• Xatolos@reddthat.com
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    2 months ago

    It’s because legally, having a criminal record doesn’t disqualify you from running. There isnt anything preventing this. Most likely its to help prevent a minor mishap from long ago condemning your future abilities (otherwise, you’d have all sorts of small charges against every politician to destroy their career. It would make the worst blackmail material).

    Now, morally why did enough people vote for him anyway is a whole different issue that I don’t have an answer for.

    • TexasDrunk@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      It’s also so that someone can’t weaponize law enforcement on their political opponents. So let’s say you’re president. You come after me on a bogus charge. I’ve now got a record. I can no longer run against you.

      Morally, I agree entirely.

    • Stormy@thelemmy.club
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      2 months ago

      I know loads of adults with no “minor mishaps.” It’s not just normal to have a criminal record, they had no reason to do that. They just assumed no one was dumb enough to vote for criminals

      • SuperNovaStar@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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        2 months ago

        I know plenty of people with records. Few of them are white. Fewer still are white, cis, straight, and ablebodied.

        If you look a certain way or dress a certain way, law enforcement tends to look for opportunities to harass or arrest you. So no, I don’t think it should be illegal to hold office as a felon. (I’m also against felons having their voting rights taken from them.)