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Gravitymaster

Should the voting age be 14?

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I'm a democrat in California, and I say HELL NO!

I taught fourteen year olds in school. Many of them weren't mature enough to decide to do their homework, much less research candidates and issues and go vote.

All it'll mean is that most kids, if they vote, will vote either exactly the way their parents tell them to, or exactly the opposite, depending on the kid.

waste of time and resources. They need to be 18. I think 18 is too young sometimes, but if they're old enough to be drafted, they need to have a say in who's sitting in the white house.

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From the article:

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The five-member Senate Constitutional Amendments Committee approved the measure on a 3-1 vote. Democratic Sen. John Burton, Martha Escutia and Debra Bowen voted in support and Republican Charles Poochigian opposed the measure. Republican Sen. Tom McClintock, who made his opposition clear when the committee took testimony on the proposal two weeks ago, was not present for the vote.



So this is apparently a very serious effort. What reasoning do you think a politician would have to propose such an idea? They must think there is some benefit somewhere.

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I heard they might give them each half a vote...Is that like the 3/5ths compromise?

Who gets to cast the kids' votes? Do they control it, or do their parents?

Hmmm... Wacky stuff. Anyone have any more real information on it?
-- Tom Aiello

Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com
SnakeRiverBASE.com

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I think the right to vote should depend on the understanding of what we (the voters) are voting for. By that I mean if somebody does not understand the electoral system, then they should not be allowed to vote. All the people who said they voted for Clinton because Bush Senior raised their taxes should not be allowed to vote. Making that statement showed their ignorance because the bill that raised their taxes was written by Clinton's party in the first place.
If somebody does not understand the what the jobs of the judicial, legislative, or exectutive branches of government are, then I think their vote is useless. If a 14 year can prove to understand this, then I think his/her vote is more productive than a 50 year old fool who can't. In the end I still don't think a 14 year will have enough experience to make an adequate contribution with his vote. But I also think a more immediate problem is all the stupid folk, who under the current system are allowed to vote, and do so with ignorance.
If I could make a wish, I think I'd pass.
Can't think of anything I need
No cigarettes, no sleep, no light, no sound.
Nothing to eat, no books to read.

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I just can't seem to figure out why they would try to do this. I'm thinkin real hard. Do you have any idea why?



Well, we "adults" can't be influenced easily and politicians are running out of "new bullshit", so they want to target the young ones, I can just imagine the slogans "Vote for me and you'll get a FREE CD of and a DISCOUNT COUPON to buy at GAP " :D:D
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Blue Skies and May the Force be with you.

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I just can't seem to figure out why they would try to do this. I'm thinkin real hard. Do you have any idea why?



Well, we "adults" can't be influenced easily and politicians are running out of "new bullshit", so they want to target the young ones, I can just imagine the slogans "Vote for me and you'll get a FREE CD of and a DISCOUNT COUPON to buy at GAP " :D:D




Ding..ding...ding.. give that man a prize.

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should we let them vote, or should we stop taxing them?



Let them vote? DON'T THINK SO, stop taxing them? YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING, they are the primary source of "income" for the government, THOSE KIDS SPEND LIKE CRAZY!!!!
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Blue Skies and May the Force be with you.

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No, I'm curious. Like I said, I think it's a bad idea. But how do you justify taxing people, not letting them vote, and rationalize that with the founding values of this nation?

I can think of a good way to do it. If Bush ever gets around to one of his main campaign promises and works on changing SS, how about all taxes from those under 18 go into a retirement fund for themselves?

I can't imagine a large portion of the tax base comes from minors, it will give them a head start toward retirement, and you're not really taxing them without representation since all the money still belongs to them.

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Democrats try to lower the voting age in California to 14. Can anyone tell me why this is a good idea?



It isn't. Looks like a pretty lame attempt to prop up their numbers.

Good to see we agree on something. ;)

- Z
"Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon

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I think the right to vote should depend on the understanding of what we (the voters) are voting for. By that I mean if somebody does not understand the electoral system, then they should not be allowed to vote. All the people who said they voted for Clinton because Bush Senior raised their taxes should not be allowed to vote. Making that statement showed their ignorance because the bill that raised their taxes was written by Clinton's party in the first place.
If somebody does not understand the what the jobs of the judicial, legislative, or exectutive branches of government are, then I think their vote is useless. If a 14 year can prove to understand this, then I think his/her vote is more productive than a 50 year old fool who can't. In the end I still don't think a 14 year will have enough experience to make an adequate contribution with his vote. But I also think a more immediate problem is all the stupid folk, who under the current system are allowed to vote, and do so with ignorance.



Right. I'd suggest a test before getting registered to vote, like they had in the south until about 40 years ago.;)
...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

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Right. I'd suggest a test before getting registered to vote, like they had in the south until about 40 years ago.
================================
WOW! Me and Kallend are in complete agreement for once. (Assuming he is not being sarcastic)
If I could make a wish, I think I'd pass.
Can't think of anything I need
No cigarettes, no sleep, no light, no sound.
Nothing to eat, no books to read.

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I can think of a good way to do it. If Bush ever gets around to one of his main campaign promises and works on changing SS, how about all taxes from those under 18 go into a retirement fund for themselves?



What the heck, why not for those under 18 and also those over 18?

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

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Right. I'd suggest a test before getting registered to vote, like they had in the south until about 40 years ago.
================================
WOW! Me and Kallend are in complete agreement for once. (Assuming he is not being sarcastic)



I'm pretty sure he's being sarcastic. And that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard of. First of all, GWB probably would never have been allowed to vote. Secondly, did you ever see the Simpsons when they tried ruling based on brain power? Even Steven Hawkings didn't think it was a good idea.

Not to mention all you right-wingers would be whining all the time since the more education one has, the more likely they are to be liberal. Your whole voting base of red neck hicks would lose the right to vote. :P

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If somebody does not understand the what the jobs of the judicial, legislative, or exectutive branches of government are, then I think their vote is useless. If a 14 year can prove to understand this......

I don't know about now, but years ago to get out of the 8th grade (in Calif), I had to pass a test on the constitution/government and memorize the Preamble. If you did not pass, you did not move up; no exceptions. I passed, but I was not ready to pick a candidate for president. I would have voted like my parents. I don't think the majority of 14 year olds are ready.
Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts.

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Right. I'd suggest a test before getting registered to vote, like they had in the south until about 40 years ago.
================================
WOW! Me and Kallend are in complete agreement for once. (Assuming he is not being sarcastic)



I'm pretty sure he's being sarcastic. And that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard of. First of all, GWB probably would never have been allowed to vote. Secondly, did you ever see the Simpsons when they tried ruling based on brain power? Even Steven Hawkings didn't think it was a good idea.

Not to mention all you right-wingers would be whining all the time since the more education one has, the more likely they are to be liberal. Your whole voting base of red neck hicks would lose the right to vote. :P


Actually I really don't think it takes a genius to understand our political system. I think it can be accomplished with a minimal amount of effort.
As for education making people more liberal, I think that its more about having been brainwashed and less about having gained knowledge.
I am quite confident that if this system went into play, that is if only people who understood what they were voting for had the right to vote. The now Democrat party of our times (far far lefting) would ever again get elected. I don't believe the party would end, it would simply change. There are always going to be people who lean more to the left and people who lean more to the right. But the extreme left wing that took over the Democrat party around Johnson's administration, which is so out of touch with American Ideals, would never get elected if the general population knew what their true agenda is. Don't misunderstand me here. Kennedy did steal the 1960 election and I am no fan of his. But I could fathom, under certain circumstances, for him to win an election in which only people who know what they are voting for are voting.
If I could make a wish, I think I'd pass.
Can't think of anything I need
No cigarettes, no sleep, no light, no sound.
Nothing to eat, no books to read.

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