Those whacky Californians are at it again...

[Amused]

California Lawmakers Propose Voting Age of 14
By JIM WASSERMAN, AP

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (March 8) - A proposed amendment to California's constitution would give 16-year-olds a half-vote and 14-year-olds a quarter-vote in state elections.

State Sen. John Vasconcellos, among four lawmakers to propose the idea on Monday, said the Internet, cellular phones, multichannel television and a diverse society makes today's teens better informed than their predecessors.

The idea requires two-thirds approval by the Legislature to appear on the November ballot.

"When we gave the vote to those who didn't own property, then to women, then to persons of all colors, we added to the richness of our democratic dialogue and our own nation's integrity and its model for the world," Vasconcellos said, calling it time to further extend the vote.

A Republican colleague said it was "the nuttiest idea I've ever heard."

Said Assemblyman Ray Haynes: "There's a reason why 14-year-olds and 16-year-olds don't vote. They are not adults. They are not mature enough. They are easily deceived by political charlatans."

Student supporters said the idea could give them a say in issues such as education funding and bring new voices to the California electorate.

"If we could vote, politicians would see us as votes, not just kids, and they would take our issues seriously," said Robert Reynolds, a student at Berkeley High School.

 

[AccruedExpenditure]

Originally posted by: Amused
California Lawmakers Propose Voting Age of 14
By JIM WASSERMAN, AP

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (March 8) - A proposed amendment to California's constitution would give 16-year-olds a half-vote and 14-year-olds a quarter-vote in state elections.

State Sen. John Vasconcellos, among four lawmakers to propose the idea on Monday, said the Internet, cellular phones, multichannel television and a diverse society makes today's teens better informed than their predecessors.

The idea requires two-thirds approval by the Legislature to appear on the November ballot.

"When we gave the vote to those who didn't own property, then to women, then to persons of all colors, we added to the richness of our democratic dialogue and our own nation's integrity and its model for the world," Vasconcellos said, calling it time to further extend the vote.

A Republican colleague said it was "the nuttiest idea I've ever heard."

Said Assemblyman Ray Haynes: "There's a reason why 14-year-olds and 16-year-olds don't vote. They are not adults. They are not mature enough. They are easily deceived by political charlatans."

Student supporters said the idea could give them a say in issues such as education funding and bring new voices to the California electorate.

"If we could vote, politicians would see us as votes, not just kids, and they would take our issues seriously," said Robert Reynolds, a student at Berkeley High School.

Great idea

 

[geckojohn]

That's cool, CA is a great state! w00t

 

[VictorLazlo]

Women should have a half vote....and shouldn't be allowed behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.

 

[halik]

in related news, britney spears was elected the new governor of california replacing the Governator elected last year

only in cali would something liek this be possible

 

[Yossarian]

This must be a result of MTV lobbyists. They'll get more political advertising money if this goes through.

 

[Feldenak]

Originally posted by: Amused
California Lawmakers Propose Voting Age of 14
By JIM WASSERMAN, AP


A Republican colleague said it was "the nuttiest idea I've ever heard."

Well said.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: halik
in related news, britney spears was elected the new governor of california replacing the Governator elected last year

only in cali would something like this be possible

Finally, someone with a grasp on reality.

 

[xXped0thugXx]

everything that goes on that side of the U.S. is crazy

 

[Yax]

I'm for it. In fact, I think its unfair to only give them half or a fourth of a vote. They should be counted as full votes. Teens are not as stupid as you grand parents out there think they are.

 

[Rilescat]

Originally posted by: VictorLazlo
Women should have a half vote....and shouldn't be allowed behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.

Women should be able to drive. They just have to give up their half vote for the privelage.

As for the 14+ vote....well, at least file swapping would finally be legalized.

 

[vi edit]

Next up: Proposition 4:20 - Legalization of weed.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: cheapbidder01
I'm for it. In fact, I think its unfair to only give them half or a fourth of a vote. They should be counted as full votes. Teens are not as stupid as you grand parents out there think they are.

Oh yes they are... and we should know. We WERE teens at one time. Why the fsck do you think we know they're so damn ignorant?

 

[Yossarian]

Originally posted by: cheapbidder01
I'm for it. In fact, I think its unfair to only give them half or a fourth of a vote. They should be counted as full votes. Teens are not as stupid as you grand parents out there think they are.

Yes they are If they want 16 year olds to vote, they should first change the legal adult age to 16.

 

[VictorLazlo]

Yea. Give every single human being a vote. Then baby factories with 9 kids in tow can vote nine times in favor of increasing welfare.

 

[Rilescat]

Originally posted by: cheapbidder01
I'm for it. In fact, I think its unfair to only give them half or a fourth of a vote. They should be counted as full votes. Teens are not as stupid as you grand parents out there think they are.

Our grand parents shouldn't vote either. We all know what happened in Florida last time around.

 

[Feldenak]

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: cheapbidder01
I'm for it. In fact, I think its unfair to only give them half or a fourth of a vote. They should be counted as full votes. Teens are not as stupid as you grand parents out there think they are.

Oh yes they are... and we should know. We WERE teens at one time. Why the fsck do you think we know they're so damn ignorant?

Heh, I was quite politically aware as a HS student and there's noway I should have ever been allowed to vote while in that angst-filled, overdramatic environment.

 

[MisterNi]

I believe 14 years old is a little too young too vote, but I don't see any problem with letting 16 year olds vote, albeit with half the voting power than a person just two years older.

 

[ShotgunSteven]

"They are easily deceived by political charlatans."

No wonder the Democrats want to push this through.

 

[Vic]

Pro-tax Democrat from San Jose who knows that kids can be easily manipulated into voting for higher taxes because (1) they don't work, (2) they don't pay taxes, (3) they can be easily tricked into believing that the taxes will be used primarily for school funding, and (4) most of them have not yet had the adult experience that will cause them to rightly distrust government.

In other words, John Vasconcellos should be removed from office. Yet one more corrupt politician trying to use our own children against us. :|

 

[DurocShark]

This is "the nuttiest idea I've ever heard."

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: cheapbidder01
I'm for it. In fact, I think its unfair to only give them half or a fourth of a vote. They should be counted as full votes. Teens are not as stupid as you grand parents out there think they are.

Move out of your parents' house now while you still think you know everything.

 

[bradruth]

Horrible idea. Plenty of the people who vote now have no business doing so (by that I mean they don't know enough of about candidates/platforms/etc. and just vote for some inane reason). :disgust:

 

[Yax]

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: cheapbidder01
I'm for it. In fact, I think its unfair to only give them half or a fourth of a vote. They should be counted as full votes. Teens are not as stupid as you grand parents out there think they are.

Oh yes they are... and we should know. We WERE teens at one time. Why the fsck do you think we know they're so damn ignorant?

You were ignorant because you didn't have a right to vote. If you had the right to vote, you would've taken the time to review the issues.

 

[JulesMaximus]

A Republican colleague said it was "the nuttiest idea I've ever heard."

I would agree with this guy.

Children should definitely NOT be allowed to vote. What's next? Animals voting?

The moron who proposed this should be executed. No trial, no jury...straight to execution.