I think when they are older that’s the case, but a 6 year old is not going to understand.
If a kid is too young to know where babies really come from, then they can’t understand about abortion.
If kids are too young to know where Iraq is, then they can’t understand about the war over there.
If kids are too young to understand how solar energy vs nuclear energy, then they are too young to understand about that debate.
If a child doesn’t know the difference between a legal immigrant and an illegal immigrant then they are too young to understand about that issue.
For example, my kids learned what abortion was when I told them about how babies are made.
This past election, I had my 14 year old son go to vote match and read up on the issues. I didn’t tell him who I was supporting. I told him he needed to figure out where he stood on the issues and then find a candidate that he liked based on that. (He matched Fred Thompson!!)
My 12 year old twin girls don’t understand all the issues (the economy, healthcare, and Ira are the most confusing for them). My girls were shocked that their “Christian” friends were supporting Obama because of his abortion stand. My girls understand that. My girls also understand about the whole global warming issue. My girls also understand the whole education debate because we had lots of problems with public school.
Back during the 2004 presidential campaign, a middle school student walked into my room and hollered for a Kerry win. When he couldn’t tell the class why he was for Kerry, I sat him at my computer so he could prove his point. By the end of the hour, he decided Kerry wasn’t the man for the job. The student graduated this last May says he’s now an independent thinker.
Every kid is different, but my 6 and 7 year olds have a good grasp on most of the issues you mentioned. Nothing in-depth, but an understanding suited to their level.
Kids can comprehend and judge for themselves anything you take the time to explain.