https://democraticunderground.com/100214119544RandySF (33,938 posts)
Bloomberg pays fines for 32,000 felons in Florida so they can vote
Billionaire Michael Bloomberg has reportedly raised more than $16 million in an effort to help convicted felons in Florida register to vote.
The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition estimated Bloomberg's fundraising push has already paid off monetary obligations for 32,000 felons, Axios reported.
"The right to vote is fundamental to our democracy and no American should be denied that right," a Bloomberg spokesperson told the news outlet. "Working together with the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, we are determined to end disenfranchisement and the discrimination that has always driven it."
Florida passed a law in 2018 reinstating voting rights for felons that dictated they could register only if they pay all fines, fees and restitution — sometimes totaling more than $1,000 — owed to the government.
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers Florida, last week ruled to uphold the law.
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/517522-bloomberg-pays-fines-for-32000-felons-in-florida-so-they-can-vote
Heard quite a bit about this on the news last night, then I listened to some of the news/opinions shows and got a little fuller picture of what Bloomy is doing. He's buying votes. There can be no other way to interpret it and I hope they drop the hammer on him. The people they are paying off their debts to society have to be registered to vote and they must be black or hispanic.
Another thing that will come up is the tax implications for the people who've had their debt forgiven, but honestly ... these people don't pay taxes in the first place so I don't see that being an issue.
Let's see what the DUmmies think of this grand idea!
roamer65 (21,986 posts)
1. That could give it to Biden.
Why do they never recognize they are always pulling for felons to vote, without recognizing ... they automatically assume most felons will vote democrat ... Hmmmmm. I honestly think they're correct, given the choice in my job if I could vote in a boss who let me do whatever the **** I wanted to do with no recriminations, I'd have run of the place.
Le Roi de Pot (182 posts)
3. I know lots of people hate him here .. but I could myself getting behind him had
He won the Democratic Primary.
I am aware of his baggage ...
Skittles (131,023 posts)
19. he is inconsistent but ultimately, the man cares
yes indeed
Hoyt (45,282 posts)
5. Appreciate his help and commitment.
But of course the armed robber is appreciative.
brewens (8,291 posts)
6. I heard an audible OOF! all the way out here in Idaho on that one! Oh boy is that gonna piss
Trump and his followers off!
crickets (12,888 posts)
7. Brilliant.
And the right thing to do, on so many levels.
:sings: donnie's gonna be ma-aad. Ha!
Finally someone tells the rest of the story, kinda.
LisaL (36,343 posts)
12. They are already registered.
"Bloomberg’s initiative—which was also financed by $5 million from the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition—will assist Black and Latino voters who were already registered to vote and have debts of less than $1,500."
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackbrewster/2020/09/22/bloomberg-raises-millions-so-floridians-convicted-of-felonies-can-pay-off-fines-and-vote/
Could white felons sue because they were discriminated against?
radius777 (2,113 posts)
22. Bloomberg has his flaws but he cares about the world
and is willing to put his money on the table and get it done. We need powerful people like this on our side who can effect major change on the issues confronting our time.
Uhm, I'll bet there are some poor, white, felons in FL who would disagree with your statement about caring about the world. Sounds like he only cares about VOTES.
KC
