Voting at 16 (3 Viewers)

[Jimmy Recard]

voting should be optional. see when it was brought up that 16 year olds should be able to vote, i immediately thought back to year 10 and the amount of dead-shit/fucking idiots we had in our year. the idea of them having a say on our political institutions makes me mad. then i thought, wait a second, the fact is they still are more than likely drooling idiots today.

summary: people are dumb and it saddens me

exactly

people dont just automatically become informed or start caring about politics when they turn 18

chances are if they dont before that they probably wont care after they turn 18

 

[Blastus]

I used to be a trot and was I able to vote when I was 16 I would have voted against the glorious John Howard (PBUH) whereas when I was over 18 and old enough to vote I realised that he was a hero (hero) and saviour (saviour messiah) of Australia

 

[writer'sblock]

If you can be taxed, you can vote.
democracy is an odd idea in the history of political thought.
So as far as i'm concerned the justifications for voting are intersted as a political science student.
The idea that all people of a certain age can vote is radical insofar as it removes the technical power of the governing class. those out of the governing class have not the specialised knowledge of running the state nor its internal working. hence the argument that if you have knowledge, or merit you ought control the reins of society is an odd on.
technically the term for this rule of the best is called aristocracy.
What prevents democracy, rule of the people from becoming Ochlocracy, rule of the masses or mob rule.

 

[SylviaB]

writers block thinks that society should be run by a bunch of enlightened oligarchs who are somehow magically omniscient and benevolent

 

[funkshen]

Please elaborate, writers'block.

 

[Jimmy Recard]

sweet jesus

 

[Bloodstriker]

Politicains say kids are stupid and immature?
Politicians are stupid and immature
therefore i have come to the conclusion politcians are under the age of 18

 

[Blastus]

Politicains say kids are stupid and immature?
Politicians are stupid and immature
therefore i have come to the conclusion politcians are under the age of 18

fucking kill yourself

 

[Bloodstriker]

no thanks bro that's fucked

 

[scuba_steve2121]

Personally I don't think we should even have a government to voting be on however that is not my point. Yes it is true most people around the ages of 16-18 do not care about politics and if they do, they are highly susceptible to the demagogy that all parties ascribe to. Having said all of this, I believe the vote should be given to those who pay tax regardless of their age. If the state is stealing your money you should have 'a say' in where it goes. Yes you can also deduce from that statement that if you are over 18 and you do not pay tax you should not be given the vote. This of course is pointed towards dole bluggers. Then again exceptions can be made for example old age pensioners who have worked all their life and men who have fought for this country in the armed forces.

 

[Blastus]

yeahhhh scuba steve is back

 

[Lolsmith]

Personally I don't think we should even have a government to voting be on however that is not my point. Yes it is true most people around the ages of 16-18 do not care about politics and if they do, they are highly susceptible to the demagogy that all parties ascribe to. Having said all of this, I believe the vote should be given to those who pay tax regardless of their age. If the state is stealing your money you should have 'a say' in where it goes. Yes you can also deduce from that statement that if you are over 18 and you do not pay tax you should not be given the vote. This of course is pointed towards dole bluggers. Then again exceptions can be made for example old age pensioners who have worked all their life and men who have fought for this country in the armed forces.

What about those who receive welfare, as well as pay tax? Would those who receive more than they pay be excluded from voting?

 

[Squishxmishyx]

I didn't even know I had 3 holes down there when I was 16.

 

[funkshen]

Migrant workers and tourists pay all kinds of taxes.

Whether the state is a coercive/illegitimate/larcenous institution is irrelevant. That the payment of a fee be the precondition for suffrage in the aforementioned institution is obviously a ridiculous notion and clearly does the opposite of maximising liberty.

 

[Funky Monk]

he paid 2000 dolla tax i paid 40 thou, i want 20 votes whawahwah

 

[Graney]

I believe the vote should be given to those who pay tax regardless of their age. If the state is stealing your money you should have 'a say' in where it goes. Yes you can also deduce from that statement that if you are over 18 and you do not pay tax you should not be given the vote.

Cut out the middleman and just put law reform up to the highest bidder, purchase individual aspects of law reform, bid against opposing interests, this is consistent.

 

[Hagaren]

If you pay tax you can vote, but you sure as fuck shouldn't have to.

 

[scuba_steve2121]

What about those who receive welfare, as well as pay tax? Would those who receive more than they pay be excluded from voting?

Fair question, can you prehaps give an example?

Migrant workers and tourists pay all kinds of taxes.

Whether the state is a coercive/illegitimate/larcenous institution is irrelevant. That the payment of a fee be the precondition for suffrage in the aforementioned institution is obviously a ridiculous notion and clearly does the opposite of maximising liberty.

when did i say anything about maximising liberity? if you have a state you already have thrown out the concept of liberity, I'm just trying to work within this shitty framework. In addition would you really want people who contribute nothing to society and than proceed to leach off of it, to be deciding the methods that you are to be opressed by laws made for you not by you? This further allows government to appeal to these kinds of people if they have the vote. "We'll up the dole if you vote for us!!!!". getting support for a policy which has no benefits to anyone as a whole.

Cut out the middleman and just put law reform up to the highest bidder, purchase individual aspects of law reform, bid against opposing interests, this is consistent.

Or further cut out the middleman and get rid of the whole system of oppression? but yes that is consistent as far as I can see

 

[Jimmy Recard]

family tax benefit A