Should dogs be allowed to vote? According to one columnist, yes; in fact, it’s overdue.
This past week, The Free Lance-Star featured an opinion piece written by Donnie Johnston. In the article, Johnston argues that as members of our families, it’s high time we give dogs the vote.
And just in case you were wondering, Johnston says, “You think I am kidding. I am not.”
Why Should Dogs Vote?
According to Johnston, dogs have become “much more than just pets.” For many people, Johnston argues, their dogs are family. And some people hold their dogs “in higher esteem than blood relatives.”
This being the case, Johnston posits that dogs should have the same rights as any family member. Furthermore, Johnston also claims that Americans would overwhelmingly support a constitutional amendment granting our canine compatriots full state and national benefits. Beyond just voting, such an amendment would make dogs eligible for Medicare and Social Security, to name a few.
Most notably, Johnston believes that since dogs should be fully-fledged citizens, the government should also be responsible for their education. To this end, Johnston argues for “state-funded obedience schools and doggie care facilities” to ensure all dogs receive an adequate education.
Finally, Johnston also argues that any pro-dog vote legislation must also state that dogs can be claimed as dependents for state and federal tax purposes. According to his logic, “Many owners spend as much on their dogs as they do their children”.
Not the Worst Idea in the World
Of course, it’s easy to conclude that Johnston writes all this in jest. Extending the right to vote to one animal would create a litany of issues, the least of which would be dealing with cat parents’ responses. However, Johnston does make one good point: when it comes to letting dogs vote, “They couldn’t make any worse decisions than humans do. And they might even make better choices.”
People have even joked about which parties dogs and cats would vote for if they could – what do you think?
