ToC:Resolved in a democratic society felons ought to retain the right to vote.

I will post my argument and then rebut my opponent's contentions in subsequent rounds. I will also provide a few definitions for this round. * Democratic - representing or appealing to or adapted for the benefit of the people at large [1] * Society - an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization [2] * Felon(s) - A serious criminal offense, which, under federal law, is punishable by death or imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. [3] * Ought - used to express obligation. [4] * Retain - to keep in possession or use. [5] Hence a democratic society would be a group of people or culture sharing a representative or other directly - elected government. Observations: Felons in this sense can and will represent both incarcerated and ex - felons. The burden of proof rests with PRO to prove that it is acceptable and morally correct to allow both the privilege to vote. Value : Societal welfare - The well being of a society in matters of health, safety, order, and economics. However this debate will mostly focus on safety and order. It has been noted that the value of a democratic society hinges on whether or not the constituents are safe. When there is disorder and lack of safety the value of democracy is depleted. Value Criterion : Utilitarian punishment - A punishment that serves to benefit the most amount of people after its implementation. Contention 1 : Right vs. Privilege -- In today's society it seems as though the line between rights and privileges have been significantly blurred. It is a privilege, not a right to vote and felons ought to recognize this. A 'right' is something that is generally inherent - 'right' to life, 'right' to die, etc. , however, when a person is born, they are not guaranteed a right to vote. For example, children and the mentally unstable are not permitted to vote. If we allow felons who often times commit egregious crimes to vote we might as well let well - read 4th graders do the same. Voting is a privilege that is earned. This privilege is earned when one reaches the age of 18 and is responsible and competent enough to make a good decision. Felons lack in this maturity and responsibility, and therefore should not be granted the privilege to vote. Contention 2 : Rational thought process -- Felons have blurred the line between right and wrong and in the process have stripped other citizens of life, liberty and other unalienable rights. This is heinously unfair and should not be tolerated. When we cannot trust felons to function as average/contributing members of society then they cannot be trusted to make decisions that concern the well - being of others. Felons have shown that they do not follow through with rational decisions and cannot be trusted to differentiate between right and wrong. As a result, there is no guarantee that they will make the right decisions when it comes to voting and on other issues. Contention 3 : Disenfranchisement is a utilitarian punishment -- By not allowing felons or ex - felons to vote, we are providing a punishment that benefits the most amount of people. Seeing as felons do not make up a vast majority, restricting their privilege to vote promotes the societal welfare of other citizens. When felons decide to tear apart the social and moral fabric and infringe on societal welfare of other citizens they should be expected to lose privileges. By denying incarcerated felons as well as ex - felons the privilege to vote we are ensuring that the voting base can make rational, well - thought out decisions. Not ideas actuated through impulse.