There are more and more teenagers becoming interested and involved with today's politics. We should have a choice about who will run our country, shouldn't we? I think that the voting age should be lowered. I know that there are many people that don't care who runs our nation, but for the ones who really want to have a say about who our next leader should be, they should be allowed to pick. What do you think? Do you think the voting age is too high?

yes!!!!!!

why is it that an 18 year old can fight and die in a war but not choose the man who sent him off to war ? Doesn't make any sense. Besides i know alot of 18 year olds who a hell of alot more than some adults

it's fine where it is if it ain't broke don't fix it

it shoudl definatley be lowered ...im only 12 and i think i am more well informed than some of the 18 year olds i know

quote:

---

I know I've made that point before, but the problem is that my argument is the only legal argument (or constitutionally correct one)

---

The only constitutionally correct one that has been made.

quote:

---

Originally posted by yogore:
They are legal adults though. It is a right for adults to vote.

And you've made that point before Hydrok.

---

I know I've made that point before, but the problem is that my argument is the only legal argument (or constitutionally correct one)

They are legal adults though. It is a right for adults to vote.

And you've made that point before Hydrok.

quote:

---

Originally posted by yogore:

quote:

---

It sounds like you are saying that a certain age is a cutoff point, but age and maturity are two separate things.

---

I am aware of that. You have to estimate an age though. I think that we can agree, 7 year olds are not mature enough to vote. Alot of teenagers aren't very mature, which is okay. It is not okay when you ask the immature to vote on important matters.

---

I know some 40-60 year olds that shouldnt be allowed to vote, but thats beside the point...

Very simple solution, when you can prove that you have given the government money in the form of taxes you get to vote, it doesn't matter if your informed or not, IT IS YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE IF YOU ARE BEING TAXED. thats the only argument there is.

quote:

---

It sounds like you are saying that a certain age is a cutoff point, but age and maturity are two separate things.

---

I am aware of that. You have to estimate an age though. I think that we can agree, 7 year olds are not mature enough to vote. Alot of teenagers aren't very mature, which is okay. It is not okay when you ask the immature to vote on important matters.

quote:

---

That would allow any ages and not all ages are ready to vote.

---

It sounds like you are saying that a certain age is a cutoff point, but age and maturity are two separate things.

This is a tough issue. It seems like no matter what no solution to the problem would completely work.

quote:

---

Of course especially for those who are activaley interested in the process. If people show intutive,and care about the subjects they should be allowed to vote.

---

That would allow any ages and not all ages are ready to vote.

Of course especially for those who are activaley interested in the process. If people show intutive,and care about the subjects they should be allowed to vote.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Hydrok:

quote:

---

Originally posted by whyamihere:
Hmmmm, the idea of testing to determine voting status is an attractive one. But what about the poor and uneducated people who simply may not have the opportunity to learn the subtleties of our political structure. Even though they don't have a thorough understanding of the process, the issues that the government decides still affects them. Simply because one does not understand the political system does not mean that one cannot understand clearly stated issues. By implementing a test solely based on a person's knowledge of political procedure, one could give an advantage to someone who's grown up in an upper class school (and who has thus had access to a better form of education most likely) above someone who's grown up in a poor community where education is substandard or not even a viable option due to work, etc. Testing does seem to be a possible solution but the method in which it would be conducted is questionable. Voter education and awareness does need to be raised, but again, the process of doing so effectively is open to debate.

---

Voters licenses are unconstitutional. end of story so drop it.

---

Didn't mean to sound like I was advocating voter licenses, I only meant to explore the attraction of the idea independent from the current system. Is it wrong to simply hypothesize about a workable political system. I seriously doubt that many of us here will actually affect any of the changes we so adamantly debate about, but then that's my pessimism talking. Not that people here are not brilliant or politically sound, but simply the likelihood of an individual overriding the current system is low. Therefore, our duty on these boards is to merely theorize. Yes, keeping in mind the legality of our proposals but also remembering that the country's laws are subject to an ever-changing social perspective and that even the constitution can be ammended.
That being said, I myself have arrived at the conclusion that voter licenses would result in simply another fallible system because there is no fair and equitable way to assess a person's capacity to make informed decisions. Although we all know that there are those out there who vote without actually considering the implications or reasoning for themselves there is currently (I don't think) no way to solve this problem except through voter education. Hence my last sentence.
All right, enough of my rambling. As you can see, I have a hard time dropping it. Please excuse it for I am only doing so because I am interested in whether or not we can reason out the "truth" behind the matter.

quote:

---

I have never had a congressman actually take me seriously when I talk to him about it... or Schumer **** head for that matter.

---

Well, it needs support by lots of people. In Jamaica Plain (an area here in MA), a bunch of teenagers were granted the right to vote. I think it was 16 and up.

quote:

---

Originally posted by yogore:
I hadn't noticed that you were the one who brought up taxation without representation. But saying nothing is going to change isn't a positive or effective solution to the matter.

---

I have never had a congressman actually take me seriously when I talk to him about it... or Schumer **** head for that matter.

I hadn't noticed that you were the one who brought up taxation without representation. But saying nothing is going to change isn't a positive or effective solution to the matter.

quote:

---

Originally posted by yogore:

quote:

---

Voters licenses are unconstitutional. end of story so drop it.

---

So is taxation without representation, which is happening to teenager workers.

---

And it just so happened that I brought up both of these points... wild isn't it :0

yes it is happening and nothings gonna change it because the government loves free money

quote:

---

Voters licenses are unconstitutional. end of story so drop it.

---

So is taxation without representation, which is happening to teenager workers.

quote:

---

Originally posted by whyamihere:
Hmmmm, the idea of testing to determine voting status is an attractive one. But what about the poor and uneducated people who simply may not have the opportunity to learn the subtleties of our political structure. Even though they don't have a thorough understanding of the process, the issues that the government decides still affects them. Simply because one does not understand the political system does not mean that one cannot understand clearly stated issues. By implementing a test solely based on a person's knowledge of political procedure, one could give an advantage to someone who's grown up in an upper class school (and who has thus had access to a better form of education most likely) above someone who's grown up in a poor community where education is substandard or not even a viable option due to work, etc. Testing does seem to be a possible solution but the method in which it would be conducted is questionable. Voter education and awareness does need to be raised, but again, the process of doing so effectively is open to debate.

---

Voters licenses are unconstitutional. end of story so drop it.

Hmmmm, the idea of testing to determine voting status is an attractive one. But what about the poor and uneducated people who simply may not have the opportunity to learn the subtleties of our political structure. Even though they don't have a thorough understanding of the process, the issues that the government decides still affects them. Simply because one does not understand the political system does not mean that one cannot understand clearly stated issues. By implementing a test solely based on a person's knowledge of political procedure, one could give an advantage to someone who's grown up in an upper class school (and who has thus had access to a better form of education most likely) above someone who's grown up in a poor community where education is substandard or not even a viable option due to work, etc. Testing does seem to be a possible solution but the method in which it would be conducted is questionable. Voter education and awareness does need to be raised, but again, the process of doing so effectively is open to debate.