Dob Bole
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Fri Sep-05-03 01:20 PM
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If Children Could Vote... |
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How much different would politicians act? I have personally advocated lowering the voting age to at least 16.
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BigMcLargehuge
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Fri Sep-05-03 01:23 PM
Response to Original message |
1. They already ignore most of the sub-25s anyway... so 16 isn't low enough |
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Strip the voting age completely.
My son would probably Vote for "The Wiggles"... I'd have to counter his vote with one for "The Teletubbies"...
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Caution
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Fri Sep-05-03 01:28 PM
Response to Original message |
2. Children would most likely vote as their parents vote |
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Now, how many children does the average liberal couple have? How many children does the average conservative couple have? Well let's see, no birth control, no abortion, "go forth and multiply" no concern for overpopulation and the environment. Hmmm...disaster is what I'm thinking! I'd rather wait until children are a the stage of forming their own opinions. 16 sounds about right but younger gets a bit tricky. I've know 14 year olds with insight but I've also known 14 year olds who think that Beavis and Butthead are intellectual comedy.
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TheYellowDog
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Fri Sep-05-03 01:42 PM
Response to Reply #2 |
3. Beavis and Butthead ARE intellectual comedy |
ButterflyBlood
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Fri Sep-05-03 04:00 PM
Response to Reply #2 |
9. I love Beavis and Butthead |
Darranar
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Fri Sep-05-03 06:19 PM
Response to Reply #2 |
13. I've known ten year olds with insight... |
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I was one. Of course, many don't have insight, but then again, Bush is far above 18.
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Iris
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Fri Sep-05-03 01:44 PM
Response to Original message |
4. Have you ever talked to a 16 year old? |
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Many, not all, still think in "black and white" terms. Heck, there are even college students who still think this way. I think it would be a great thing for Republicans.
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goobergunch
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Fri Sep-05-03 03:50 PM
Response to Reply #4 |
8. Thank you. </sarcasm> (n/t) |
redeye
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Fri Sep-05-03 01:52 PM
Response to Original message |
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...more money to colleges, less to schools, no chance at all of a draft, long-term increase of birth rates.
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Clete
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Fri Sep-05-03 01:54 PM
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They would probably vote how their parents told them to not what they think is best.
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Darranar
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Fri Sep-05-03 06:29 PM
Response to Reply #6 |
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by ten, I was already forming political ideas and choosing which candidate to support. I did not listen to my parents when it came to that.
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userdave2061
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Fri Sep-05-03 07:16 PM
Response to Reply #15 |
23. Perhaps you are an exception |
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But most teenagers are not mentally able to make an informed decision such as how the country should be run.
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Darranar
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Fri Sep-05-03 07:38 PM
Response to Reply #23 |
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Regan was elected, after all. So was Bush Senior. And Junior, though he wasn't elected, got almost half the votes.
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Wickerman
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Fri Sep-05-03 02:12 PM
Response to Original message |
7. If kids voted some *sshole like Schwartzenneger |
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would be in politicol office. Think adults vote on name recognition and popularity? Flood afternoon TV with your former movie star turned neo-con candidate and bang! instant officeholder.
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goobergunch
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Fri Sep-05-03 04:02 PM
Response to Reply #7 |
10. I wouldn't vote for Schwartznegger unless he was running against * |
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Could we avoid the broad generalizations here, folks? :grr:
(And since you're new, I'll inform you now that I'm 16 and I'm not even the youngest member of DU.)
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Wickerman
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Fri Sep-05-03 05:03 PM
Response to Reply #10 |
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that was uncalled for. 16 year olds could probably make better decisions than our "more experienced" populace. Please forgive the wide brush.
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goobergunch
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Fri Sep-05-03 06:13 PM
Response to Reply #11 |
Iris
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Fri Sep-05-03 06:32 PM
Response to Reply #10 |
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I didn't make a "broad generalization" in my previous post. I said "not all." There are definately certain development steps that take place as human beings grow. Many people go through them more quickly than others. I suspect you are one of those people, so please don't take offense.
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goobergunch
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Fri Sep-05-03 06:34 PM
Response to Reply #17 |
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That wasn't directed at you. I agree that there are many of my age that probably shouldn't vote...I know some of them personally!
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Iris
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Fri Sep-05-03 06:36 PM
Response to Reply #20 |
21. yes. And if there were only a way to make people reach a certain "mental |
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age" before they were allowed to vote, then we'd be in good shape!
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Darranar
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Fri Sep-05-03 06:37 PM
Response to Reply #20 |
22. There are many THREE TIMES your age that shouldn't vote... |
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it has little to do with maturity, more to do with political awareness.
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wuushew
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Fri Sep-05-03 06:24 PM
Response to Original message |
14. This is a stupid argument |
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While perhaps appealing in theory it would be in effect representation without taxation.
And since someone will bring up a "teenagers work hard also" argument I will throw in the lack of legal rights, inability to be drafted or drink alcohol. No having it both ways...all or nothing.
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goobergunch
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Fri Sep-05-03 06:29 PM
Response to Reply #14 |
wuushew
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Fri Sep-05-03 06:33 PM
Response to Reply #16 |
18. Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon |
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have no sales tax at state level.
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mlawson
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Fri Sep-05-03 06:33 PM
Response to Original message |
19. Hell, WE couldn't vote at 18!!! |
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Imagine it's 1968, and you are 18, and you are not allowed to vote until you are 21! But you have already HAD to register with the selective service, and you have a draft card which you HOPE will say either II-S, or 4-F. And Vietnam is going full speed ahead, the Tet Offensive is just a few months old.
Would Nixon have won, had we been able to vote??? I doubt it.
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