Should the voting age be changed to 16+?

Originally posted by Fire
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.

There are already exceptions and special rules. People in prison can't vote, can they? We're willing to take away people's right to vote in special circumstances, not to give people the right to vote under equally special circumstances. Why is that?

in belgium ppl in prison can vote.
indeed in a very few cases of serious crimes ppl can lose their civil rights in belgium which forbids them to vote or to be elected. personaly I am against those rules. But I do not see what it has to do with this, it isn;t because it is failing that we should continue to trash it some more

Putting an age limit on those who are allowed to vote is already segregating everyone.

Voting is not just about electing a leader. You vote to put your opinion in on everyday matters. If we weren't allowed to vote on everything then we would live in a communist government. Indeed, communism is not a horrible idea, but we are so used to nationalism that the very thought of changing the government is considered ludicrous. I know, communism in this country would not work, but I believe that reform is needed, and we have the capabilities of doing it. It is stated in the U.S. Constitution that the people of the United States have the right to change the government if it gets out of hand, and it looks to me like it is getting out of hand.

maybe, would love it if they changed the drinking age to 18-if you can fight for your country you should be able to have a beer!

There shouldn't be a drinking age at all. Take Germany, for example...if you can see over the bar, you can order a drink. Students even leave school at lunch and go get a beer and then go back to school. We are so woried about frunk drivers and underage drinking, but if we get rid of the age, people will be so burned out on drinking by the time they turn 21 that it just won't matter anymore. Plus, getting rid of the drinking age will take all the fun out of breaking the law because it's not a law anymore, thus ridding us of the delinquents who love to break the law.

the thing is normaly everyone will become 18 so they will all be allowed to vote.

about communism that has been said a few thousand times already in theory communism is one of the best ways to govern a country.

i think that this should be a 16+ voting thing, teens live in america too. we should choose what people will rule, or take leadership. We will be here and deal with what a president or what ever more then some one who is 40, we will most likely live longer. So we should have a say.

Some political ignorance being shown here...

Under proper Communism, you actually WOULD get a say in everything- that is the point. Everyone's voice is equal.

But we all live in representative democracies. Your vote, therefore, is purely your voice as to who represents you on your behalf.

Yes, we restrict vote by age, bit to call that segregation is ludicrous, because it is only part of a segregation that ALREADY exists- that is, you have to earn some rights by age.

But age is something that is fair to everyone., Segregating people by politcal awareness is a HUGE step backwards, and simply creates second class citizens which is against the very basic concept of democracy.

thx for clearing that out ush

(we don't agree on too many political ideas but we do agree on thisone)

well i dont think that if maybe 16+ ppl got to vote in america for president last term, maybe bush would not have one, and america would not have lost so much money and lower the value of the dollar bill. maybe if Gore won, we MIGHT have been better off. this is all for example

The age of a person rarely reflects the person's ability to comprehend things. I am brighter than many adults I know, and I'm only 16. Why is it that I have to wait until I'm 18 to vote? Putting an age to something is a horrible idea for the simple fact that we have overzealous citizens who care only about which candidate they see on TV more. But if you have to earn some rights by age, why is it that the age has to be 18?

Everybody's voice is not equal in a communist government. There is no chance that the communist leaders will be put out of power, and in that sense, it's totalitarian. That's a horrible thing. Communism is a great idea, except for the fact that everybody gets paid the same.

Ok, so you say that administering comprehension tests would be a step backwards? But how so, if the tests are only for those of us under the age of 18 who would like a chance to vote? I know that many people my age don't give a damn about politics, but politics are something that I feel very strongly about, and I know I'm not the only one. If we are undrage and would like a say, then I think we should be given that right. As I said, had that been the case 4 years ago, we wouldn't have elected Bush as our president.

very well said Jeff, i'm completely with you on that

I thank you.

"Everybody's voice is not equal in a communist government. There is no chance that the communist leaders will be put out of power, and in that sense, it's totalitarian. That's a horrible thing. Communism is a great idea, except for the fact that everybody gets paid the same."

In a true communist government (NON have existed so far) it would be possible to put the communist leaders out of power.
and the idea of a test, even if it is only for those under 18, is still anti-democratic

"In communism, everybody is equal, some are just more equal than others"

that still isn't communism 😛

How would it be anti-democatic to give tests to people who aren't of age, but would like to vote? It would be more democratic because you are giving them a chance to speak their mind and cast their opinion.

Because you would give certain ppl of the age of 16 and up the right to vote where others don't get that right. How is it decided? by a test, as Ush has said this would create two class's those that can vote and those that can't.

That is against democracy. Democracy means that everyone can have his say.

The government inplaced the rule that only ppl of the age of 18 or higher can vote for some reason, I always found this a bit fishy in belgium it's easier namely on the age of 18 you're an adult. So it says all adults can vote.

Aywayz the thing is when you put an age restriction that is a restriction that everyone normaly will meet at some point in there life.

Wile that test probably isn't and should every be able to pass it there is no need for it anywayz.

Originally posted by Fire
that still isn't communism 😛

I know 😛