Coming of Age and Misplaced Priorities

[Lady Dragonfly]

I think people are usually inclined to vote for what would supposedly benefit them personally, rather than for what, in their opinion (skillfully manipulated by media and politicians), would supposedly benefit their country. What would actually benefit a country (including job outsourcing) is probably beyond the scope of this thread though.

[dragon wench]

Ode's article doesn't surprise me in the slightest.

I recall once hearing in a political science lecture that a depressing number of people vote in basically a paint by numbers fashion. In other words, they decide in the ballot box, and much of that choice is based on things like.. name recognition.

Apparently, it is only a very small minority who actually think when they vote.

Myself.. I find this appalling. I don't especially care who somebody votes for: Right, Left, or the Bola Wearing Monkey... All I wish is that they make an informed decision, and consider what the politician is actually saying.. And that means. being able to read between the lines as well.

I don't know.. perhaps I'm an elitist..
But, it are for reasons like this that I can't see the justification for requiring that people should be 18 years or more in order to vote. We seem to hold the illusion that "adulthood" automatically confers some kind of knowledge or wisdom... Frankly, I'm a little dubious this is the case, certainly where voting is concerned anyway.

@galraen,
A got that too. But I do think the article indirectly highlights the fact that many so-called adults are no more fit to vote than those who are under 18.

[GawainBS]

Apparently, it is only a very small minority who actually think when they vote.

Myself.. I find this appalling. I don't especially care who somebody votes for: Right, Left, or the Bola Wearing Monkey... All I wish is that they make an informed decision, and consider what the politician is actually saying.. And that means. being able to read between the lines as well.

I don't know.. perhaps I'm an elitist..
But, it are for reasons like this that I can't see the justification for requiring that people should be 18 years or more in order to vote. We seem to hold the illusion that "adulthood" automatically confers some kind of knowledge or wisdom... Frankly, I'm a little dubious this is the case, certainly where voting is concerned anyway.

You answer your doubt yourself, DW. What other objective measurement can we use to determine when someone is able to read between those lines? Age is not the perfect answer, nor is some sort of test, nor is wealth, nor fancy degrees. Age, however, is the only rational answer, however weak an element to build a decision-making on it may be.
One point remains, though: why 18? I have no idea. But it seems a reasonable borderline. If anything, it should be higher.

[dragon wench]

You answer your doubt yourself, DW. What other objective measurement can we use to determine when someone is able to read between those lines? Age is not the perfect answer, nor is some sort of test, nor is wealth, nor fancy degrees. Age, however, is the only rational answer, however weak an element to build a decision-making on it may be.

I think we are going to have to agree to disagree here
I am not convinced that age is an indicator of an ability to vote. And, when you look at voting age in comparison to things like joining the military it becomes even more ridiculous... In some places people are considered fit to serve their country by fighting in extremely dangerous conditions well before they have the right to vote. It just doesn't matter how you slice it, this doesn't add up.

But.. *shrugs* I happen to be of the belief that people should have to write some sort of test prior to voting. Nothing overly complex, but one that does require at least some rudimentary knowledge of a country's political system, and an understanding of what each party represents, as well as knowing which party all of the candidates belong to. Like I said, I'm probably an elitist

[GawainBS]

I think we are going to have to agree to disagree here
I am not convinced that age is an indicator of an ability to vote. And, when you look at voting age in comparison to things like joining the military it becomes even more ridiculous... In some places people are considered fit to serve their country by fighting in extremely dangerous conditions well before they have the right to vote. It just doesn't matter how you slice it, this doesn't add up.

But.. *shrugs* I happen to be of the belief that people should have to write some sort of test prior to voting. Nothing overly complex, but one that does require at least some rudimentary knowledge of a country's political system, and an understanding of what each party represents, as well as knowing which party all of the candidates belong to. Like I said, I'm probably an elitist

Again, I dare you: give an ethical sound (so, non-elitist ) way to determine an appropriate age/ moment when you may vote?
Like I said, age isn't "waterproof" by far, but it's what we'll have to make-do with. Such written tests as you suggest would even further alienate people from the political system.
I wrestle with the same frustrations: why are people who are barely able to distinguish a flamethrower from a match allowed to participate as much in politics as people who spent entire lives on studying history, politics and economics?
On the issue of joining the military: purely based on practical matters. An 18 year old is, generally, physically mature enough to be a capable soldier. Nothing more, nothing less.