Sarah left a commentThe sooner sixteen and seventeen year olds start acting like responsible adults the sooner they will be able to get a vote, which wont be very soon at all. The caliber of sixteen and seventeen year olds in this country now are the most immature I have ever seen and you think that they should have a say on who runs the country. Gimme a break
Behzad left a commentWOW! Your "BUSY-O-METER" is on the verge of exploding!
Jack left a commentA fantastic campaign! Good luck!
Anastasia
Thank you so much! Need all the support I can get!
caroline left a commentFANTASTIC Well done Great start to the Campaign x
Andrew Gray left a commentOh dear, another votes at 16 campaign? You realise the majority of 16 year olds up until 18 are still in education and thus do not pay tax? I'm in that situation. If the American's used the term "No Taxation without Representation" then perhaps we should use "No Representation without Taxation!" for the anti-votes @ 16 campaign.
Harry Matthews
However, if you can have sex, marry and join the army (as well as work - but as you've said - to a lesser degree of importance), surely there should be standardisation of when an individual is considered an adult and therefore it would be appropriate to move the voting age to 16?
Behzad
I completely agree with what Harry said. Just because the majority of 16 year olds are not paying Tax, it doesn't mean they are not part of the society and don't have the right to express their opinions. Pensioners and people on benefits are not paying taxes either (and are even receiving money from the government), how come the "No Representation without Taxation" logic does not apply to them?
Anastasia
Behzad and Harry - great points. Andrew I can see where you are coming from but it's time to stop rolling your eyes i.e. by saying "another votes at 16 campaign?" because of course there's another one; there will be one until the voting age is lowered! There is a reason for there being continued debate and discussion and that reason is because it is a major issue that needs to be sorted. The expression "anti-votes" should be politically incorrect because it sounds to me like an oppressive society where important voices are ignored, not a democratic society.
Anastasia
Behzad and Harry - great points. Andrew I can see where you are coming from but it's time to stop rolling your eyes i.e. by saying "another votes at 16 campaign?" because of course there's another one; there will be one until the voting age is lowered! There is a reason for there being continued debate and discussion and that reason is because it is a major issue that needs to be sorted. The expression "anti-votes" should be politically incorrect because it sounds to me like an oppressive society where important voices are ignored, not a democratic society.
Paul Sims left a commentHi Anastasia,
I'm pleased you have decided to campaign to lower the voting age. I hope your work and this programme gives the issue more publicity and momentum.
Best of luck,
Paul.
caroline left a commentBacking you all the way xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Jim Rogers left a commentWow Anastasia - this is a fantastic movement you are creating! I am so excited for you. Although I'm in America, I will watch your progress and the progress of your movement with great interest. Stay the course, keep focused, and remember - all great change that has occurred has been driven by young people.
Super proud of you - let me know if i can help in some way!
Be sure to tell your Mum the 'Rogers' from Florida said Hi!
Jim
caroline
Hi Jim, be fab to have you guys in the US to support Anastasia's campaign xx
Comments
0 likes LikeWell, I personally think it's the exact opposite! The sooner sixteen and seventeen year olds get the right to vote, the sooner they will start acting like responsible adults and care about the future of their country! By giving them the right to vote, you are telling them that we value your opinions and that's the best motivation for them to start thinking about politics and to take things seriously! On the other hand by telling them you're too young to vote, you are just encouraging them not to care and that leads to the situation we have today!
Yes exacly Behzad fantastic response. I mean Sarah, I honestly can see where you're coming from.. many 16 year olds act immaturely, but you have to ask yourself why this is - it's beause they simply aren't taken seriously enough. Why should they bother being serious when they are just shunned in to the negative stereotype no matter what they say? By giving them the vote you are giving them REAL RESPONSIBILTY and I can guarantee many of them will use this effectively. So stop asking for breaks and help get the vote!