General Discussion

Sogo

(6,069 posts) Fri Jan 10, 2025, 01:53 PM Jan 10

Dems should introduce a bill that felons cannot hold the office of Presidency.

It wouldn't be passed in this Congress, of course, and it wouldn't take effect for this Presidency, but we must be on record that being a felon is disqualifying for the Presidency. Then, when we get a Dem Congress again, it should be passed first thing. There are jobs of far lower status than President for which being a felon is disqualifying. The current situation should be know as an outlier and NOT as precedent for the future.

18 replies

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Dems should introduce a bill that felons cannot hold the office of Presidency. (Original Post) Sogo Jan 10 OP

when has being on record in the Congress with a failed bill ever helped electorally? thebigidea Jan 10 #1

In years past, the Republicans repeatedly voted on repealing abortion rights. Sogo Jan 10 #4

Bad idea. WarGamer Jan 10 #2

You bring up some good points. StarryNite Jan 10 #14

Unconstitutional right from the get-go Seeking Serenity Jan 10 #3

So, introduce a Constitutional amendment. Sogo Jan 10 #5

Oh, sure. Amendment XXII added a term-limit qualification Seeking Serenity Jan 10 #6

Yes, but it requires 2/3 of both houses to pass it first. MichMan Jan 10 #10

Actually, it's 2/3rds of both Houses of Congress, and 3/4ths of the state legislatures n/t markpkessinger Jan 10 #11

Thanks for the correction. MichMan Jan 10 #15

There's a problem - the Constitution sets the qualifications for the presidency. Ocelot II Jan 10 #7

After the horse left the barn orangecrush Jan 10 #8

For what? WhiskeyGrinder Jan 10 #9

You don't think there should be a higher standard for public servants? n/t markpkessinger Jan 10 #12

For appointed officials? Sure as they are not voted kelly1mm Jan 10 #13

Add in DeepWinter Jan 10 #16

As you can see from the replies the system was designed Meowmee Jan 10 #17

This message was self-deleted by its author Fla Dem Jan 10 #18

thebigidea

(13,488 posts)

1. when has being on record in the Congress with a failed bill ever helped electorally?

Reply to Sogo (Original post)

Fri Jan 10, 2025, 01:58 PM

Jan 10

Is there even one instance?

We can't even get the voters to care about legislation that HAS been passed and helps them directly, much less the failures.

Sogo

(6,069 posts)

4. In years past, the Republicans repeatedly voted on repealing abortion rights.

Reply to thebigidea (Reply #1)

Fri Jan 10, 2025, 02:00 PM

Jan 10

WarGamer

(16,579 posts)

2. Bad idea.

Reply to Sogo (Original post)

Fri Jan 10, 2025, 01:59 PM

Jan 10

How difficult would it be for Jethro B White, the DA of Burning Cross County, Alabama to press charges against ANY Democratic Politician and get a jury verdict?

Your jet broke noise abatement rules... your escort vehicle had an oil leak... you name it.

Hell, I don't think Gov. Newsom could get a fair trial in San Bernardino County

StarryNite

(11,380 posts)

14. You bring up some good points.

Reply to WarGamer (Reply #2)

Fri Jan 10, 2025, 03:22 PM

Jan 10

Seeking Serenity

(3,145 posts)

3. Unconstitutional right from the get-go

Reply to Sogo (Original post)

Fri Jan 10, 2025, 02:00 PM

Jan 10

The Constitution sets the qualifications for president.

Sogo

(6,069 posts)

5. So, introduce a Constitutional amendment.

Reply to Seeking Serenity (Reply #3)

Fri Jan 10, 2025, 02:01 PM

Jan 10

It can be amended, no?

Seeking Serenity

(3,145 posts)

6. Oh, sure. Amendment XXII added a term-limit qualification

Reply to Sogo (Reply #5)

Fri Jan 10, 2025, 02:04 PM

Jan 10

MichMan

(14,425 posts)

10. Yes, but it requires 2/3 of both houses to pass it first.

Reply to Sogo (Reply #5)

Fri Jan 10, 2025, 03:10 PM

Jan 10

After that, 2/3 of the states need to pass it.

markpkessinger

(8,684 posts)

11. Actually, it's 2/3rds of both Houses of Congress, and 3/4ths of the state legislatures n/t

Reply to MichMan (Reply #10)

Fri Jan 10, 2025, 03:15 PM

Jan 10

MichMan

(14,425 posts)

15. Thanks for the correction.

Reply to markpkessinger (Reply #11)

Fri Jan 10, 2025, 03:26 PM

Jan 10

Not going to happen regardless.

Ocelot II

(123,555 posts)

7. There's a problem - the Constitution sets the qualifications for the presidency.

Reply to Sogo (Original post)

Fri Jan 10, 2025, 02:06 PM

Jan 10

And the 14th Amendment already excludes any "officer of the united states" who has "engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof" unless 2/3 of Congress votes to "remove the disability." Unfortunately the questions of whether Trump is an "officer of the United States" or whether he "engaged in insurrection" (since the 1/6 case has gone away) have not been resolved and might not ever be. But Congress can't add a new qualification for the presidency; it would have to be done by Constitutional amendment, as the 14th tried to do.

orangecrush

(23,563 posts)

8. After the horse left the barn

Reply to Sogo (Original post)

Fri Jan 10, 2025, 02:19 PM

Jan 10

I'm getting awful sick and tired of that.

WhiskeyGrinder

(24,457 posts)

9. For what?

Reply to Sogo (Original post)

Fri Jan 10, 2025, 02:23 PM

Jan 10

I don't think a felony conviction should disqualify someone automatically from any job.

markpkessinger

(8,684 posts)

12. You don't think there should be a higher standard for public servants? n/t

Reply to WhiskeyGrinder (Reply #9)

Fri Jan 10, 2025, 03:17 PM

Jan 10

kelly1mm

(5,643 posts)

13. For appointed officials? Sure as they are not voted

Reply to markpkessinger (Reply #12)

Fri Jan 10, 2025, 03:21 PM

Jan 10

Into office. For those that are voted into office the voters can (and should) take into account the persons character and fitness for office but ultimately they get to vote in whom they wish.

DeepWinter

(931 posts)

16. Add in

Reply to Sogo (Original post)

Fri Jan 10, 2025, 03:27 PM

Jan 10

Congress and House members too.

Meowmee

(7,698 posts)

17. As you can see from the replies the system was designed

Reply to Sogo (Original post)

Fri Jan 10, 2025, 03:44 PM

Jan 10

Basically with almost NO qualifications for who can be president or run for some other offices as well. And it also has been built into the system that there is NO way to change it. At least not with the political distribution/ divisions which imo will never change now for sure. Some people seem to be happy with this catch 22 system, saying it’s not constitutional to do this, an amendment won’t pass etc. There seems to be little real will to change it as well. It’s lunacy and it’s a system that is in the process of destroying itself and the country.

Response to Sogo (Original post)

Fla Dem This message was self-deleted by its author.

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