Welsh 16 year olds get the vote - Page 6

Mr K · 08-12-2019, 16:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

Not old enough to buy alcohol & cigarettes.

But old enough to get married/procreate. It's for 5 years ahead which takes them into their 20's, the most important time of their lives, where the Govt. Of the day could influence many things for them. There's only one reason why the Govt. don't want young people to vote and we know what that is.

We could equally say anyone over 75 shouldn't vote as mentally they maybe aren't up to it, they probably aren't paying much tax, and don't have much of a stake in the future. It'd be wrong, but more of a case than denying 16/17 year olds a say in their future.

TheDaddy · 09-12-2019, 09:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

Not old enough to buy alcohol & cigarettes.

Both things detrimental to health, are you saying being having a say politically is as detrimental to health or something?

Carth · 09-12-2019, 14:56

Lets face it, anyone with a definite interest and understanding of politics at the age of 16 probably leads a very uninteresting life.

At that age I was only interested in music, my guitar, football, girls, and my new job . . not necessarily in that order. Politics (and religion) was something old people talked about

to be fair, not much has changed

OLD BOY · 09-12-2019, 16:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr K

But old enough to get married/procreate. It's for 5 years ahead which takes them into their 20's, the most important time of their lives, where the Govt. Of the day could influence many things for them. There's only one reason why the Govt. don't want young people to vote and we know what that is.

We could equally say anyone over 75 shouldn't vote as mentally they maybe aren't up to it, they probably aren't paying much tax, and don't have much of a stake in the future. It'd be wrong, but more of a case than denying 16/17 year olds a say in their future.

Yes, procreate so many children that you can't afford to raise them without relying on huge payments from the State. Common sense is not much in abundance for the majority of 16-year-olds. The minimum voting age should be 25. Most people have at least a degree of maturity by then.

**Damien** · 09-12-2019, 20:16

I love how many 'democrats' are for limiting the franchise to those they deem worthy.

**Hugh** · 09-12-2019, 20:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

I love how many 'democrats' are for limiting the franchise to those they deem worthy.

In Afghanistan, the average age of British Forces casualties is 22 - two hundred soldiers have been killed in their twenties and 31 teenagers are among the death toll.

But sure, let’s propose taking away their right to vote...

OLD BOY · 09-12-2019, 21:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh

In Afghanistan, the average age of British Forces casualties is 22 - two hundred soldiers have been killed in their twenties and 31 teenagers are among the death toll.

But sure, let’s propose taking away their right to vote...

I know - let's make an exception for those serving in the Armed Forces.

**Hugh** · 09-12-2019, 21:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

I know - let's make an exception for those serving in the Armed Forces.

They fight to defend democracy, not to be an exception to it.

**Mick** · 09-12-2019, 22:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh

They fight to defend democracy, not to be an exception to it.

Wrong actually - they choose to fight because they have volunteered to do so, this should not give them automatic right to do something just because they opted to join the military.

**Hugh** · 10-12-2019, 08:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mick

Wrong actually - they choose to fight because they have volunteered to do so, this should not give them automatic right to do something just because they opted to join the military.

I think we’re in agreement about this - they should not be an exception.

OLD BOY · 10-12-2019, 10:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh

I think we’re in agreement about this - they should not be an exception.

I agree, my post was tongue in cheek, as most will have realised. But nor should they have the vote as most are not mature enough to understand the context of the things they see. A few years away from academia and into the real world generally starts to make them question what they once believed.

**Maggy** · 10-12-2019, 13:20

If someone is deemed old enough to fight for their country then they are old enough to vote.

papa smurf · 10-12-2019, 13:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggy

If someone is deemed old enough to fight for their country then they are old enough to vote.

Exactly and that is 18 years old as 16 year olds don't fight.

**Maggy** · 10-12-2019, 14:46

Also if someone fights for this country then they should automatically become citizens but that's a whole other can of worms.

OLD BOY · 10-12-2019, 16:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggy

If someone is deemed old enough to fight for their country then they are old enough to vote.

No, they are not. They may be physically strong, but mentally they would not have fully developed.

Choosing who runs the country is an important matter and we cannot afford for young people to have the vote when they can so easily be influenced by adults close to them.

If there is an issue here, it should be the minimum age at which you can fight for your country that is raised, not the voting age that is lowered.