“Ensure registered sex offenders fully feel the effects of being on the registry” is what they are calling it?
Apparently, being on the registry just isn’t uncomfortable enough. According to a recent article in the Floridian Press, Greg Steube and another Florida lawmaker are proposing legislation to make sure registrants “fully feel the effects of being on the registry.” One bill would block access to ACA/Medicaid benefits. Another would restrict parental rights.
The exact quote in the article is “Ensure registered sex offenders fully feel the effects of being on the registry”. Fully feel the effects? You mean like make sure we receive all the benefits of this membership?
I thought the registry was supposed to be civil and remedial, not punitive. Remember when the Supreme Court told us this was all just a regulatory scheme? In Smith v. Doe, the Court assured everyone that registration was not punishment. Chief Justice John Roberts once famously suggested registration was no more burdensome than signing up for a price club membership.
But when I renew my Costco membership, I don’t also lose access to public benefits, get banned from entire swaths of society, risk losing my kids, and have lawmakers brainstorming new ways to make sure I “fully feel” it each year. It’s kinda not the same vibe.
So which is it? Is the registry an administrative tool designed to protect the public? Or is it a punishment buffet where legislators compete to see who can add the spiciest new collateral consequence?
If the goal were actually public safety, the media would be talking about evidence-based policy, rehabilitation, reintegration, and reducing recidivism. Instead, we’re debating whether denying healthcare and limiting family formation will make people “feel the effects” hard enough.
Welcome to Price Club. The membership warehouse where we take away all benefits.
Discover more from Florida Action Committee (FAC)
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I’m a legitimate beneficiary of Medicaid and was approved via my disablity. The “tapping in” – moniker used the press release – is intentionally inflammatory and makes us sound “sinister” like we’re exploiting a loophole or something. Our pre-existing rights are NOT loopholes for ANY lawmaker to close to score political points in wake of the current climate of outrage against pedophiles. Once again we see a lawmaker expoliting the ignorace of the voters and rabble-rousing with hate. WE had absolutely NOTHING to do with Epstein, his actions behavior or abuse patterns, yet we’re all being targeted with this bill predictably in an attempt to capitalize and cash-in on the outrage.
We are real people, with real famlies and real lives.
This bill states that our actual existence and longetivity doesn’t matter.
This bill needs to be rescinded ASAP. It’s an afront and an attack on human LIFE, intentionally punitive in scope and is a brazen attempt to circumvent the Constitution.
I feel this is a shot across the bow. Before sure they tried to make our lives hard(and have). But this is intended to actual cause our death. All of us will be to old to work one day and will Medicaid benefits. We can go to the ER/hospital they have to treat you for things(say chest pains) that appear life threatening. But ER visits are very expensive. The state or tax payers are going to pay for it one way or another. You cant get blood from a turnip. Next I see them trying to take away our social security. If this passes we need to get creative and cost them alot more money. And start keeping a running total of our bills. Most people will support it until it hits their pocket books directly.
@Purely
I am starting to feel like we are turning into a leper colony in the eyes of the law makers. We have been shunned, denied, challenged, punished (Although they say none of it is punishment) and kicked when we are already down.
And these new requirements do not just affect us, but our families, loved ones and any friends or neighbors who actually tolerate us. When the deputies come to my house, neighbors are always asking “Why are the cops always at your house?” I have asked that question myself for decades.
We are not powerless in fighting these types of laws. True, lawsuits are one of the ways to fight, and as Cherokee pointed out they are time consuming and costly.
BUT, even though we cannot vote (at least in Florida) there is plenty we can do through the political process. If we live in districts represented by people who actively try to destroy us, then we have to work against them. A few examples, get a bunch of signs from their opponent and plaster them all over town. They will start getting a bit nervous when they travel down streets full of opponents signs. You can post them along roads etc. Even in ruby red districts like the one this guy represents, it will send a message. Get your friends who can vote to the polls, especially those not likely to vote in non presidential elections. I make sure my family has their absentee ballots and that they are filled out and submitted on time. Every vote counts. Give them rides, remind them, help them with absentee ballots. Call out of state family and friends to make sure they vote this November. Make sure all your relatives who are over 18 are registered and if they aren’t help them to get the forms to do so. It is astounding how many people over 18 aren’t registered.
If you don’t live in their district, then work for the representative in yours by doing the same. These guys are in power now and it is easier for them to introduce legislation. Put them in the minority party, at least in the House, and their legislation goes nowhere. There are lots of organizations who ask that you write postcards and make calls to remind voters to get our and vote.
FAC is a fantastic organization who has helped each and every one of us. But they can’t and shouldn’t do this alone. Get involved in any way you can and as you can see from my suggestions it wont cost much at all.
We had an old saying back in the day. “Lead, follow, or get the f*** out of the way.” Time to pick.
What remove my child from me. I am not a sexual predator but if I was , I should still have the right to raise my child , if required to do so.
they don’t even hide the punitive aspect any more.
If they are not hiding it then they are admitting it which is usable in courts.
One thing that they can’t take away from us is Medicare. This is something that we’ve all paid into since we started working unlike Medicaid.
Peter
If there is a way, they will find it if they hate us enough. The only way to override these cruel and unusual punishments, is to file lawsuits, that can take years to go through and win or lose, we lose the money people have donated to the cause. (Lose meaning it is not recouped)
Give it time, Peter
We also pay taxes and can’t vote, go to public parks, travel freely, go to a library, etc. Legislators cannot help them selves because it’s easy for them to add more punishment on us then to tackle actual issues.