|
Once upon a time I wrote an opinion peice for the local newspaper about how 16 year olds ought to be able to vote. They're old enough to spend money and drive cars and be taxed, they should have a say. Although I admit there is some logic to making 18 be the drawing line for everything- freedom to contract, drink, pose nude, get drafted, vote, etc..., I think society has placed limits on activities that seem to be pretty reasonable too. Most 16 year olds can drive, but shouldn't be trusted with alcohol, for example.
What I think is a better solution (that kinda goes against my anti-government normal sentiments) is to do away with age restrictions and limitations, but just make it very difficult for younger kids to do whatever. If there's a gung-ho 17 year old that wants to join the army, and he is willing to expend the effort to slog through the red tape to make it possible, maybe he should be able to do so. When I was 16 I would have done a whole lot to be able to vote, because I was a real political nerd, but I would have made a more informed decision than most that year. If we made it harder to vote, the ones that do vote really want to then, right? Maybe not red tape, but think up a test or something. Government red tape is bad, right?
|