Do you agree with the 26th ammendment?
Are kids of the age 18 mature enough to vote?
Tell us why.
Yes
Side Score: 25
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No
Side Score: 26
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although I agree with this... it doesn't mean that the debate is over. Lets say we eliminate the draft... than that means people will be joining the military voluntarily. They are choosing to fight for their country, and this means that technically the Government is not in debt to them. It relies on the choice of the individual. Really, to me this is a perfect opportunity to test debate skills. I could just do what most other people do and say "yep"... but lets fuck with everyone. Side: No
I'm playing DA, so lets see how far this goes: 1. Lets say we eliminate any other chance of their being a draft. Many already believe that a voluntary military is much more successful than a drafted military, so odds are we won't ever have a draft again... and, we could eliminate the chance of it happening ever again. So, if and when we do that, and the choice to join the military becomes a real choice (which it currently is), why is the government obligated to give 18 y/o voting rights (despite the amendment, lets say we get rid of it)? 2. What if we make it so that only those who join the military receive the right to vote? That would certainly help in taking away the idea that you can die for your country but you can't vote. Side: No
Maybe I'm just saying this because I'll be registering to vote later on this month or next month. :) I think by the time you're 18, you're more mature than you ever have been, obviously. Although not all 18-year-olds are mature enough to vote, a good portion are mature enough. And the ones that are not usually don't vote anyway, so it all works out. The thing that's always bothered me, however, is how 18 is such a magical number. I don't see how somebody who is 18 years, 1 month is more mature, legally, than somebody who is 17 years, 11 months. It's as if suddenly, you turn 18 and a whole new world opens. I think there should be a big thing once you get a high school diploma or something. I still had to get working papers to work (this is a side note), even though I already graduated. But I don't turn 18 until the 20th... =/ Side: yes
is it really fair to say "well, if they're not mature enough they probably won't vote". That seems pretty lazy and irresponsible. Relying on someone else to not hurt you because "eh, i don't think he has the balls". many 18 y/o are still in high school and experimenting with drugs and still going through their shit hormones. Not to mention that most of them don't watch or read the news. Side: No
Ugh, I'll say yes because I don't think voting restrictions should be based on age. But rather something else. The only thing annoying me about voters is that they're voting in a way where they don't even know who they're voting for. "Oh ya, I voted for Obama." "Why?" "Because I wanted to and he looks cool." Wonderful. Side: yes
By 18 any person can have acquired the knowledge and wisdom to make an informed decision. Many haven't, but many in their 60's haven't either in my opinion, so where's the cut-off going to be? I'm actually for a standardized basic intelligence test that would have nothing to do with age for the right to vote, but that's fantasy land as every side has their idiots they depend on for a vote. When age becomes important for decision making I think is when there is a long term health concern above and beyond what a normal adult would face. The brain is not finished developing in most cases until around the mid-twenties, and so alcohol for example can have long-term and permanent effects that would not be present in an adult. Then again though, how do you stop an 18 year old from drinking if they really want to? Anyway, I think 18 is old enough to make an informed decision on issues... maybe even 17. That's the lowest I would go though, I've met very few 16 year olds who I wasn't almost positive were mentally retarded. Side: yes
The youth have far more at stake in politics than the elderly. I propose that the voting age be lowered to 16 with provisional voting rights till 18. Voters between 16 and 18 would have to take a class (it could even be an online class) where they would learn about the issues of the moment and be educated about the privilege of voting. I believe that such a program would dramatically increase voter turn out and civic engagement. Side: yes
18 years old ought to be the voting age due to the fact that that age is when citizens are officially considered adults. Throughout western history, an approximation of this age has been used to define adulthood and the rights and responsibilities that come along with it (including, as mentioned above, the duty of defending their nation). As for maturity, I do believe that 18 year olds (at least those who care enough to vote) are certainly mature enough to make an informed and responsible decision when voting. Side: yes
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Im not sure that 21 year olds are old enough to vote given the rersults of the last election. I think that there may be a bit too much naivete at those younger ages...I know I was. Too many of decisions made at that age are based on emotion instead of rational thinking and the world is much too dangerous a place for that. Just an opinion. Side: No
Who you calling a "geezer" : )~ I was always taught that strategies are written in sand and are temporary....principles are written in stone and are timeless. I prefer the wisdom of experience through principles than either aged "geezer" cynicism or youthful exuberance. BTW I don't think that a person should be able to be drafted until he or she is at least 25 or volunteer until they are 21! Give these folks a chance to experience life and form some solid values based on what ever principles they choose to value! What you think? Side: No
Well, I'm just gonna play devil's advocates and try to rebuttal as many points as i can. So lets start with saying that 18 year olds are not smart enough to decide on who should run this country. It's irresponsible to let these morons decide the country's fate. We have enough doing so as it is. Side: No
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