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Discussion Boards => Off-Topic => Debate & Discuss => Topic started by: sdecaro558 on January 26, 2012, 06:20:32 am
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I think the voting age should be lowered in this country to 14 years old. If you're 14, with a parent's consent, you can get working papers and be gainfully employed. It is likely only a part time job, but it's still a job, on the books, and you're getting taxes taken out of that. Because you're too young to vote, that is taxation without representation.
Let's hear some opinions on this.
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I think the voting age should be lowered in this country to 14 years old. If you're 14, with a parent's consent, you can get working papers and be gainfully employed. It is likely only a part time job, but it's still a job, on the books, and you're getting taxes taken out of that. Because you're too young to vote, that is taxation without representation.
Let's hear some opinions on this.
This absolutely ture about what you say. But generally speeking are these young 14 year olds actually old enough for their votes not to influence by what they hear their parent say, but instead of they turely know about politics and politicans? If so then yes, if not then no.
Get back to me on some opinions.
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I would say yes. Your point is completely valid. Plus I was the one interested in voting when I was in 3rd grade. That is to young, but it shows that lots of kids that work even at 16 do not get to vote, but should get the option. I mean most adults don't vote, so what would be the harm in letting everyone who pays taxes vote. Even young adults have rights. People under estimate the amount that kids want to contribute. Plus if they had the option sooner alot more people would vote when they are older.
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I am generally against this idea unless you suddenly have seen a bunch of super wise juveniles running around. In general voting should be discouraged unless the person voting has an idea bout what is involved. It already seems more like a popularity contest or some sort of american idol type voting method being used by most. I would suspect that most of these younger people couldn't even tell you who the VP was or the secretary of state, or name one single supreme court justice, or explain the significance of the constitution, or even be aware that we live in a Republic and not a Democracy, and many other pertinent issues that should be the minimum requirements of being reasonable to cast an informed ballot. Do you really want people voting who are unaware of those things?
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:wave: they should be able to vote if they have proof of employment and pass a test on government and current affairs. the test is to make sure they voting their opinion and their parents view. also to make sure they are making mature well infomed decisions on important issues. so yes if they are paying taxes and are mature and informed let them vote
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That is an awful idea. Most 18 year olds are not smart enough to vote let only a 14 year old.
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Do you really want people voting who are unaware of those things?
What are the significant differences between having a 14, 18, 21, 30, 40, 50, 60 or 70 year old voter who is unaware of those aspects and yet, may vote any which way?
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Do you really want people voting who are unaware of those things?
What are the significant differences between having a 14, 18, 21, 30, 40, 50, 60 or 70 year old voter who is unaware of those aspects and yet, may vote any which way?
Probably about the same as it would regarding drinking and age.
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Sure, let's go ahead and allow 14 year olds to vote. Since that would also give them the ability to vote on many issues involving the law/legality of things such as abortion, same sex marriage, etc., on a state and national level, when they happen to commit a crime they will in turn be treated at the adult level. No more expunging of juvenile crimes when they reach 18 or 21. If they are male, they should also be required to follow the military drafting law that all male U.S. citizens, and male aliens living in the U.S., who are ages 18 through 25, must register with the Selective Service System. We will simply change the threshold to 14- 25 years of age. While we are at it, it's a no brainer to also give them a drivers license even though it is fact that 14 year olds brains do NOT have the capacity to react or think ahead more than ~3 minutes as far as consequences for actions. *No, please don't insert the argument as to 'old people' and their reaction time while driving. It has zero to do with this right now.*
This list could go on and on, but if you are reading this and able to comprehend what I have said, you will get the point. ;) There are certainly 14 year olds out there with more knowledge and capacity to research/ understand how the voting process works vs many in their 30's. I am NOT saying that age is always a restriction when it comes down to certain things. Personally, I don't want to walk into the voting booth and see Justin Bieber's name under write in candidates......
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Do you really want people voting who are unaware of those things?
What are the significant differences between having a 14, 18, 21, 30, 40, 50, 60 or 70 year old voter who is unaware of those aspects and yet, may vote any which way?
Probably about the same as it would regarding drinking and age.
Semi-arbitrary as that may be, what about a 'voting competency test' for voters of any age? Something along the lines of issue awareness, not as a pre-voting poll disguised as a competency test.
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Sure, let's go ahead and allow 14 year olds to vote. Since that would also give them the ability to vote on many issues involving the law/legality of things such as abortion, same sex marriage, etc., on a state and national level, when they happen to commit a crime they will in turn be treated at the adult level. No more expunging of juvenile crimes when they reach 18 or 21.
I concur; the 'right' to vote ought to be linked to other responsibilities and obligations as well.
If they are male, they should also be required to follow the military drafting law that all male U.S. citizens, and male aliens living in the U.S., who are ages 18 through 25, must register with the Selective Service System. We will simply change the threshold to 14- 25 years of age.
Since you brought up the point of the military draft, shouldn't females who are eligible to vote and are of draft age also be subject to the draft?
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Do you really want people voting who are unaware of those things?
What are the significant differences between having a 14, 18, 21, 30, 40, 50, 60 or 70 year old voter who is unaware of those aspects and yet, may vote any which way?
Probably about the same as it would regarding drinking and age.
Semi-arbitrary as that may be, what about a 'voting competency test' for voters of any age? Something along the lines of issue awareness, not as a pre-voting poll disguised as a competency test.
While I like the general idea of this but am not sure that it is constitutional. It could be somewhat like the basic citizenship exams and would have to avoid any policy issues. The reason we have an electoral college is actually because of these issues and that the founders didn't think the average citizen was aware enough to cast a 'reasonably informed vote'. Honestly they were probably correct I would guess, but I am not sure that the electoral system properly fulfills its initial reason for being.
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Semi-arbitrary as that may be, what about a 'voting competency test' for voters of any age? Something along the lines of issue awareness, not as a pre-voting poll disguised as a competency test.
I think they used to do something like that in Alabama.
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What about a 'voting competency test' for voters of any age? Something along the lines of issue awareness, not as a pre-voting poll disguised as a competency test.
I think they used to do something like that in Alabama.
Did they discontinue such testing when no voters were able to qualify?
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It could be somewhat like the basic citizenship exams and would have to avoid any policy issues.
Given the general awareness levels of the general voting public, it may have to be multiple-choice, (avoiding actual policy issues and asking potential voters if they are aware of which platform issues attach to which candidates, for instance).
The reason we have an electoral college is actually because of these issues and that the founders didn't think the average citizen was aware enough to cast a 'reasonably informed vote'. Honestly they were probably correct I would guess, but I am not sure that the electoral system properly fulfills its initial reason for being.
Ever since high school civics class, I'd wondered why voters continue to believe that they vote for presidential candidates instead of the way their election works through the electoral college. Based on that, I wouldn't have a lot confidence in most of them casting an informed vote.
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The reason we have an electoral college is actually because of these issues and that the founders didn't think the average citizen was aware enough to cast a 'reasonably informed vote'. Honestly they were probably correct I would guess, but I am not sure that the electoral system properly fulfills its initial reason for being.
Ever since high school civics class, I'd wondered why voters continue to believe that they vote for presidential candidates instead of the way their election works through the electoral college. Based on that, I wouldn't have a lot confidence in most of them casting an informed vote.
It is funny you mention that as I am sure that most think it is direct vote based. Even when they hear about delegate pick ups from states during votes and comparisons to 'popular vote' they still don't seem to get it. I guess it will take a massive discrepancy in delegates to popular vote before they start to clue in.
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It is funny you mention that as I am sure that most think it is direct vote based. Even when they hear about delegate pick ups from states during votes and comparisons to 'popular vote' they still don't seem to get it. I guess it will take a massive discrepancy in delegates to popular vote before they start to clue in.
There have been a few such discrepencies in past elections, (I'd have to look up the exact instances, however). Some may have been clued-in when these occurred while others either don't recall such instances or, didn't catch on regardless.
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I don't think anyone at 14 has enough life experience or knows enough about politics to be competent enough to vote, no matter how "mature" they are.
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That is an awful idea. Most 18 year olds are not smart enough to vote let only a 14 year old.
You severely underestimate the intelligence of teenagers. Give them some credit, some are beyond ready to start voting, and know more about the political ongoings than the average adult!
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Sure, let's go ahead and allow 14 year olds to vote. Since that would also give them the ability to vote on many issues involving the law/legality of things such as abortion, same sex marriage, etc., on a state and national level, when they happen to commit a crime they will in turn be treated at the adult level. No more expunging of juvenile crimes when they reach 18 or 21.
I concur; the 'right' to vote ought to be linked to other responsibilities and obligations as well.
If they are male, they should also be required to follow the military drafting law that all male U.S. citizens, and male aliens living in the U.S., who are ages 18 through 25, must register with the Selective Service System. We will simply change the threshold to 14- 25 years of age.
Since you brought up the point of the military draft, shouldn't females who are eligible to vote and are of draft age also be subject to the draft?
I think females should be subject to the draft as well. It's only fair.
As for voting age, I agree that the voting rights should be linked with other responsibilities and consequences (like those mentioned in earlier posts). And as for those few 14 year olds working...they are not going to be working full time or anything; labor laws prevent that. When I lived in TN, the only way a 14 year old could get a job was if the family had a sufficient need for the income, and even then the 14 year old was limited to farm related jobs. No one would hire anyone under 16.
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maybe not 14...16 would have been a better choice, imo, with parental permission, of course. I just want kids to have a better understanding on how politics work these days.
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I think females should be subject to the draft as well. It's only fair.
The symmetry would seem obvious. Afterall, if women were drafted, (and registering for the draft doesn't mean they would be in the current all-volunteer force paradigm), they wouldn't necessarily be assigned to combat positions. Although they are not presently assigned to combat positions, there's no inherent reason why women could not perform combat functions at some future time, (as the military forces have other nations have shown).
As for voting age, I agree that the voting rights should be linked with other responsibilities and consequences (like those mentioned in earlier posts).
Do you think that voting 'rights' should not apply unless those linked responsibilities, obligations and consequences also apply?
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As for voting age, I agree that the voting rights should be linked with other responsibilities and consequences (like those mentioned in earlier posts).
Do you think that voting 'rights' should not apply unless those linked responsibilities, obligations and consequences also apply?
In terms of "mental responsibility", sure. If you are deemed competent enough to vote, you should also be considered competent enough to be held responsible for all of your actions in other aspects of your life. For example, someone who commits a crime and is declared mentally incompetent should not be allowed to vote until such time as they are no longer "mentally incompetent".
On the other hand, physical capabilities should have no bearing on voting rights.
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As for voting age, I agree that the voting rights should be linked with other responsibilities and consequences (like those mentioned in earlier posts).
Do you think that voting 'rights' should not apply unless those linked responsibilities, obligations and consequences also apply?
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In terms of "mental responsibility", sure. If you are deemed competent enough to vote, you should also be considered competent enough to be held responsible for all of your actions in other aspects of your life. For example, someone who commits a crime and is declared mentally incompetent should not be allowed to vote until such time as they are no longer "mentally incompetent".
By extension, are you inherently for some sort of competency test for potential voters?
On the other hand, physical capabilities should have no bearing on voting rights.
If women were drafted, (and registering for the draft doesn't mean they would be in the current all-volunteer force paradigm), they wouldn't necessarily be assigned to combat positions. Nevertheless, anyone who is physically-restricted from military service need not be concerned about being drafted.
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i think 14 is way to young.my own son is 20 and not registered a year or so ago when we were voting for governor in cal. i told him he should register and vote he said vote for who" i said well jerry brown is running he shook his head and said "isn't he the black singer who died a ways back" no i said that was james brown so that was that.i will try to get him to register and vote for well james brown might be good.
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That is an awful idea. Most 18 year olds are not smart enough to vote let only a 14 year old.
You are so right. It's bad enough that 18 yo's get to vote when they don't truly have any idea how the things politicians are saying will affect them and their families.
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I agree with 14 being the voting age. I'm sure by 14, you'd understand how america works these days. They'll make a difference, esp. this year's elections.
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I agree with 14 being the voting age. I'm sure by 14, you'd understand how america works these days. They'll make a difference, esp. this year's elections.
I may not be picking up on it right now, my brain is very tired from a long night working, but please tell me you are being sarcastic here?! You cannot honestly think a 14 year old understands "how america works these days" when a great percentage of people with decades of life experience have NO clue, can you? If you are serious, perhaps it's best if you vote in another country and not this one.... :confused1: :P
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I agree with 14 being the voting age. I'm sure by 14, you'd understand how america works these days. They'll make a difference, esp. this year's elections.
I may not be picking up on it right now, my brain is very tired from a long night working, but please tell me you are being sarcastic here?! You cannot honestly think a 14 year old understands "how america works these days" when a great percentage of people with decades of life experience have NO clue, can you? If you are serious, perhaps it's best if you vote in another country and not this one.... :confused1: :P
Not sure if they were being sarcastic or not however, most 14 year olds cannot tell you how their own family's economy works, let alone how voting or the country's economy works.
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It may make sense, but shouldn't the kid be able to drive to get to the voting place???
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It may make sense, but shouldn't the kid be able to drive to get to the voting place???
Presumably, the 14 year old could walk/take a bus to the polling station in order to make a misinformed vote.
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No way should the voting age be 14. A 14 year old child will not be able to make that choice that a 18 old can make.