Should politicians be forced to resign if convicted of a Felony?

6SpeedTA95 · 10-19-2006, 12:05 AM

Yes? No?

Why?

They just had a poll on the local news due to a local official being accused of manslaughter. Driving drunk, killed a girl, fled the scene. Now they can't find the guy, he disappeared tuesday morning shortly before being served.

JaJae · 10-19-2006, 12:07 AM

Depends on the crime. For felonies I would say yes. They're supposed to be role models and upstanding citizens. If you can't follow the law you have no business being involved with it.

I wouldn't say they should be forced to resign so much as they should be kicked out of office.

6SpeedTA95 · 10-19-2006, 12:08 AM

Changed to felony which is how it should have read.

SoFlaJDM · 10-19-2006, 12:28 AM

i don't think it's too much to ask for

Kytro · 10-19-2006, 12:50 AM

Not unless they are convicted.

Scrum · 10-19-2006, 01:15 AM

Charged? No.
Convicted? Yes.

Should they step down on their own if charged? I believe so.

What about someone who was charged with a felony and served their time? Should they be allowed to run for office?

7960 · 10-19-2006, 01:23 AM

if convicted, they can't exactly serve the people from behind bars now can they?

convicted = given the boot (not a resignation, a good ol' firing)

once they've served their time and are back on the street, unless the crime dealt specifically with the office I don't see why they shouldn't be able to run again.

IminWonderland · 10-19-2006, 01:42 AM

Originally Posted by 7960

if convicted, they can't exactly serve the people from behind bars now can they?

convicted = given the boot (not a resignation, a good ol' firing)

once they've served their time and are back on the street, unless the crime dealt specifically with the office I don't see why they shouldn't be able to run again.

They should be able to run again, but I doubt they would get elected again. I mean, if we discriminate employees working at a bank or driving a truck with a prior felony, would we really vote in someone to control an aspect of government?

7960 · 10-19-2006, 01:53 AM

Originally Posted by IminWonderland

They should be able to run again, but I doubt they would get elected again. I mean, if we discriminate employees working at a bank or driving a truck with a prior felony, would we really vote in someone to control an aspect of government?

I know he was only convicted of some misdemeanor charge but EVERYONE saw him in the cocaine tape and he still got re-elected.

Voters in some districts aren't that smart.

Kytro · 10-19-2006, 01:54 AM

Originally Posted by 7960

Voters in some districts aren't that smart.

Or they didn't care.

I know that if someone is doing a good job then I could care less if they take drugs

7960 · 10-19-2006, 02:21 AM

Originally Posted by Kytro

Or they didn't care.

I know that if someone is doing a good job then I could care less if they take drugs

He is not above the law. Like the law or not, how does it look when the mayor of one of the worst drug cities in the US is on tape doing illegal drugs?

Kytro · 10-19-2006, 02:28 AM

Originally Posted by 7960

He is not above the law. Like the law or not, how does it look when the mayor of one of the worst drug cities in the US is on tape doing illegal drugs?

Obviously there are legal penalties for breaking a law. I didn't say he was above the law.

I am just saying if someone broke a law that I disagreed with, I would not factor them breaking the law in my decision to support them or not.

My decisions would be based on if I think a given action is ethical or not, rather than legal or not. Unfortunately law and ethics are not the same thing, ans ethics are by far more important as guidelines than are laws.

IminWonderland · 10-19-2006, 02:39 AM

Originally Posted by 7960

I know he was only convicted of some misdemeanor charge but EVERYONE saw him in the cocaine tape and he still got re-elected.

Voters in some districts aren't that smart.

Well, it WAS a misdemeanor. And a Drug Charge isn't the kiss of death in this country. Clinton is an example of that.

When I think of politicians and felonies, I think of things like conspiracy, imbezzlement, fraud, and other white collar crimes. If one finds out that their congressman took illegal campaign contributions, and he was prosecuted for it, it would really make him running again seem kinda

.

However, he should have the right to run, and if people want to elect him, well, that's up to their district.

IminWonderland · 10-19-2006, 02:40 AM

Originally Posted by 7960

He is not above the law. Like the law or not, how does it look when the mayor of one of the worst drug cities in the US is on tape doing illegal drugs?

Like a man of the people?

kinggovernor · 10-19-2006, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by Scrumtralecent

What about someone who was charged with a felony and served their time? Should they be allowed to run for office?

no, but we had this thread recently

Scrum · 10-19-2006, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by kinggovernor

no, but we had this thread recently

I thought the subject sounded familiar.

7960 · 10-19-2006, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by IminWonderland

Well, it WAS a misdemeanor.

It was dropped to a misdemeanor. The original charge was felony possession.

When I think of politicians and felonies, I think of things like conspiracy, imbezzlement, fraud, and other white collar crimes. If one finds out that their congressman took illegal campaign contributions, and he was prosecuted for it, it would really make him running again seem kinda .

According to more than one person in this thread, if he was doing a good job illegal campaign contributions wouldn't be a reason not to vote for him.

However, he should have the right to run, and if people want to elect him, well, that's up to their district.

That's what I said, too.

Originally Posted by IminWonderland

Like a man of the people?

In DC......apparently

hsmith · 10-19-2006, 11:30 AM

Up to the voters of the district.

kinggovernor · 10-19-2006, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by 7960

I know he was only convicted of some misdemeanor charge but EVERYONE saw him in the cocaine tape and he still got re-elected.

Voters in some districts aren't that smart.

how the hell are you going to tell kids not to do drugs. Don't do drugs you will never turn out to be anything...................I can be mayor

Kytro · 10-19-2006, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by kinggovernor

how the hell are you going to tell kids not to do drugs. Don't do drugs you will never turn out to be anything...................I can be mayor

Adults are always telling kids not to do trhings they do. Besides that should be the job of parents, not a mayor

View Poll Results: Should politicians be forced to resign if convicted of a felony?
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No	1	5.26%
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