If Children Could Vote...

[Dob Bole]

How much different would politicians act? I have personally advocated lowering the voting age to at least 16.

[BigMcLargehuge]

1. They already ignore most of the sub-25s anyway... so 16 isn't low enough

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"...

[Caution]

2. Children would most likely vote as their parents vote

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.

[TheYellowDog]

3. Beavis and Butthead ARE intellectual comedy

and I'm able to vote. ;)

[ButterflyBlood]

9. I love Beavis and Butthead

and I can vote

[Darranar]

13. I've known ten year olds with insight...

I was one. Of course, many don't have insight, but then again, Bush is far above 18.

[Iris]

4. Have you ever talked to a 16 year old?

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.

[goobergunch]

8. Thank you. </sarcasm> (n/t)

[redeye]

5. Let's see...

...more money to colleges, less to schools, no chance at all of a draft, long-term increase of birth rates.

[Clete]

6. I don't think so.

They would probably vote how their parents told them to not what they think is best.

[Darranar]

15. Incorrect...

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.

[userdave2061]

23. Perhaps you are an exception

But most teenagers are not mentally able to make an informed decision such as how the country should be run.

[Darranar]

24. And adults are?

Regan was elected, after all. So was Bush Senior. And Junior, though he wasn't elected, got almost half the votes.

[Wickerman]

7. If kids voted some *sshole like Schwartzenneger

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.

[goobergunch]

10. I wouldn't vote for Schwartznegger unless he was running against *

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.)

[Wickerman]

11. You are right

that was uncalled for. 16 year olds could probably make better decisions than our "more experienced" populace. Please forgive the wide brush.

[goobergunch]

12. No problem (n/t)

[Iris]

17. Goobergunch

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.

[goobergunch]

20. I noticed

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!

[Iris]

21. yes. And if there were only a way to make people reach a certain "mental

age" before they were allowed to vote, then we'd be in good shape!

[Darranar]

22. There are many THREE TIMES your age that shouldn't vote...

it has little to do with maturity, more to do with political awareness.

[wuushew]

14. This is a stupid argument

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.

[goobergunch]

16. sales tax? (n/t)

[wuushew]

18. Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon

have no sales tax at state level.

[mlawson]

19. Hell, WE couldn't vote at 18!!!

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.