Posted on 09/19/2014 2:56:32 PM PDT by right-wing agnostic
Scotland allowed 16 and 17 year olds to vote in yesterdays historic referendum on independence. Georgetown political theorist Jason Brennan, author of the excellent book The Ethics of Voting, makes a strong case that the United States should do the same thing:
Scotland decided to trust its 16-year-olds to vote in the biggest question in its history when the country headed to the polls this week for a referendum on independence. Americans, in contrast, dont even trust theirs to help pick the county sheriff. Whos right?
Many here might be skeptical about the idea of the United States following Scotlands lead in lowering the voting age. The trouble is that the main reason most people cite for barring 16- and 17-year-olds from voting looks like an equally good reason to stop most American adults from voting, too.
The key argument against letting high school juniors vote is simple: Their choice would affect all of us. After all, a voter chooses for everyone, not just him or herself. Many worry that most 16-year-olds lack the wisdom or knowledge to cast smart votes, so we dont let them vote because we want to protect ourselves from their decisions.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
You’re just too high strung
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8OWNspU_yE
Universal suffrage is the fatal flaw in all democracies.
Because a right wing dictator hasn’t taken power yet and set things straight in DC
Its coming soon
Only 18 year old veterans should have the franchise, not pot smoking cretins
We should raise the voting age back to 21. Anybody in school or college hasn’t attained the necessary life experience to make a wise voting decision.
That is a good question. Only the people paying for things should have a vote.
They'd find a way to get around that. I'd go with "anyone who's paying for it paying and can be trusted with a firearm."
Now, this is arguably going to deny people representation. Under the doctrine of "no taxation without representation" anyone who's being denied the right to keep and bear arms can choose whether they want to pay their taxes and get to vote, or not get to vote and not owe any taxes.
What about NOT permitting a person to vote if they receive any unearned government benefits? That would include Welfare, Food Stamps, Rent Subsidy, and Medicaid, for example. Receiving Social Security or Medicare would not disqualify a person from voting. In this manner, if a person is dependent upon the government for support they could not vote for the people who provide their support. Since office holders want to pander to the people that vote for them it would no longer include the “takers.”
Also, raise the voting age back to 21, except if a person is serving in the military they may vote once they are in the military, providing they are at least 18 years of age.
ROTFLMAO!!!
“I’m afraid. ...the strain. ..was more than he could bare...”
LOL!
Heck, I don’t want anyone under 30 to vote.
If you go in the military you should be able to vote and drink. Not necessarily in that order.
16 year olds born on February 29th be allowed to vote. But everyone else should wait until they are 25, and have filed tax returns.
You can’t be an 18 year old veteran.
Only active duty.
I wish we could discriminate against cretins but alas the basic rules of democracy prevent it.
OMG ABSOLUTELY NOT, NO WAY, HELL NO, NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!
I agree. A 16-year old would not be expressing his own opinion, but would only be voting what the teacher has brainwashed the class into believing. The pressure in classrooms is incredibly hard for any student that doesn't agree with the teacher. If they disagree, they pay the price through their grades or pressure from other students. It takes a really smart TOUGH kid to be a Conservative these days.
would go you one further and say only people who pay federal Income tax should be able to vote.
We are the ones with skins in the game. why should a lazy welfare queen or some trailer trash have the same voting power as someone who works 80 hrs a week?
Only people who have served in the military, or people who pay a net positive in taxes should vote. If you are on welfare you are disenfranchised until such a time that you are no longer a taker.
16 year olds? Heck, over liberals that act like spoiled 7 year olds that would be an improvement.
The answer to this question is a resounding NO!!!!!
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