Current Affairs General US politics (ie, not POTUS related)

[BlueTX]

My sense is that, on the whole, political awareness is increasing among high schoolers relative to 30 years ago. So voting at 18 is just fine with me. I need to find some data to make sure I'm correct though.

I can say that my experience with my sons, their friends and my wife's former HS students has been inspiring.

 

[carolinablue232]

The entire take is absurd, IMO. On the matter of being uneducated on the issues, you and I could go out on the streets and we will find citizens of all ages who are woefully uninformed. To my mind, that's not sufficient cause to restrict a Constitutional right as fundamental as participation in the democratic system.

If an 18-year old can sign up to kill or be killed on behalf of the country...

See above as well, but perhaps this is also a problem? I see your point on uninformed people of all ages but there is something to be said for life experiences helping shape opinions on important matters.

I never said I’m for an age increase, but I can more understand that being an argument.

 

[BlueTX]

See above as well, but perhaps this is also a problem? I see your point on uninformed people of all ages but there is something to be said for life experiences helping shape opinions on important matters.

I never said I’m for an age increase, but I can more understand that being an argument.

Fair enough.

 

[Sassy Colombian]

Nikki Haley's praising Trump and his racist speech is more proof on how low Republicans are willing to go on their quest for power.

 

[RAFUH]

I understand this perspective as it’s the default but I’m not sure who the we is. Perhaps this is also a problem? They’re also choosing to enroll here, not like it’s a draft. I’m just playing the devils advocate role a bit here as I dont think it’s that straightforward.

On your last point, should a 16 year old working at Burger King be allowed to vote as well? How about the 14 year old working a summer job? They pay taxes.

Edit, I did a quick search and it appears less than 50% of 18-19 year olds do actually work. Assuming school plays a big role there but I don’t have time to dig in.

I do agree with @BlueTX - it isn't as much about age as knowledge.

I dislike the inconsistency and I think 18 is arbitrary - the age when general schooling stops therefore you must be an adult.

Technically brain development is not complete until age 25.

 

[Sassy Colombian]

It is quite scary what the Republican party has become.

 

[BlueTX]

 

[carolinablue232]

Too bad there seemingly aren’t many reasonable adults left.

 

[Huyton Layne]

 

[RAFUH]

 

[Sassy Colombian]

Republican run State Legislatures will stop at nothing to ensure voting in next year's elections is harder

 

[Sassy Colombian]

Hypocrisy at its highest!

 

[BlueTX]

184 years ago today Texas declared independence from Mexico because its white residents did not want to be subjected to Mexico's anti-slave policies. Quite a lot has happened since that time but the state is still politically controlled by bellends with no moral compass.

 

[Sassy Colombian]

184 years ago today Texas declared independence from Mexico because its white residents did not want to be subjected to Mexico's anti-slave policies. Quite a lot has happened since that time but the state is still politically controlled by bellends with no moral compass.

Once again Republican governors are jeopardizing getting this pandemic under control, they are such a morons. It really makes no sense. When Abbott announced a statewide mask mandate. On that Thursday, July 2nd, there were 7,434 new Covid-19 cases in Texas and 44 deaths. Yesterday, there were 8,140 cases and 129 deaths.

 

[TN Toffee]

Once again Republican governors are jeopardizing getting this pandemic under control, they are such a morons. It really makes no sense. When Abbott announced a statewide mask mandate. On that Thursday, July 2nd, there were 7,434 new Covid-19 cases in Texas and 44 deaths. Yesterday, there were 8,140 cases and 129 deaths.

They’ve apparently literally learned nothing in the year we’ve been fighting this virus. The moment that case numbers start to go down, they assume the pandemic must be over, and remove any mitigation techniques that got the numbers trending in the right direction in the first place. Then 3-4 weeks later they’re right back where they started, or oftentimes worse.