On Cinco de Mayo the Hartford Public Library is hosting what promises to be a lively discussion:
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Refreshments at 5:30 PM; Program at 6:00 PM
Hartford Public Library, 500 Main StreetShould we allow non-citizen immigrants to vote in local elections?
Hear what community members have to say and give your opinion.Moderator
Renae Reese, Connecticut Center for a New Economy
IMMIGRANTS AND THE POWER OF THE VOTE
A Community Conversation
The Immigrant Perspective
Brian Libert, Trinidad
Arka Mikel, Micronesia Pacific IslandsThe Local Perspective
Luis Cotto, Hartford City Councilman
Abigail Amorim, Aliança Brasileira – The Brazilian Alliance
Robert Fishman, President, CT Immigrant & Refugee Coalition (invited)
Peter Goselin, Attorney, Member of Hartford Immigrant Rights Coalition
Michael McGarry, Chair, Hartford Republican Town Committee
This is free. There is parking behind the library and on-street.
lobonick
I must first preface this and say that sometimes I am not a huge believer in democracy itself. Having said that, I would say that non-citizens should be able to vote. The citizen vs. non-citizen distinction is not a productive dividing line if society expects to come together and flourish. Allowing voting rights for non-citizens will bring non-citizens into the fold in a more productive fashion.
Non-citizens should productively move towards citizenship. Making them feel more part of the process is a better way to achieve this goal.
question: do non-citizens have to pay taxes ???