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[–] -2 points 1 week ago (17 children)

Foreign heads of states should not be allowed to vote.

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  • [–] 44 points 1 week ago (8 children)

    Why not? If they are citiziens they have the same rights as everyone else.

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  • [+] -6 points 1 week ago (7 children)

    They have a glaring conflict of interests, because their primary duty is to the states they head, not to the United States.

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  • [–] 46 points 1 week ago (6 children)

    Wouldn't that be true for many people who vote, and that's why voting is done en masse, to track the interests of the whole populace? Many people have 'duties' to things which are not their country, would you also say that someone who is dedicated to their job shouldn't vote because their 'primary duty' is not to the United States, but to a corporation?

    It's not like he's in a position of power in the political system, it's just one vote.

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  • [–] 0 points 1 week ago (3 children)

    Most people aren't the head of a foreign country.

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  • [–] 22 points 1 week ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (2 children)

    So the fuck what? It’s one damn vote out of millions. Let’s have a little perspective here, eh?

    And if your argument is going to be that they can influence others to vote like them, well, I present to you (gestures all around) all religions and political parties!

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  • [–] -4 points 1 week ago* (1 child)

    No it's literally just that foreign heads of state, regardless of citizenship status. I would also go so far as to say foreign heads of state should not be able to hold dual citizenship, but that's more of a problem for members of that state, not the state they're also a citizen of.

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  • [–] 4 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

    You still haven’t explained why being a foreign head of state is any different than having a job in the US. Your point was their devotion, but so what?

    Is your concern that their vote reflects their political beliefs? That’s silly, don’t you think? Of course it reflects their political beliefs.

    Is your concern that their political beliefs may reasonably be aligned with the destruction of the US? That’s a bit far fetched, don’t you think?

    But regardless, he’s an American. If he wants to destroy the state, shouldn’t he be free to vote that way?

    Or, are you concerned that, by acting as head of state, his actions would arguable be that of the state he represents? Meaning… it’s not Leo XIV voting, it’s the Pope?

    You don’t make that same conclusion when the president votes, do you?

    Should Trump not be allowed to vote because he’s the head of MAGA? Surely MAGA is worse than Pope, right?

    I’m really struggling to find the coherency in your perspective. Can you help me out?

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  • [–] -5 points 1 week ago (1 child)

    He is Monarch and absolute sovereign of Vatican city, that places him in the political spectrum.

    As pope he is head of the Catholic Church, that gives him incredible reach and influence over Catholics around the world.

    Can you imagine if it got out who he voted for?

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  • [–] 21 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

    It wouldn’t be much different from any other celebrity declaring who they’re going to vote for.

    Different social classes, within the same country, have different interests. That is where the root of much conflict lies.

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  • [–] 11 points 1 week ago (1 child)

    Actually yeah, this raises a good question. I’m gonna go look stuff up instead of jumping to answers though.

    At least for now, Illinois has no problem with him voting, so I’m gonna find out why.

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  • [–] 38 points 1 week ago

    From what I understand, a pope does not have to renounce their citizenship, though some choose to.

    Furthermore, the US Department of State can review American citizens acting as heads of state for other nations, and may revoke voting rights. The Department of State has decided not to, not whatever reason.

    Thus, Pope Leo can vote.

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  • [+] -18 points 1 week ago (4 children)

    Imo it has nothing to do with head of state, no one living abroad permanently should vote in their home country. I get the reason, they're citizens and one of the fundamental right that comes with that is the right to vote, but it makes no sense. People should vote where they live and where their vote directly affects their them.

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  • [–] 20 points 1 week ago (3 children)

    They're still obligated to pay US taxes if they're US citizens. Other countries with different tax policies I can perhaps get behind that somewhat, though.

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  • [–] 22 points 1 week ago (1 child)

    It's not only taxes.

    My kid is trans, our home country's trans acceptance policies and free speech policies impact our passport renewal process.

    I live in another country, my home country's foreign policy decisions directly impact my ability to live and work in my residence country and impacts how and which countries I can travel through.

    Decisions made in my home country can impact my life on the other side of the world, education, free speech, and anti corruption policies indirectly impact me by influencing voting behaviour in my home country.

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