Rudd plans to lower voting age to 16 (1 Viewer)

[katie tully]

lol Hack

that bitch is crazy, whatever her name is, kate something something

 

[katie tully]

 

[gorgeoussmile]

Yea, get people to vote at 16. Too many 16 year olds have no idea what is going on in the world around them. Yes i understand that their votes could be misinformed, or they'll just do stupid shit on the ballot, but there are those who'll take it seriously, and there will be those who will learn to take it seriously.. Good move..

 

[SashatheMan]

Fair enough. But there are 16s who *do* give a crap. I did. My friends did. Maybe it should be optional for 16s and 17s and then compulsory from 18?

Isn't that what he did?

 

[Aldehyde]

The majority of my friends haven't really developed any real political views yet. While there would be many teenagers with an excellent understanding of and appreciation for Australian politics, I think that at 16 we may lack some life experience which is an integral part of molding our political views.
There would also be many people that are completely ignorant to Australian politics, however, this definitely isn't just teenagers =P Then again, at 16 we are old enough to leave school, get a job, and to have sex, so maybe voting isn't that much of a leap. In my opinion, I think 16 is a little too young, and I think age 18 is a good age.
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[SashatheMan]

I swear i read another article somewhere, in which it stated that the consideration to lower the voting age to 16, would only make it voluntary for younger people. It's a win win.

 

[S.H.O.D.A.N.]

Yea, get people to vote at 16. Too many 16 year olds have no idea what is going on in the world around them. Yes i understand that their votes could be misinformed, or they'll just do stupid shit on the ballot, but there are those who'll take it seriously, and there will be those who will learn to take it seriously.. Good move..

Not to mention that people live longer now anyway. They'll be counter-balanced by more old people voting.

 

[Lentern]

Hmmm, what I'm afraid of in the scenario of 16 year olds voting is their parents not just influencing who they vote for, but controlling who they vote for. Would it be possible to make sure that the parents have no way of knowing who their children voted for?

I can just imagine some of the girls in my year...
"I don't like the hair on that one, he's such a dag. Let's vote for the other one. What's his name? Turnbull? No, that's silly name; let's not vote for him."

There are a helluva lot of of dopes who are above 18 voting for who has the nicer smile or cuter accent. As it would be voluntary between 16-18 kids are probably less likely to be apathetic clots then the rest of the voting populace.

 

[copkiller]

If you're old enough to be taxed, you're old enough to have a say how your tax dollars are spent.

 

[JonathanM]

If they lower the voting age, they must lower other things, like taxation etc.

Voting is a right and a privilege, and you cannot be allowed to enjoy this without contributing to society like everyone else. Fuck, I hope this doesn't happen, some of the 16 year old idiots I know should not be allowed to vote. Hell, some of the 18+ idiots I know should not be allowed to vote, but at least they have a few more years of 'wisdom' under their belt.

Rudd is a smart man. He knows that despite his constant assault on the Australian youth, through collective punishment in the way of higher taxation on alcohol and moves towards net censorship, and despite leaving us all with a huge debt to pay off in exchange for his political ticket, most are still beguiled by false overtures such as his appearances on Rove and the signing of the pointless Kyoto Protocol.

 

[katie tully]

What is this "shouldn't be allowed to vote" bullshit.

Who are you beacons of wisdom to decide who should have the right to vote or not? Idiots or not, we live in a "democratic" society, and every moron and his dog as a citizen have the right to vote.

16 year olds have jobs and pay taxes, are old enough to have sex and start driving on the roads, they're old enough to vote.

 

[Planck]

This is going to end up with over 9,000 years of Labor. When I was 16 I'd have gladly voted Labor, now I realise they don't give a flying fuck about anyone, so fuck them.

 

[katie tully]

It's going to make no difference because 16 year olds don't even know how to write their own name let alone follow ballot instructions.

And all you have to do is remind them that their vodka cruisers cost 3 times as much now because of Labor.

Play them by their heart strings.

Throw in internet censorship of their porn and other nanny state threats.

 

[Aldehyde]

it's going to make no difference because 16 year olds don't even know how to write their own name let alone follow ballot instructions.

And all you have to do is remind them that their vodka cruisers cost 3 times as much now because of labor.

Play them by their heart strings.

Throw in internet censorship of their porn and other nanny state threats.

lol

 

[Riet]

Fuck that 16 year olds are fucking dumb I dont want them voting.

Srsly, what next? Electoral voting via SMS?

"TXT RUDD to 131 CUNT to vote for the ALP."

Fuck off this isn't Australia Idol.

 

[Nebuchanezzar]

MEH. when i was 16 i was ready to vote. i reckon most people here would say the same of themselves.

16 year olds are members of society, more or less fully functioning too.

let them voet!

 

[ashie0]

Majority of sixteen/seventeen year olds i know would vote liberal or for smaller parties.

We're not all that retarded, no more retarded than the majority of Australian's. I work, i pay taxes, i deserve the option of voting.

 

[ashie0]

You sure do, once you hit 18.

Well don't tax me until i'm eighteen.

 

[Aldehyde]

Is there any problem with the current system? I'm not seeing many 16yr olds that passionate about voting that they'd actually do something about it.

 

[ashie0]

Sure, don't benefit from the government or receive any youth allowance, use the roads, put out ur garbage or watch free tv then.

All the things you mentioned above i contribute too yet i don't have a say on who decides how this money is spent. I work, i drive, i pay tax etc etc so why on earth shouldn't I have the option of voting?