Should the age to vote be reduced to 16?

The point is that you are entitled to your own opinion about the path the country takes.
You pay taxes.
You can drive.
You can do virtually everything an adult can do, why not vote?

Also, proficient knowledge is not required to vote. As long as you do not have a mental disorder, you can be as dumb as a rock, you would still have the right to vote.

K.

 

You cannot file as an Independent.
You cannot take out a loan.
You cannot consume/purchase alcohol legally (in the US).
You can't smoke legally (in the US).
You can't get a credit card without a parent.
The list goes on.

These laws are in place because most teens cannot handle the responsibility.

 

I don't think that the voting age should be reduced to 16, even 18 is kind of low, i mean how many 18 year olds care about their government?

 

You can get emancipated, if that's what you mean.

Private institutions such as the bank can set rules as they please with no justification.

Medical evidence to suggest it's detrimental affects on the adolescent brain.

Medical evidence to suggest that it can damage lungs.

Private institution.

Teenagers pay taxes. They are obligated to, and they contribute to the country just the same as adults do. They however, are not allowed to vote. Why is this? Their is no caveat on the voting law stating one must reach a certain threshold. Conversely, only age is the threshold. Why? There is no evidentiary justification for this. They do after all pay for roads to be built, yet, they cannot decide who allocates the funds to build them?

Also, teens can handle enough responsibility to be placed in charge of a weapon that has the potential to kill dozens of people. An automobile.

Caring about the Government isn't required in order for one to vote. One could care less about the Government, and still vote, so long as they are above 18.

 

It's not like voting at the current legal age makes a difference.

 

What do you mean exactly? Why do you think it makes no difference?

 

What benefits would there be to lowering the vote, malakadang? If it ain't broken then it doesn't need fixed!

 

2 things.

First, your last statement which I think has a hint of sarcasm xD.

However, you assume to parallels, fixed, and broken. It actually lies on a continuum in this context. True, the current system is not really broken, however, that doesn't mean it can't be improved. I'll show it like this:

Fucked ---------Broken---Working/Current System-------Proposed System.

|_______________|____________|_________________________|


You get the idea.

As for your first question, a good one.

The purpose for one to vote is to essentially have a say, have a voice, have a hand in deciding the fate of your country. Denying this right to a group of people based on age and nothing else is a tad harsh, considering the fact that they contribute directly to the very same country through filing income taxes, and to help pay for the very roads you drive on daily. I find this unacceptable, if they contribute to society in such a way, they should be given the right to help decide the countries fate.

 

I'm only 19, but I think it should be RAISED to 21. Why do I think this? Because 18 year olds aren't mature enough to vote. I know that 18 means you're an "adult", but indoctrination is rampant in our country and very few if any 18 year olds I know are actually willing to form independent thoughts from their parents. By 21, most people will have spent at least SOME time independently, which allows them to have a better understanding of their own ideals.

In my mind, the only reason the democrats aren't an astounding majority is because so many young voters simply eat up what their parents tell them without thinking for themselves.

 

Hell no, It should stay at 18 or be raised, damn 16 year olds aren't mature enough.

 

The voting age should be lowered; if a 16 year old is obligated to pay taxes then they should have a say in who they believe would be most responsible with the money they're contributing. 16 year olds are still citizens of any given country therefore they should be able to take part in something that affects all citizens regardless of age. Now some of you might say why not let all kids vote in that case but that's idiotic; there is no point in letting small children vote when they cannot grasp the concept of government. Many of the people who commented on this don't give 16 year olds enough credit.

 

Please find a clause in the voting law that states you must be mature in order to vote.

Both parties fail miserably.

Democracy is the best system of government we have thus far in the modern world. Unfortunately, the masses are unwilling to change and opt for Minarchy, true capitalist government. However, as I've said before, Social Conformity is not limited to merely teenagers.

How old are you? Also, please find me a clause where it states maturity = right to vote.

 

If one existed, we needn't be having this discussion. See, laws aren't set in stone. Personally, I think maturity SHOULD be a factor, because, after all, it's the future of the country that's at stake.

As for your ideals, minarchy? I understand that libertarians think they have the best answers, but I assure you that as good as it is in concept, it, like pure communism, would NEVER work in practice. You only have to have the smallest amount of political insight to know that.

 

Possibly some sort of test to decide how much you currently understand each sides current views, so it isn't bias by family decisions?

 

Edit: ^Oh wow same post


I feel there should be some kind of test (maybe IQ test) before a 16 year old could vote. I think that rule should be applicable for 18-24 year olds as well. Some 16 year olds are smart, but I wouldn't trust every single one to vote for important elections. Making them all not allowed to vote wouldn't be fair, therefor I feel that being able to pass a test should allow them to vote.

 

Remain 18, those 2 years allot of maturing happens tbh, and some people need even longer

 

As at a time, they are, actually.

So, what about the immature adults?

How is it pure communism? Why won't it work in practice with gradual shifts towards it, not one abrupt movement?

Enlighten me as to your line of reasoning.

So, you need to take a test in order to help decide your countries future? Less freedom. Excellent!

You do realize IQ tests can fluctuate between 15 points. Actually, all tests can fluctuate immensely, though if your going to base it on an IQ type test, it would be catastrophically inaccurate. You'd be better off picking names out of a hat.

You've just implied that you can still be immature yet vote.

 

Definitely not. The moron to intellectual ratio is extremely uneven.

 

So? As is with adults.

 

I was referring to the general public as a whole.