Republicans latest attempt to save a dying party - raise the voting age

People today also have much longer life expectancies. Those who support capping the maximum age to hold public office could argue that we should do the same with voters; perhaps exceptions could be made for seniors over a certain age but only if they can pass certain testing.

Limiting the rights of either young adults or senior adults would likely have a partisan result given voting patterns. That's one reason why I don't think an age-based constitutional amendment will pass. Neither side wants to handicap its own base and give an advantage to the other side.

 

I think some yes, some no. You definitely don't want to give people so much that you disincentivize work or innovation.

If you treat all things necessary to survive as entitlements, you're really not giving people much incentive to work or go out on a limb and start a business.

Also, for a guy who bitches about insults you seem to do quite a bit of that on your own.

The notion that people aren't provided things like welfare benefits in red states is just absurd. This entire country has a welfare state, you're just whining that it's not big enough despite the flat screen, cell phone, and Xbox in the typical poor person's home with children and despite poor people having a "too much food" problem rather than a "starving problem."

Doesn't mean some people aren't struggling, but "struggling" in the modern Western sense is nowhere close to the same as struggling in the non-Western sense or the historical sense.

It has plenty to do with it. If you treat everything necessary to survive as an entitlement, then give citizenship to anybody who wants to work here, you don't see how that would apply pressure to the system?

If you were to create a blueprint of how to cripple an economy, a vast welfare state that guarantees everything anyone needs paired with the loosest of immigration systems is an excellent way to start.

 

I don't think it'll pass either with any kind of bipartisan support (simply because they can't discuss anything without flamethrowers). I'm simply saying I can see the merits in restoring the voting age from 18 back to 21 where it was and believe they would outweigh the deficiencies.

You absolutely could make that argument and you'd be right. And therein lies the compromise. Do you also support a direct popular vote or the current electoral college system? Because a big part of the reason the EC exists is to mitigate exactly that.

 

I'm not sure if it's just an issue of partisan flame-throwing, although both sides certainly know which sorts of age-based voting restrictions would help or hurt them. The 26th Amendment was widely supported and popular. I do find it interesting that according to Wikipedia, South Dakota didn't ratify it until 2014. Not sure why it did so then. Apparently, no action has been taken on the 26th Amendment by the following states: Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Utah.

 

Well we're not going to get anywhere here. Typical 'they have cell phones, flat screens...' shit. But as for insults, can you point to where I insulted you in this thread? An actual insult and not the usual back and forth?

Has nothing to do with it. Just a typical straw man. You've been watching/reading too much right-wing media.

 

I’d also make the argument that just because someone is older doesn’t mean that they have any more experience, especially that which may be far more broad based.

 

I say keep it a 18 years of age, if you are in the military, all others should be 21.

 

You're right, but it certainly does increase the odds. Especially in today's world as compared to just 50 years ago. 18 year olds had to be more mature out of necessity compared to today.

 

Disagree to some extent. I’m around 18 year olds all day and I think that you might be romanticizing a bit. I know several young people that are far more intelligent and mature than some of the folks that post here.

 

From your judgment and pov, I don’t doubt that one bit. Lol.

 

Again, of course there are some much better than others. That's true of any generation. However, compared to previous, the majority I've encountered are wholly spoiled and only interested in their immediate and instant gratification. Again, it's playing the odds.

 

My experience is different. Again, the adage that with age comes wisdom is problematic as well.

Edit to add: my students are the high flyers in a wealthy community which certainly has its own challenges at times.

 

Your experience is that 18 year olds show better judgment and more wisdom than older folks.
Nice take.

 

OK, so that becomes a function of "nature vs nurture" based on your sample. Playing the odds on your sample of course the success percentage would be higher. Goes to my statement in the school thread. I'd be willing to wager that there are many more actively engaged parents in your class? Most students don't have such advantages

 

She said she knows young people who are far more intelligent and mature than some (hint, hint) of the folks that post here. Knowing the people who post here, that's not at all hard to believe.

 

That’s not what she said. In her discussion with desert, she double and tripled down on the notion that wiser and older is not better.
It was like watching a mule stuck in the mud. No budging.

 

Good luck with changing the Constitution in the current environment. I disagree; I talk with 18 year olds as I live in a college town; they know more about politics than most people who think they know.

 

You were dropped one too many times as a child.

 

So I guess the board righties are down with raising voting age to 24, even though you can be drafted at 18. Good god.

Practically none of the Florida Gators, nor most college athletes, would be eligible to vote, in spite of some of them pulling in 7 figures in endorsements.

There is just no limit to the ridiculousness you guys can be on board with.

 

Not me.