For consideration: should only those who have served in any of the seven uniformed services be allowed to vote?

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 12:06:47 -0400

If you have ever read the book Starship Trooper- by Robert Heinlein, not the movie- only veterans are allowed to vote ( I think they are the only ones to run for office.) A “veteran” was not necessarily someone who had been a soldier, but rather someone who had volunteered for a two-year stint in “Federal Service.”

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Mar 29 at 2018 12:11 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 12:11:31 -0400

No, there are folks who cannot serve due to no fault of their own. My youngest son is one who would have loved to serve but couldn't due to cancer.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Mar 29 at 2018 12:18 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 12:18:28 -0400

A fair question. A simple answer: No. They also serve who contribute to the economy that supports the armed services. They also serve who simply keep the home fires burning. They also serve who only sit and complain (you'll have to think about that one). No, citizenship is no dependent upon service in the armed forces, and I don't begrudge anyone who didn't...

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Mar 29 at 2018 12:20 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 12:20:26 -0400

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Mar 29 at 2018 12:25 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 12:25:04 -0400

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Mar 29 at 2018 12:25 PM

Col Joseph Lenertz — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 12:25:36 -0400

As long as the definition of "federal service" is broadened to include things like Peace Corps, Red Cross, Doctors w/o Borders, and other NGO/PVO efforts, I'd support the idea. And I'd bring it down to one year. There is no reason we shouldn't ask the same question JFK asked regarding what you can do for your country. Every citizen can do SOMETHING for one year, and many more of us would have a better understanding and appreciation of the US as a result.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Mar 29 at 2018 12:41 PM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 12:41:59 -0400

COL Private RallyPoint Member The first time I saw the movie was at SONAR School. It became one of those guilty pleasure movies that I enjoy, but don't like admitting I enjoy. It was here on RP that someone said to me "Like the movie, read the book." So I did. How they can say that movie is based on the book is beyond me. It is so "loosely based" that they are two different entities entirely. Getting to your point, both the book and the movie hit on the point that only Veterans are considered to be citizens. Our founding fathers did not want this nation to be a monarchy or a police state. That is why the elements of the Bill of Rights are so important along with the Amendments that follow. Making service a requirement rather than a choice for citizenship would serve two negatives (my opinion only) First it would require a huge increase in Federal Spending. IF everyone who turned 17 or 18 decided they wanted to be a citizen, and service was required for citizenship, then it would be incumbent upon the Federal Government to accept all who volunteer. That means finding Federal Jobs for those people for at least two years. That means funding that job for at least two years. With such a small percentage of people volunteering right now, and the state of the Federal Budget, that would mean HUGE tax increases. He second negative that it would serve is that it would greatly shift the balance of ideals to the conservative side. I don't mean that as being a conservative is bad. What I mean is that in a free society we should be open to all ideas (someone put on the White House page that we should fund the Death Star). Even if we disagree with an idea with every fiber of our being, we should still be open to hearing that idea. Leaning too far to the conservative or the liberal side of the spectrum leads to those with opposing ideas remaining silent.
So while I do think that everyone should have to take and pass the same test given to those wishing to be naturalized citizens, I do not think that being a Veteran should be required. That being said, voting is a right not a privilege, so even requiring individuals to take the citizenship test would violate that right. Then again, the right to keep and bear arms is a constitutionally protected right that has been violated heavily, so it is not unprecedented that a right be limited by the government.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Mar 29 at 2018 12:49 PM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 12:49:07 -0400

No.

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Mar 29 at 2018 2:05 PM

PVT Mark Brown — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 14:05:54 -0400

Interesting idea and I like the way you are thinking. I have been a proponent of mandatory 2 year conscription to service whether military, Peace Corp, Red Cross, something to become invested in our country. If one does not serve the country then one does not have a vested interest.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2018 2:17 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 14:17:27 -0400

And if you go to countries like Colombia, servicemen are not allowed to vote in fears of being coerced to vote for a military dictator

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2018 3:10 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 15:10:39 -0400

No sir. We already have the Selective Service System (SSS). In my opinion, it should be expanded to every 17yo male or female registering so that they are registered by age 18.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2018 3:19 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 15:19:58 -0400

I will ask a counter question.

Is that what we served for, to pose a major restriction on those who did not?

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Mar 29 at 2018 4:45 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 16:45:22 -0400

Oh, sort of like Starship Troopers?

Response by SPC David Willis made Mar 29 at 2018 5:13 PM

SPC David Willis — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 17:13:18 -0400

Not at all. Not everyone could get a federal job even if they wanted to, simply not enough to go around. The only way it would be fair is to basically have the government control all industry and private sector services so that every citizen could have a chance to vote and that should never ever happen.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2018 5:43 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 17:43:05 -0400

I'm fine with restricting voting to anyone who has served the government to include all taxpayers....

Response by A1C Ian Williams made Mar 29 at 2018 6:41 PM

A1C Ian Williams — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 18:41:16 -0400

Interesting premise, sir COL Private RallyPoint Member Perhaps it might behoove more of us to recognise ourselves as a powerful vocal bloqüe of voters. I know I am very vocal about serving my country and the benefits of veterans/retirees.

Response by SGT Aric Lier made Mar 29 at 2018 6:58 PM

SGT Aric Lier — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 18:58:54 -0400

I have often thought of this, and think voting should not be a right for everyone. have you contributed to society working and paying taxes, going to school to educate, or even volunteered to help the less fortunate. no way in hell should illegals be allowed to vote, if a state says they can fine that state is excommunicated from participating for 20 years.