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I believe it should be raised to 21, as well as the age to be drafted.
Nix the draft, Jared, it just ain't needed.
There have always been plenty of people ready & willing to go into harms way to defend everyones freedom!
I refer you to my statements in the other post about this same sort of stuff about drinkin & going to war & voting.
No it should not be it is fine where it is.
Raising it may not be a bad idea. There is a huge maturity level difference between 18 and 21. Voting is very important, a little more maturity and life experience may not be a bad thing.
I agree with you. I'm 20, but I can tell that I am so much more mature than I was when I was 18.
I think we should leave it at 18, but I have a rather new idea.
There are several minors I know (myself included) that would love to vote. I keep abreast of the issues, and am fairly knowledgable of the political process. I think that for those of us under the legal voting age, there should be an exam. This exam would encompass basic political knowledge- the major candidates for the current race, a working knowledge of the US Constitution and the political process, and knowledge of how our system works. If you pass, you get to vote, regardless of your age. If you don't, sorry. You can try again next time.
There are probably a few design flaws in this idea that I'm overlooking, but it sounds great to me! ^.^
Only if the draft compliance or ability to serve in the military is moved to age 21. Since the most prevalent reason to vote is to exercise a check on foreign policy, particularly wars of aggression or choice, it's probably necessary to have voting tied mostly to the ability to serve in military operations at the low end of the voting spectrum.
Personally I think it's fine where it is. Younger people voting in large statistically useful amounts is not a significant risk. Being part of two groups that don't vote as often: young people and poor people, what's the downside risk to the rest of us in extending some recognition to the ability of people at that age to go fire a gun or drive a tank for their country if we were to compel them to or ask it of them?
I agree with some of what Liberty said especially in light of what has just occured. Voter ed is what we need. Youngsters who cast a vote towards someone they think is cool. Or that their friends are going to vote for becuase it is trendy. Or those who were manipulated by biased media reporting. Or worst yet because they think a candidate is cute are most of the reasons we are in the quick sand death trap we are in now. On the other hand, you can not force people to be smart. This is not a video game.You can only hope that they realize this is our country and our freedom on the line. Age has little to do with it.
The sad part is that we will never see 21 being the minimum age to serve in the military. The government looks for confused teenagers to put their lives in harm's way for the politicians.
Fighting should never be required by a country, and having a draft is definitely a violation of our constitutional rights.
I don't have a problem with 18 year olds being in the military.
I would agree the draft is a constitutional problem (outside of military necessity in the event of invasion). You're better off paying a lot more for soldiers to attract more of them when combat is likely. Drug gangs do that (and the people who run drug gangs are clever folk for recruiting people). I think there's a tax incentive for combat pay (tax exemption) and a pittance of pay increase for the military. Yes, I'm sure that would attract people to go fight our wars.
I think so. Most 18 year old are stoners who just vote for who everyone else is voting for.
Plus, look who we elected President in 2008. It was the biggest year for young voter turnout. That tells you all you need to know.
18 is fine…if they can die for their country they can vote
most young pl dont vote most have better things do do if they aren't informed of the candidates or situations so the maturity level is not something to worry about also if you can die for your country you should be allowed to drink…just saying and fyi i am 21 so this isnt an opinion just bc i "wish" i could drink