That’s true but nonetheless, even with a small share of the electorate young people seem to vote (according to the numbers I’ve seen) at rates between 40% and 49% which is startlingly high.
His justification for the idea that young people “think with their genitals” is particularly amusing if you haven’t heard it before. Essentially, young people are always growing, but growth causes pain and too much pain makes people want pleasure more too. So young people want pleasure. But perhaps I focused too much on genital pleasure and not enough on other types because Aristotle’s argument could apply to any pleasure of any sense.
All citizens that qualify for voting privelidges have the right to vote, and I agree with it. Just because they may vote in a way that another person would doesn’t disqualify their vote, or their reasons for voting the way they do. Everyone’s vote is as imporant as the next person’s vote. It’s too bad that the next person doesn’t agree with them, or doesn’t get to direct their vote, but that’s the way it is: each citizen has their vote.
Do you really think so? You really think that the value of the person who thoroughly researches a candidate’s positions, evaluate’s the proportionate impacts of those positions and votes for what they believe to be the best candidate is of equal value to the voter who pulls the lever for the guy who aired the most commercials? Seriously? You can’t really argue that such people don’t exist, do you?
In case you didn’t know it the US is not nor has it ever been a democracy.
Yes I really think the 'lesser educated" or the “lesser qualified” person’s vote matters just as much. They live here too, and like it or not, they have the right to voice their opinions and concerns and what better way than to cast a vote. Seriously. It’s highly unlikely that your ‘person who thoroughly researches a candidate’s positions’, etc. will know all about the ‘other guys’ concerns and what matters to them. That ‘more qualified’ voter will be considering what’s important to them, not someone they don’t agree with and most likely don’t relate to.
You are confusing me with someone else. I nowhere suggest that we test anyone’s “education level” or “qualfication level.” Setting the bar at remembering candidate’s names merely weeds out those too apathetic to bother learning about candidates. Anyone motivated to vote who is willing to put 10 minutes of work into it can learn the names of the candidates they want.
I would think that people who are that apathetic wouldn’t take the time out of their day to go vote anyway.
Never been an election judge, have you?I would think that people who are that apathetic wouldn’t take the time out of their day to go vote anyway.
Another solution in search of a problem.
Hear, hear, I’m young too. I just turned 22 two days ago. I do not believe I should be allowed to vote. Don’t get me wrong, I am indeed arrogant enough to think I am more intelligent than the vast majority of people ages 30 and up, and honestly do in fact believe that.
This is fine with me, on one condition, citizens cannot be drafted into the military until they are 30.
I’d be all over that if there was an alternative to military service. Not everyone qualifies for the military.
Yes but should we have the Fascist system Robert Heinlein has put in his book ST?
The purpose of voting is not about ‘the welfare of the country’ if it was we would live a technocracy, where everything is controlled by experts (I.E. economists would have control of matters relating to the economy instead if politicians) The purpose of democracy is that people should have some say over how their lives are governed. In other words, as long as people who don’t own land are bound by laws then say should have some say in what those laws are. For this same reason I think banning felons from voting is unfair.As far as limits to voting, I would argue (and this would count me out) that only land-owners get to vote. By owning land, you’re making an investment in the country, and have a stake in it’s success, because failure and the eventual collapse of your government may indeed mean the loss of your land, among other things.
As far as the scope goes, referring specifically to the United States, I would agree. The Federal government isn’t meant to be a government over millions, but simply a government over 50, by the current count - a government of governments, but not necessarily a government governing governments.
Any real political decisions ought to be made at the lowest denominator. The decisions that affect the residents the most ought to be made the lowest level. As far as a possible example goes, I would love for the Feds to tax the various states x amount of money based on population, while the various states can decide how to raise that money…aka, remove all other taxes, except tariffs)
Why is the Robert Heinlein’s system a fascist system? The citizens have free speech, the right to trial by jury, and everybody has the chance to serve and earn their right to vote.
Tyranny of the majority or minority is inevitable in the Constitution whether you have the Alien and Sedition Acts passed by Congress or the Southern States threatening to secede from the US if their demands involving slavery were not met.
I never understand this reasoning. I actually plan on joining the military within the next year. But I still don’t think I should be allowed to vote. Why am I supposed to make a connection between serving in the military and voting? Some people take it a step further and connect serving in the military with drinking age. I think that’s a non sequitur.
First, I would like to thank you for your plans to serve our country.
Why should you recieve those things in the first place? How do the “accomplishments” of staying alive 18 years, and staying out of serious trouble with the law make you a responsible citizen who deserves the vote?
Those students are correct, if I am mature enough to vote and change the lives of millions of people, I am surely mature enough to have a drink which will have less grave consequences for a smaller number of people.