https://newrepublic.com/article/124955/next-supreme-court-challenge-equality-americans
The article I read discussed a man who is known as a political mastermind. He is known for gathering plaintiffs, counsels, ad helps finance litigation in order to try and move the law or make the law more conservative in terms of race and voting. Ed Blum wants to get rid of the fourteenth amendment in order to assure that un-naturalized immigrants, children and others equal representation in America in state legislatures. Blum as started a case known as Enwel vs. Abbott whose main goal is to change the rules for state legislative redistricting. "Blum’s argument is that unnaturalized immigrants, children, and other who lack access to the ballot should not be counted for purposes of legislative representation, which would unquestionably result in a major shift in political power away from urban population centers toward the whiter, more rural areas of the state." It seems Blum's main goal is to allow inequality in voting.
I think this piece connects to Cohen's idea of moral right on the right wing. Cohen uses Robert Nozick to explain moral right. Robert Nozick explains moral right as the idea that everyone as full power over themselves and asserts that everyone else has power over themselves as well. However, he later explains that even though others are entitled,because of their self- ownership no one is entitled without my consent to press into their own or anyone else's service. I think Blum has this right wing idea of moral right. I feel he believes it is his moral right over himself and over others to try and to limit equality among voters. I think he shows a sense of entitled power. He feels entitled to limit others voting for his own personal gain.
Blum appears to be using the 'equality before the law' in his arguments, saying that only those who are not citizens would be barred from being counted. Since you seem to disagree with him, how might you counter his claims? Why should non-citizens (or at least non-voting members of society) be counted when coming up with congressional districts, etc?
ReplyDeleteI think that most unnatural citizens are working on becoming citizens. Also, I believe that since most unnatural citizens try to receive jobs and are required to pay taxes they should have a say and be counted on policies that will affect them in the future.
DeleteI understand where Blum is coming from when he does not want those who are not actually citizens to be counted for purposes of legislative representation, however I do not agree with him. In the end I think that our legislature should be representative of the whole population of where they represent, whether they have citizens, or non-citizens, Ultimately if someone is not a citizens they are still a human living in the United States and deserve to be represented to ensure they are getting their basic human rights that everyone deserves.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely with Hyla. Although Blum's point has value, seeing as It would help the ballot, I believe that it is more important that our legislative representation should represent the whole population. I do think that Blum is tying to show that he is a leader and we should listen to what he says, however I believe that we need to focus on giving everyone the the rights that are granted to them, and they should be able to have a voice.
ReplyDeleteI think what Blum is also showing is that he values freedom more than equality, similar to Nozick. I do see validity is Blum's argument that only citizens should count in legislative vote, but like everyone else has been saying, the outcome of these laws still affect these un-naturalized people in the United States so it doesn't make sense that they shouldn't have a say in rulings even if the law says otherwise.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Devon that Blum seems to value freedom rather than equality as Nozick suggest.This is shown through many of the cases that he supports. However, I do not want to get off topic. He seems to value freedom under his terms in my opinion. He values the freedoms that he wants in place of those who want equality in America.
DeleteEven though these undocumented immigrants are not technically citzens, they still contribute to our society and economy. I agree with Hyla that instead of trying to exclude them from the vote, they should be given the same human rights that everyone else in the US is entitled to.
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