Should the voting age be changed to 16+?

because everyone still nag about it anyway, well now if they didn't vote they wouldn't have had the right nag now they do.

most ppl care about politics in belgium. not a great deal but they know what the political parties stand for so they know what they will get if they vote for one.

the most important reason is to make sure that the less fortunate: the homeless, the poor, the ppl who live on the edge of society aren't forgotten.

Because I and almost everyone from the socialist party (of which I am a member) believes that those groups on the edge of society will be forgotten once they aren't forced to come and vote anymore. why would politicians take into account ppl who wont come to vote for them anywayz.

as a personal reason: ppl died to give everyone the right to vote out of pure and utter respect we should all go and vote.

Hmm... I dobut anyone died to FORCE people to use their vote, Fire...

I think the forcible use of vote is rather insidious.

no I said the right to vote

not the obligation to vote. indeed they weren't forced to vote.
but they did die to give us the right to vote... well out of pure respect I am grateful we are forcing ppl to vote (atleast in theory, in practice you dont get sued anymore if you dont show up, if it was up to me you would lazy ass ppl)

we are obligated to GO to the voting, what we do WITH our vote is entirely up to us; they check if we went, they don't check if we voted cause that's not how the law prescribes it
we can make a little mona lisa on the paper with that red pencil or when we have the electric card it even SAYS "blanco"

still it is more than most other countries in the world

would be kinda weird if they were in the cube with us

Yes, but I still do not agree with your main point, Fire; I think men died to give us the right to vote if we wanted; I think forcing us to vote rather goes against what they died for, which was freedom.

true, I believe they died for equality and not to use that equality would mean they died in vain. but as said that's a personal note different for everyone.

but if the liberals ever get their way they will change the law that you don't have to go anymore.

Stupid liberals and their damn individualistic idea's

forcing people to vote is a bad idea, not to mention unconstitutional. I just firmly believe that those of us who want to vote and are underage should be allowed the right vote.

in belgium it isn't unconstitutional and I think it is a great idea.

it's just so that later on no one can complain about how things went cause everyone (older than 18, and insert various exceptions here) voted and therefor it should give the best results on how people want the country to be governed

There are numerous people over 18 who vote because or based on:
A)They feel obligated to do so
B)They see the candidates on TV and vote for who they think is cutest
C)They vote for the candidate that they see the most on TV.

Should they be the ones deciding who runs this country? I don't think so. That should go to those of us who actually follow the candidates, agree with their views, and want this country to run in the best way possible.

well jeff that aint democracy

Here is an example of what could possibly go wrong if 16 year olds could vote. Say there is a bill to raise the minimum wage. Of course this sounds great to 16 year olds who all have minimum wage jobs so they will all vote to pass the law. When the law is passed, inflation goes up. Sure eventually, the cost of living will force employers to pay more to their employees but at first, raising the minimum wage ****s up the economy. Or how about taxes? Taxes don't effect youngsters like most of us that much, but most teenagers want to save every cent they can and would vote against a raise in taxes. This ****s up the country as well. I know Oregon desperately needed a raise in taxes but the morons in this state voted against it. Now Oregons schools are way in debt (to the point were they have to cancel all sports in certain schools) and instantly the prisons released tons of criminals before their sentences expired. If you are 16, let your parents do the voting because what benefits you as an individual, could go against the rest of your family. When you live on your own, then vote for what will help you, your new family (if you have one), and the rest of the nation.

Minimum wage is different in most states. Explain to me how raising it will F*ck up the economy.

You are implying that all 16 year olds are politically incoherent. That is not always so. I know of at least 6 people at my school who will not be able to vote in this election, yet they have more sense than many adults. That's why I believe a comprehension test should be given to those of us who would like the chance to vote, but are underage. Let's look at the election of 2000....the presidency was decided by 500 votes. Now, if 500 more people had gone out to vote, the outcome could have been different. I know there are at least 500 underage people just like me who would love the chance to vote.

But to please us all, I am going to attempt to come to a compromise. Let's say that the license underage kids have to vote could be limited according to each person. If the person is likely to be afected by taxes, then he/she should be given the right to vote on tax-related matters. If they could benefit from education reform, then let them vote on that. At least, until they turn 18. How does that sound? If we can put restrictions on driver's licenses for underage kids, why not give them a voting license and put certain restrictions on it?

because it is against the basic ideas of democracy jeff

Indeed, these ridiculous ideas on compromise are probably the worst of all. You need one clear system, not ome which affords different rights to different people. Franchise is universal- either you have it or you do not. And you do not vote on matters 'x' and 'y'- you vote on a candidate to represent you in ALL matters.

Your vote is your say in who governs you. That cannot be divided. Nor can you set up a system whereby some people earn it and others do not- this would be a terrible, terrible thing, creating a new class of segregation in society. It would be actively evil.

Hence, to set it by age is the only practical way.

Originally posted by Fire
because it is against the basic ideas of democracy

Your conception of democracy, maybe. Not mine.

democracy is a very simple idea, atleast the way it is ment here.

it means that every overaged citizen can vote. there should be no exceptions to that no special rules to be followed. the base of democracy is that everyone is as important and can influence politics as much as the next man can.