Florida Republicans crying over Bloomberg.

[gab13by13]

I love it. My local right wing site is crying about how rich people can buy politicians. I read them the riot act over Citizens United.

Repugs are claiming that Bloomberg committed a felony;

18 U.S. Code § 597

Whoever makes or offers to make an expenditure to any person, either to vote or withhold his vote, or to vote for or against any candidate; and

Whoever solicits, accepts, or receives any such expenditure in consideration of his vote or the withholding of his vote—

Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both; and if the violation was willful, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.

I replied that Bloomberg is just making a wrong - right. Why do former felons have to be debt free in order to vote? Isn't that a poll tax?

I'm sure that Bloomberg touched all bases with this but I love the smell of red neck panic in the morning.

[mucifer]

1. I don't appreciate being a pawn in the games of billionaires either. BUT desperate times desperate

measures for sure.

It should NEVER have come to this.

[still_one]

7. My take is different. This has nothing to do with being a pawn. This is someone who is

trying to prevent the disenfranchise of people who have paid their debt to society, and are prevented from voting because they cannot afford fines and legal fees It is a poll tax.


"Florida felons must pay all fines, restitution and legal fees before they can regain their right to vote, a federal appellate court ruled Friday in a case that could have broad implications for the November elections.

Reversing a lower court judge’s decision that gave Florida felons the right to vote regardless of outstanding legal obligations, the order from the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the position of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and the GOP-led state Legislature, leaving voting rights activists aghast.

Under Amendment 4, which Florida voters passed overwhelmingly in 2018, felons who have completed their sentences would have voting rights restored. But the legal dispute arose after lawmakers the next year moved to define what it means to complete a sentence."


https://apnews.com/b4f68dd4f11a6df4430fbdc74ae93de3

[bendog]

15. I've never seen oligarch money better spent in politics

My first post, and my opinion on what Bloomberg does is just that, but imagine …. using money directly to allow another person to vote in any way the person chooses. I mean, it's almost like he's paying people's poll taxes in Fla. (-:

[still_one]

16. That is exactly what it is, paying a poll tax. The first court ruling said that you cannot use that

as a criteria for voting. It was appealed by the repugs and over turned

It is disgusting. These are people who have bad their debt to society, and they are working to deny them their right to vote

I hope those impacted by this will take advantage and vote

[marble falls]

17. As much as I don't care for Bloomberg, paying off the fees and fines is an admirable project.

[Rhiannon12866]

18. I completely agree.

[no_hypocrisy]

2. Bloomberg isn't telling anyone who to vote for.

There will be ex-felons who will throw away their vote(s) on Kanye or not vote at all.

And what are Florida republicans bitching about? Tallahassee will be getting much needed revenue without raising taxes.

[gab13by13]

3. He actually isn't even telling them to vote,

if he were he may be violating that statute. I just love it when Democrats fight nasty, keep it coming.

[still_one]

10. Yes, and what I don't like is too many of the outlets are referring to these people as "felons", not

ex-felons, or people who have already paid their debt to society

[mitch96]

11. Agree, he's not telling to vote either way... JUST VOTE........ nt

[cheezmaka]

4. A fine will be nothing but "peanuts" to Bloomberg....

Even $100 million for Bloomberg is like paying a "speeding ticket"..LOL!

[gab13by13]

5. There are like 32,000 former felons

who will be eligible to vote and many more who are not registered. Hurry up Dems let's get them registered.

[BigmanPigman]

6. Bloomberg is a numbers/data guy.

This is his strength. He is no fool and knows what he is doing after much study of the various situations in the states. He is putting his money where he knows it will work best.

[mitch96]

12. " He is putting his money where he knows it will work best"

Better than a tv spot I bet... Longer lasting also.. Teach a man to fish and all that if you catch my drift..
m

[GoCubsGo]

8. Why aren't they going after LeBron James and other athletes, then?

Who doing the same thing. They're just upset that Bloomberg isn't pumping his millions into their coffers. Fuck 'em.

[Demovictory9]

9. hypocrites! Trump only just now gave financial support to Puerto Rico to attempt to win Florida

[LisaL]

13. Cry me a river.

Bloomberg is not telling anybody how to vote.

[pwb]

14. I don't see ex-felons voting our way?

?