Should immigrants have the right to vote?

@neuronic (242)
Japan
December 28, 2008 8:38am CST
The other day we discussed this topic with my friends but couldn't finish since alcohol was faster. However, let me restate my opinion on this. I believe that immigrants who immigrated to other country SHOULD NOT have the right to vote for following reasons: First of all, this works like betrayal; you obviously didn't like it that's why you left, and therefore you shouldn't be eligible to have any rights howsoever. Second, you don't contribute to "your" country in any way, you don't help, you don't work, and most of all, you don't pay taxes, instead country still supports you by giving you right to vote, thus spending money on you, whereas you don't spend a dime for that. And last reason, if you voted for someone you might have unintentionally destroyed someone's life in a country where you don't live anymore, and that seems pretty ridiculous from logical stand point. What your take on this subject...?
2 people like this
5 responses
@syankee525 (6261)
• United States
28 Dec 08
no... they should come in my country or any other countries the prpoer way and get citizen ship. they should be able to get driver lic, or socail securty and any other benfits if they didn't come in through the proper channles
1 person likes this
@jenrl17 (420)
• United States
29 Dec 08
I think you meant to say they shouldnt be able to get d/l or ss if they dont come here the right way, obtaining citizenship legally and properly. Sure wish we could edit our responses, which is another topic on here.
1 person likes this
@neuronic (242)
• Japan
29 Dec 08
yep, after reading all the responses, I realize my topic was wrongly set, and due to my lack of English I have said it wrong. I wish I could change the post so you would entirely understand what I meant in the first place. I am sorry for the misunderstanding.
@ronnyb (6113)
• Jamaica
6 Jan 09
I agree with you ,I think you should have right to vote for the new country you have pledged allegiance to especially if you are paying taxes there.I aslo believe if you spend more than six months in any country then that is your home and that is wher your interests should lie .Like you said if you are living somewhere else you might not be cognizant of the crrent issues facing the people in your former country and your voting may destroy the livelihood of persons there.
@neuronic (242)
• Japan
7 Jan 09
Very well said. Thank you for the great response, wish you done it sooner ;)
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
30 Dec 08
I kinda agree with you on many fronts. Now when you say immigrants should not have the right to vote. You would mean, they should not have the right to vote in their country of origin, rite? In that case, I truely agree with you. Cos they are oversea, they do not know the ground feel of the locals at home. AND if they have taken roots else where, they should not be given the same rights to vote. They will only regain that right if they have stayed at least one year prior to the voting period. Cos with the mobility of people today, all these people overseas are getting interms of information is from the news. And the local papers, though suppose to be neutral, will never be able to fully illustrate the sendiment on the ground. SO the info they do get is not the actual true picture of the sentiments of the people towards the various political parties that are running for the elections. On top of that, you rarely see the opposition having equal air time on TV as compared to the governing political party. So the impression might already be skewed before the immigrant goes to put his vote during the elections.
@neuronic (242)
• Japan
3 Jan 09
Ahgong, thank you for understanding my post. That is exactly what I meant, just wrote it wrong, and as you are well aware of, there's no edit function here. What you're saying is exactly one of my point, people get the blurry picture in their mind about what is really happening and even if they do get the clear picture, they are not living and contributing to that society anymore, so what's the point of giving them rights to decide what's best for the "their" nation.
@p1kef1sh (45681)
30 Dec 08
Do you mean "emigrants". I feel that they should become naturalised citizens in their new country and then they may enjoy all the rights and privileges of citizens including voting there. If they have left the country for good, with no intention of returning then I'd say no. But if they have gone for a shorter period, 5 years say, then I'd be a little more lenient.
1 person likes this
@neuronic (242)
• Japan
3 Jan 09
Thank you for your post, unfortunately this topic took the wrong curve, since I haven't expressed myself correctly. I'd suggest you look at the ahgong's reply, he understood exactly what I meant. And yes, I was referring to emigrants if that is the word that defines people who moved from one country to another due to some political, religious or any kind of conflict.
@jenrl17 (420)
• United States
29 Dec 08
Heres my take on this. If immigrants come here illegally, they dont deserve anything; not one thing. Why should they? Theyre not here legally, breaking the law, so why should they be rewarded? Go back to your country if youre not going to do what youre supposed to, coming here the right way, legally. Stop stealing from working Americans. On the other hand, if immigrants do the right thing and get legalized as soon as they come here, then I think its ok to give them the right to vote perhaps, as long as they are educated about who they are voting for and do everything right, contributing to society; then I think they should have a voice. However, I dont care if you legalized yourself or not when it comes to getting social security that so many Americans worked all their lives for. The only acception I think would be those immigrants who got legalization the right way and have been here for many many years, working, contributing, living the proper way. If theyve been here most of their life and have been legal the whole time, working like everyone else, contributing, then yes, I think they also deserve social security cause theyve paid taxes and contributed to society. Those people are basically citizens, have been and should have the rights of those born here. Hope I didnt offend anyone, just giving my opinion, exercising my freedom of speech.
1 person likes this
@neuronic (242)
• Japan
29 Dec 08
Thank you for your comment!