Australia up next: Federal election tomorrow

[EricHiggin]

SanAndreasX said:

EricHiggin said:

As to "validity", I agree, but this then also opens the door to things like a minimum age change.

Who really believes an 18 year old is wise enough and well informed enough to vote? They aren't now, and we weren't back then either. "Old enough to fight, old enough to vote", only really makes sense if you're forced to fight. If you've chosen to fight, that's simply your choice. There was good reason why min voting ages were higher in the past, or not even based on age, and while people may argue that, today, we're more educated and have more info at our fingertips, that doesn't necessarily make you more intelligent overall or less prone to being fooled in a world of free, instant social media, where reasonable consequences for those trying to fool you don't really exist.

I'm not for being forced to vote either, but I don't necessarily see any of these rules as black and white, right or wrong. As long as the majority decides and agrees on them then that's acceptable since it would be their choice, assuming they're free to leave as well if they disagree.

In the United States, all 18-year-old males are required to register with the Selective Service. I had to register within 30 days of my 18th birthday. So even though the United States does not currently have an active draft, we are still nonetheless required to register. That, alone, mandates that 18-year-olds be allowed to vote on the people who can make the decisions to activate the draft that can send them into combat. And since the U.S. not only allows 18-year-olds to serve in the military, but the Armed Forces actively recruit in high schools, 18-year-olds should absolutely be given the right to vote, which was why the 26th Amendment was ratified.  Many countries in Europe still have compulsory military service as well. 

As far as being wise and well-informed, there are an awful lot of older people who are neither wise nor well-informed, and indeed act like wrinkled gray men- and women-children. Should they lose the right to vote based on some arbitrary standard? 

I'm personally not willing to allow some designated "wise men" decide my fate in what is supposed to be a democratic free society. 

Well I didn't go into everything I think when it comes to who should be able to vote and why, mostly because it's a lot and this wasn't really the thread to do it in without getting way off topic. Based on what you questioned:

I think if a Country is going to decide to draft, they should have to have an election prior, even if it's a short snap election. Let the people in the age range of the draft vote and decide. Besides that rare occasion, make the min age higher.

I also don't think every old person should be able to vote either. Cognitive ability would be key, so some basic tests should be a given to weed out anyone who's 'lost it', and perhaps an IQ test, with a min cutoff that doesn't weed out the majority however.

I personally wouldn't go to war just because my Gov said I had to. Send those who agree and will willingly sign up to go, because if the war is just, there should be plenty willing to fight, so why do you need me? Unless it's not legit... then fight it yourself and get rekt.