation’s at $894.4 Billion.)
SO as the battle for the world economy markets converge, can this new trend develop into a collapse in equity and bond markets? Alan Greenspan has already stated that Our economy may not be financed by foreigners for too much longer. So when these foreign countries bail on their holdings what can we expect? The International Monetary Fund, an organization of 184 countries, established in 1945, is supposed to oversee policy regarding global monetary cooperation, as well as to promote financial stability. As of yet, they have proposed no solutions nor even comments regarding the dismal state of world economics.

Inhumane Injustice

2004-12-11T16:48:00.000-05:00

"Iraq's a nation. The United States is a nation. The Geneva Conventions applied. They have applied every single day from the outset."
-- Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.

On August 18th 2004, a 16-year-old Iraqi male was mercilessly murdered by two Army Officers. After a skirmish inside Sadr City in Baghdad, the two officers discovered a severely injured boy inside a vehicle. The youth who was collecting trash before the skirmish broke out was suffering from burns and abdominal wounds. After deliberation by a handful of soldiers, the boy was perceived to be beyond medical attention and was than put to death. Sergeant
Cardenas Alban discharged his M-231 assault rifle into the youth followed by an M-16 blast by Staff Sgt. Johnny Horne Jr. In all, six soldiers of the 41st Infantry Regiment are charged with murder stemming from multiple occurrence’s. In this indictment, soldiers claim that the incident was merely a “Mercy Killing.” The units commanding officer, Captain Robert Humphries only became aware of the event days later from an anonymous note slipped under his door. On Friday December 10th 2004, a seven-member panel of the United States Military Judicial courts accepted Staff Sgt. Johnny Horne’s plea, admitting his guilt to charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Upon taking the plea bargain Horne was sentenced to three years in prison, a dishonorable discharge as well as the forfeiture of all future pay. This plea bargain delivers a major injustice to all victims of International war crimes. Furthermore, it disgraces the underlying principle found in the Military Code of Conduct which specifically states that a soldier will “never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom,responsible for my actions, and (that I am) dedicated to the principles which made my country free.” These principles are exemplified within the Declaration of Independence stating 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.” The Geneva Convention which is binding upon the United States as well as Nations that are outside the U.N Charter state that “violence to life and person, in particular, murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture onto persons taking no active part in hostilities, including members of armed forces who have laid down their arms and those placed “hors de combat” by sickness, wounds, detention, or any other cause, shall in all circumstances be treated humanely, without any adverse distinction founded on race, color, religion or faith, sex, birth or wealth, or any other similar criteria.” Furthermore, that the wounded and sick shall be collected and afforded care. An exemption of any statute that applies these basic human rights should not be afforded to any Nation. However, the ratification of the "American Service Members' Protection Act” obstructs all cooperation with the International Criminal Court and thereby renders its’ service members exempt to a tribunal inquiry. To participate in any conflict, the President and Congress must verify that U.S. Armed Service members will not be liable to any prosecution. This Bill further authorizes that "all means necessary and appropriate" will be taken to release any personnel, from any form of imprisonment, including those sanctioned by judicial proceedings. Certainly U.S. Military Law includes punishment for its’ members violating human rights. Unfortunately, prosecutors in the Horne hearing failed to endorse any of those. Demonstrating the United States policy of autonomy regarding war crimes committed by its allied members. Three years imprisonment for the death of a 16 year old boy hardly seems acceptable. In a statement by Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, in a may 20th 2004 interview, he acknowledged that the Geneva Conventions have applied to the United States since the beginning of the occupation. The Military courts have failed to exhibit this agreement in late proceedings and those that continue to tally up on their dockets.

“Fleecing of America - Election Style”

2004-12-10T16:02:00.000-05:00

Within the past 2 years, the Bush administration has endorsed many elections, however, no election was nearly as important than financing those around the world. President Bush has spent more than sixty-five million dollars fostering Ukraine’s political atmosphere. This aid was dispersed by four foundations including three subsidized by the U.S. government: “The National Endowment for Democracy, which gets its money directly from Congress; the Eurasia Foundation, which gets money from the State Department, and the Renaissance Foundation, part of a network of charities funded by billionaire George Soros that gets money from the State Department. Other countries involved included Great Britain, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Canada, Norway, Sweden and Denmark.” U.S. Officials claim that the financial assistance does not constitute as a interference in Ukraine's election, contrary to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Officials cite that the sixty-five million is but share of the one billion dollars that the State Department spends each year establishing democracy worldwide. The money “was funneled through organizations like the Carnegie Foundation or through groups aligned with Republicans and Democrats that organized election training, with human rights forums or with independent news outlets.” The International Republican Institute received over twenty-nine million dollars last year to encourage democracy in Ukraine. Headed by former State Department official Lorne Craner, the IRI established meetings with top U.S. officials. Vice president Dick Cheney, Assistant Secretary of State, Richard Armitage as well as Congressional GOP leaders met with Yushchenko in February of 2003. “Grants from groups funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development also went to the International Center for Policy Studies, a think tank that includes Yushchenko on its supervisory board.” “The U.S. Agency for International Development also funds the Center for Ukrainian Reform Education, which produces radio and television programs aiming to educate Ukrainian citizens about reforming their nation's government and economy. The center also sponsors press clubs and education for journalists.”

Homeland Security Risk...

2004-12-10T14:46:00.000-05:00

What values and principles does one look for in the next Secretary of Homeland Security? Recently President Bush has nominated Bernard Kerik, New York City Police Commissioner and former Senior Policy Advisor to the Iraq Interior Minister. Commissioner Kerik had spent three years in the United States Army as a military police officer within Korea as well as within the 18 Airborne Corps where he trained with Special Forces personnel at the J.F.K. Un-conventional Warfare Center. Commissioner Kerik served with the New York Police Department in both uniformed and plain clothes Capacities. Later in his career he was assigned to the most substantial narcotic investigations in the history of the department, resulting in the conviction of more than sixty members of the Cali Cartel. For many this is an impressive resume, Kerik must face Senate confirmation hearings for the position that includes oversight of 22 federal agencies and a $37.7 billion budget. Motives, ethics, and his capacity to sufficiently protect America’s homeland will find a slightly less sparkling record.

Kerik's relationship to a stun gun manufacture presents a serious conflict of interest. Kerik has made $6.2 million dollars in profits from his relationship with Taser International, an Arizona-based manufacturer of stun guns. Kerik was appointed as a director of the company immediately after he pushed the NYPD to purchase its guns as police chief. Since 2002, Kerik has hawked Taser's products to police departments around the country. Recently the company has made strong efforts to get government business, most notably from the Department of Homeland Security.

Kerik abandoned a critical post in Iraq to go on vacation. Appointed by President Bush to train a new Iraqi police force in 2003, "Kerik came under criticism for inadequate screening of recruits as U.S. authorities rushed to deploy the force. It has been plagued by desertions and by allegations that insurgents have infiltrated the ranks," according to the Washington Post. Worse, Kerik "quit four months into his six-month tenure in Iraq, telling New York reporters later that he needed a vacation."

Kerik used his New York Police Department credentials to shill for pharmaceutical interests. In April, the Washington Post reported that Kerik opened a high-priced consulting firm to sell his New York City police credentials to wealthy corporate bidders. The firm was promptly hired by the pharmaceutical industry's chief lobbying group to build opposition to letting American seniors purchase lower-priced, FDA-approved medicines from Canada.

Iraqi Election Forecast

2004-12-09T14:05:00.000-05:00

In a recent article published by the American Enterprise Institution, James Q. Wilson discusses the prospects for democracy in Iraq. James Wilson is professor emeritus in government at Harvard University and has served on President George W. Bush’s Council on Bioethics. Serving as a member of the Presidents Intelligence Advisory Board from 1985 to 1990, he has challenged issues concerning the quality and adequacy of intelligence collection, of analysis and estimates, as well as counterintelligence. Former members of this board include Alan Greenspan, Henry Kissinger as well as current Chair Brent Scowcroft. The PFIAB, through its Intelligence Oversight Board, also advises the President on the legality of foreign intelligence activities. “There are more Muslim nations--indeed, more nations of any stripe--that provide a reasonable level of freedom than ones that provide democracy in anything like the American or British versions.” For Wilson, democracy is defined as “competitive elections among rival slates of candidates“, which is more difficult to uncover than liberalism, He further defines liberalism as ”a decent respect for the freedom and autonomy of individuals.” “Freedom--that is, liberalism--is more important than democracy because freedom produces human opportunity.” This is what lies at the heart of our efforts to make Afghanistan and Iraq into liberal states. For the middle east there have only been three democracies throughout time. Lebanon, Turkey and Israel, Wilson further demonstrates that none of these are democracies by definition. Although they have made significant strides towards providing personal freedoms, “There will never be a Muslim Martin Luther or a hereditary Islamic ruler who, by embracing a rival faith, can thereby create an opportunity for lay rule.” Although there are moderate Islamic leaders, Islam as an institution is unable detach itself from its governmental capacities. “political freedom in the West emerged out of a centuries-long struggle between the Church and its religious opponents. Tolerance slowly emerged as the only feasible alternative to intra-religious conflict.” “It may therefore take a long time before the proponents of "Islamic democracy," to abandon their efforts and realize that no nation can be governed effectively simply on the basis of Islamic law.”

Korean Death Promise

2004-12-09T14:04:00.001-05:00

It seems that our thirst for adrenaline enhancing entertainment has somehow overstepped the line of real life drama. In Ubisoft‘s Ghost Recon 2, a famine in North Korea in the year 2007, finds a General Paik diverting funds for food and humanity aid into an expense account to gain full control of the Korean peninsula. As the General slowly emerges with some control, china cuts off all weapons trade. However the general finds a new “secret” ally in Russia. Fearfull of nuclear capabilities china seeks a multi-national force to protect its borders and quell the situation. Hence, the Ghost’s must travel into the heart of North Korea and ultimately kill General Paik. What’s the drama? North Korea has claimed that
Ghost Recon 2 is nothing more than a piece of propaganda in a newspaper column that promised "miserable defeat and gruesome deaths" for the Americans. “Through propaganda, entertainment and movies, [Americans] have shown everyone their hatred for us. This may be just a game to them now, but a war will not be a game for them later. In war, they will only face miserable defeat and gruesome deaths," a column in a North Korean newspaper cites. To express their distaste, The South Korean Media Rating Board has rejected the approval of Ghost Recon 2 into the country. Citing that the theme and plot goes “way too far,” in its portrayal of upcoming conflict in Korea.
Ghost Recon 2 is available for X-box, Playstation 2, and personal computers. The rating is T for Teen. Essentially, this widely available game undermines the peace process which is still developing in Korea today. It can also be viewed as “a measure of desensitizing our children as well as ourselves into waging war with the rest of the Axis of Evil.” Between the Iraq oil for food scandal, Iran and korea’s nuclear aspirations and the tension that has embedded itself around the world, this 2007 alternate future may not just be a new game dramatization, it could be seen as a proposition for future engagements.

Our Civil Death

2004-12-09T14:02:00.001-05:00

Between four million and five million otherwise eligible voters nationwide are estimated to have lost their federal voting privileges because of current and past felony convictions. As many as 40 percent of that number are African-American; Women represent about 500,000 of those. In some cases, released ex-felons are not routinely informed regarding the steps necessary to regain their right to vote and often believe—incorrectly—that they can never vote again. Moreover, even if they seek to have the vote restored, few have the financial and political resources needed to succeed. All states except Maine and Vermont bar felons from voting, though some allow felons to regain their right to vote in some circumstances. Revolutionary Father Thomas Paine said: “The right of voting for representatives is the primary right by which all other rights are protected. To take away this right is to reduce a man to slavery, for slavery consists in being subject to the will of another.” The Fifteenth Amendment to the US Constitution, enacted in 1870 following the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation that declared slaves free men, declared: “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 race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” However, the Supreme Court in the 1974 case Richardson v. Ramirez, Justice Rhenquist’s reading of Section 2, ruled that felony disenfranchisement could not be challenged under the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause, therefore leading recent suits brought under the Voting Rights Act, which bars imposition of any burden that results in the denial of voting rights "on account of race or color." The Rehnquist opinion in Richardson v. Ramirez read the provision as an exception to the Equal Protection Clause of Section 1 of the Amendment and a grant of authority to the states to disfranchise any person convicted of a crime. Section 1 of the Fourteenth Amendment reads in pertinent part: “No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
To fulfill the standard established by the Voting Rights Act, members of a protected class would have to fully demonstrate that they were investigated, arrested, prosecuted and convicted (therefore becoming disenfranchised) by profound numbers, thus out of proportion to their propensity to commit crime because of racial profiling and other discriminatory practices. For scores of years, applications for restoring voting rights have languished without official action. For that neglect, fourteen States disenfranchise ex-offenders who have fully served their sentences, regardless of the nature or seriousness of the offense. In eight States, a pardon or order from the Governor is required for an ex-offender to regain the right to vote. In two States, ex-offenders must obtain action by the parole or pardon board to regain that right. In at least 16 States, Federal ex-offenders cannot use the State procedure for restoring their voting rights. The only method provided by Federal law for restoring voting rights to ex-felony offenders is a Presidential pardon. Persons who seek to have their voting rights restored are many times indigenous and do not have the financial and political resources needed to succeed. Thirteen percent of the African-American adult male population, or 1,400,000 African-American men, are disenfranchised. Given current rates of incarceration, 3 in 10 African-American men in the next generation will be disenfranchised at some point during their lifetimes. Hispanic citizens are also disproportionately disenfranchised, since those citizens are disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system. Given current rates of incarceration, the Sentencing Project estimates that up to 40 percent of African American men may permanently lose their right to vote.
It should not be construed a mere coincidence that felony disfranchisement laws are progressively severe in Southern States, who have the un-precedented “150 year, post-Civil War history of crafting laws to prevent the descendants of former slaves from voting – including poll taxes, literacy tests and a host of other barriers which disparately impacted the poor and the under-educated.” Recently, In Johnson v. Bush which was brought before the 11th Circuit in Florida, where currently, state law supports disenfranchisement for ex-felons permanently unless the Governor approves their restoration of voting rights. In both Maine and Vermont, eligibility to vote for felons goes un-revoked. Certainly, there must be some standardization for our federal government elections.
If the strength of a democracy depends on voluntary participation of its citizens, how can we deny the basic Constitutional right to vote of those citizens that have successfully completed their debt to society? If a judge hands down a sufficient and appropriate sentence and that sentence is then carried out entirely, fundamental fairness dictates that we allow these voices to participate in all political practices. Congress has ultimate supervisory power over Federal elections, an authority that has repeatedly been upheld by the Supreme Court; Although; State laws determine the qualifications for voting in Federal elections. We must as a society restore the fairness in the Federal election process by ensuring that ex-offenders who have fully served their sentences are not denied the right to vote. I implore New York State Senators as well as all politicians, state and federally to actively support and endorse this legislation. It shall not extend voting rights to prisoners. Nor shall it extend voting rights to ex-felons on parole, nor extend voting rights to ex-felons on probation, Further, it restores the right to vote to those individuals who have completely served their sentences, including probation, parole, fines and restitution. This legislation would only apply to Federal elections, perhaps becoming a template for possible Local and State ruling bodies.
The right of an individual who is a citizen of the United States to vote in any election for Federal office shall not be denied or abridged because that individual has been convicted of a criminal offense unless, at the time of the election, such individual --
(1) Is serving a felony sentence in a correctional institution or facility; or
(2) Is on parole or probation for a felony offense.
If convicted of a felony and sentenced to incarceration, a felon automatically regains the right to vote upon expiration of the maximum time to which he or she was sentenced, or upon discharge from parole, whichever occurs first. If convicted of a felony but not sentenced to incarceration, or if the sentence was suspended, felon's conviction does not affect the right to vote. A first time offender for theft or infamous crime, other than buying or selling votes, the right to vote is automatically restored upon completion of your sentence, including any probation or parole; as well as all fines, court costs, and restitution fully satisfied. Upon a 2nd and subsequent offenses - offender must apply to court for restoration; It is my intention that within this proposed legislation that a person convicted of murder, manslaughter or any felony constituting a sexual offense, treason, or an offense against public administration involving bribery, improper influence or abuse of office, may not have their voting rights restored. A person is forever disqualified from voting if convicted of a crime connected to the exercise of the right to vote, including the buying and selling of votes. When the sentence has been fully discharged, including parole, a felon and/or supervising agency should receive a certificate from the Department of Corrections stating that he or she has been restored to the full rights of a citizen. The agency having then jurisdiction, should file a copy of the certificate with the sentencing court. After receiving this certificate, the Clerk shall file the certificate with the original record at no fee. Once this is done, the felon must then register to vote.
Perhaps this notion may be disregarded as inconceivable as it has been in the past. Finding that those who have committed the act of a felony: “{their}..Judgment and character is such [that] they ought not to be making decisions on the most important issues facing our country.” and that of Roger Clegg of the Center for Equal Opportunity. "They say that people who aren't willing to follow the law shouldn't have a voice in making law." Understandably, it was that same prevalent attitude which suppressed the rights of minority voters until aggressive civil rights advocacy and the passing of statutory reforms was progressively pursued.