Should the voting age be lowered?

[Kennylingus]

I have a friend that the only reason that he's my friend is because we disagree on almost everything and he's smart enough to actually be about to debate these things with.

Well our last argument was about how the voting age should be lowered to the age of 16. He was pro and I was against. I went on about maturity and mental and emotional awareness. I went on for awhile so I thought I was good, but he just broughtup one point that I had never thought of before.

We tax them. They can work at age 16. They earn money and put it back into the system. Taxation without representation is why this country exists.

I did a little research and teens earn well over ten billion a year and they are not represented. We in a lot of cases hold them as adults when it comes to criminal charges, but we don't let them vote?

I argue with this guy quite a bit, I find it very enjoyable, but this is the first time that he's actually changed my mind on a subject.

What do you think?

 

[Horschallen]

I disagree.

 

[opinterph]

[My friend] brought up one point that I had never thought of before.

We tax them. They can work at age 16. They earn money and put it back into the system. Taxation without representation is why this country exists.

Nonresident aliens who are employed in the US under work Visas pay federal, state and local taxes too.

 

[bankside]

My country exists for "Peace, Order and Good Government." And I think if anything the voting age should be raised. Even when I was 17 I thought "who would seriously let these people vote..."

 

[IllgetyouHackman]

If that was the case you would have a very slow degree of change....and how is that fair to let people fight and die in war but not have a say in the political climate? Sounds pretty close to something like having no say and no citizenship but a required oath of loyalty...

 

[Nomenclature]

No, the voting age should not be lower than 18. We should simply encourage more young people to become active in politics by paying attention to current events, and actually getting out there to vote for what they believe in.

Most of the people going to the voting booths are still middle-aged white males with old-fashioned, conservative view points. That's why they're against things like equal rights, net neutrality, etc. Young people bitch about this all the time, but they could change this if they actually went out, voted and forced the politicians to give them what they want.

 

[GhostPhoenix]

Hmm... Voting age lowered to 16.... Thinks back to when I was 16. I can't honestly say that would be able to make informed decisions. Their world revolves around their 4 years in high school, and between that and their personal lives most teenagers have little time or interest in learning what they need to know to make an informed decision to vote.

Now, I'll grant you that kids are growing up faster then ever, but I still think voting in politics takes a level of maturity they don't have yet, not saying 18 year olds are there either. But most 16 year olds don't even follow anything in the news but entertainers, tmz, or perez hilton.

I'll pass on letting 16 year olds vote.

Okay, this just made me feel OLD, and I'm not old.

 

[jackoroe]

I disagree as well. Very few 16 year olds posess the mental maturity to make a rational choice at the polls. People are enjoined from entering into contracts as a matter of law for this very reason.

 

[cumwhore]

I think that a suggestion would be a minimum IQ to be allowed to vote.

Clearly that is what is needed.

 

[timboy]

what about 16 if employed , 18 if not

 

[GhostPhoenix]

I think that a suggestion would be a minimum IQ to be allowed to vote.

Clearly that is what is needed.

Hmm... Mandatory IQ test's to obtain the right to vote. You do realize how drastically the voting landscape would shift.. lol How high can we make the IQ requirement be?


But alas this would be against the spirit that this country was founded on.

what about 16 if employed , 18 if not

Regardless of employment status at 16, I don't think the majority of them are capable at that point to vote. Yes, there are a few who have taken an active interest in politics but they are so few.

 

[Kennylingus]

You see I agree with almost everything that's been said. But we as American's cannot be hypocrites....even though in these times it's becoming a tradition.

Personally I would like to see everyone who isn't represented not pay into the taxes automatically. But that would never fly. To me though the fact that the goverment forcefully takes money from them is just weird...if they pay our goverment than they should have a say in it. Despite their limitations.

And The research that I've done on criminal cases and the statistics with minors really just aggravates me. We'll prosocute them as adults, but when they are responsible we deny them? It doesn't make sense to me.

I believe in America, I really do...but the last ten years have made me question so much.

 

[Spiff]

Considering that many16 year olds haven't even taken a government class yet in high school, of course they aren't ready to vote. They're still kids for pete's sake.

 

[GhostPhoenix]

Here's what you can come back at him with, my friend. In some farming states, like Indiana (where I live) you can work on your parents farm as young as 14. That's still income, and I do believe it is still taxed, if you're actually paid for it. I don't think even he would go for 14, and we can't discriminate against 14 and 15 year olds who are employed. Not to mention in New York you can DRIVE at 14. (shudders loudly) I think 18's just fine.

You can NOT drive in NY at the age of 14. Minimum driving age in NY is 16 and there are restrictions on that.
http://www.nysegov.com/citguide.cfm?ques_id=1353&superCat=142&cat=60&content=relatedfaqs

Link to the changes that went into effect Feb 22, 2010:
http://www.nysdmv.com/broch/GDL2010.pdf

 

[opinterph]

...if they pay our goverment than they should have a say in it. Despite their limitations.

Children of all ages may earn income – even a newborn infant.

Q: I work part time while I go to school and my employer takes taxes out of my paycheck? I'm not old enough to vote, but have to pay taxes. Isn't this a form of taxation without representation?

A: Many young people believe that, because they are not old enough to vote, they have no representation in government and, therefore, should not be required to pay taxes. The United States Congress is a body of elected representatives of the people. Under our representative form of government, the Congress has the power to enact all laws (including Federal tax laws). The members of Congress speak and vote as representatives of all the people in their State or district, including those who did not vote.

Taxes are the primary means by which the Federal Government obtains the money needed to finance its operations and programs. We are sure you would agree that it would be unfair to provide an exemption from tax for the income of a young person who cannot vote, while imposing the tax on the same amount earned by an older person. Under our Federal income tax laws enacted by Congress, every citizen or resident of the United States must file a Federal income tax return. They must also pay any tax due if his or her gross income for the tax year exceeds a specified amount. The law does not excuse anyone from tax because of age.

[US Dept of the Treasury]

Very few 16 year olds posess the mental maturity to make a rational choice at the polls. People are enjoined from entering into contracts as a matter of law for this very reason.

Interestingly, some states allow persons to vote even though they have been adjudicated mentally incompetent. [National Disability Rights Network]

 

[cityboy-stl]

No, 18. You are legally an adult at 18 and voting is an adult responsibility and privilege.

The original argument for lowering the voting age to 18 from 21 was "If you're old enough to be drafted and die for your country in the jungles of Vietnam, you're old enough to vote for the president who sends you there." That made perfect sense then and voting is one of those rights you get when you become an adult. You're still a juvenile before that. Fortunately, we are not drafting people anymore.

 

[JB3]

We tax them. They can work at age 16. They earn money and put it back into the system. Taxation without representation is why this country exists.

And every single one of them will get that money back when they file a tax return. Unless they're making some outrageous amount, all of them will be below the threshold of having to actually pay anything to the government that they won't get back.

 

[PrivateTimm]

It should be raised back up to 21.

Lots of people are taxed here who can not vote.

Lots of people who don't pay taxes vote.

 

[evanrick]

I think you should be allowed to vote at 16. Younger people are more tolerant and less inflexible than older voters.

 

[JB3]

I think you should be allowed to vote at 16. Younger people are more tolerant and less inflexible than older voters.

And they're also significantly less mature and significantly less informed. Being tolerant and flexible isn't a reason to give someone the chance to vote at an earlier age.