Now this is overboard

[reeb]

Updated: 11:38 AM EST
California Lawmakers Propose Voting Age of 14
By JIM WASSERMAN, AP



AP file
Students who support the idea say politicians would take their views more seriously if they were allowed to vote.

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."


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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.

[MarineAO]

I would love to see their faces when after they (the kids) vote in mass for an increase in taxes for schools and then Mon and Dad have too sell the house because they could not afford the taxes on it.

[reconeil]

NOT SO!!!,...since you live in California and fortunately have Prop. 13. Whereas here in New Jersey, where schools are paid mainly from property Taxes (even though deemed unconstitutional about 30 years ago),...given the same Kiddy Vote scenario, my property taxes would probably double, if not more.

Would double about 6 (currently) to about $12,000 a year in NJ Property Taxes for a modest Brick Ranch,...seem reasonable to you? After all, in California I would have to buy a pad or house for about $1,200,000 (one million, two hundred thousand dollars) to start paying $12,000 a year in property taxes.

So,...M.AO count your blessings and/or that California has Prop. 13, and also that you don't pay taxes in New Jersey.

In fairness to New Jersey, at least we don't have California's socialistic gas prices yet, which must pay for many State Services(?)...YET. But then,...tomorrow's another day.

Neil