That's great! -- Notes from Zarahemla Political Forum

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Date Posted: 07:53:22 08/13/05 Sat
Author: Chuck in ND
Subject: That's great!
In reply to: TastingTheBlood 's message, "Thanks, Kathy!" on 22:39:59 08/12/05 Fri

Do you realize how much you have changed the demographics of this board??

You write with a maturity and understanding not seen in most adults. I would have no problem with YOU voting :D I also have no problem with a long-haired, chained and black clothed person voting. It's not the dress but what's in the head.

And there's the problem. Our Founders recognized that most people don't begin to lose their self-interested motiviations till they turn 21, maybe have a family, a job, etc. As a rule, 18 yos have a very narrow view of the world, a limited understanding of history and are still pretty self-centered in their approach to just about everthing. Notice I said "as a rule"--it's quite likely you--and many other youths--do not fit that picture. There are lots of things we limit by age, because experience tells us that as a rule most under that age are not equipped to handle the responsibilities: driving, drinking, military service, etc. Yes, there are likely many youths who would qualify (emotionally, intellectually, physically) for those priveleges at an earlier age. But we can't make policy based on the exceptions to the rule.

But standing where we are today---2005, 18yos have the vote--that no longer worries me as much as all the 18+ yos that vote. Everyone here has probably alreay heard me tell this story: There was an article in the paper a yr or more ago about a HS teacher who said "I don't really care what my students remember about my classes. I don't care if they can remember anything about Roosevelt or the Civil War. When I see former students, my one question to them is 'Did you vote?'" !!??!? How's that for a quality citizen?? "I don't care if you can think, I don't care if you have an ounce of knowledge, but you BETTER vote!!" After watching Leno's Jay Walking, I think we could solve the whole problem by administering a test--nothing too big, just things like how many states in the US? Who is our current Pres/VP? What are the three branches of gov? Where does all the money come from that the gov gives to you/your schools/your city/state?

I know that would cause more outrage than the Rodney King acquittal, but it really bugs me that my vote counts just as much as the bozo on Leno who can't even name our VP or the first Pres of US.

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Replies:

How about this... -- TastingTheBlood, 21:33:23 08/13/05 Sat
- I mostly agree -- Bembix, 01:17:43 08/14/05 Sun
- Oh I don't know... -- Chuck in ND, 15:34:06 08/14/05 Sun