I’ve never been as upset with the banter coming from the Democratic Party as I am today. I use “banter” because they have got to be kidding me!
Many of those running for the Democratic Presidency platform are talking about lowering the voter age to include my 16 year old grandchildren. That is crazy! And it shows me a desperation to win that is pitiful.
One reasoning I’ve heard from those promoting this is that teens work and pay taxes, therefore they should have the right to vote. The problem I see with that reasoning is that I know of very few teens who make enough money to keep from getting it all returned to them when they apply for their tax return. They don’t truly pay taxes because they don’t make enough to owe taxes. 🤦🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️
But here’s the real issue! There is brain research out that proves what I already know from personal experience in my own life and from watching the struggle of my children and grandchildren. That is that a person’s ability to rightly evaluate consequences of actions and choices does not kick in, on average, until the age of 25.
What these people who are making this promise want are pliable brains that will willingly run with them. The problem being that when these children get old enough to fully understand the consequences of their actions, they will be stuck with it. Instead of choosing the right path in the first place, they will then be stuck trying to figure out how to fix what they took part in bringing into play.
When I was 18, I was glad to vote. It was one of those things that proved my coming of age. I was now an adult because I was allowed to vote! I did not really care about the political responsibility that comes with the privilege. I voted because I could.
It was not until I was in my late 20s that I began to appreciate the responsibility my privilege asked of me. I did not have politically active and savvy parents that taught me what to look at and how to decide, like my husband did. He was the one who influenced my growth in political wisdom.
At 18 years of age, I was stupid about world issues and for years of voting, I did so out of ignorance; and now these want to lower the age to 16. As a parent and grandparent, I will do all I can to protect my young ones from such potential for great harm to their future. This is the beginning of my fight to protect them. Forget political sides in this. Whatever your political persuasion, if you agree this is a play for votes that is harmful to our children’s future, make your voice heard. And while you’re at it, write your area representatives and let them know how upset this attack against your children’s future makes you.
Mac Thornberry: https://www.facebook.com/repmacthornberry/
John Cornyn: https://www.facebook.com/SenJohnCornyn/
Ted Cruz: https://www.facebook.com/SenatorTedCruz/
Darlene's Ponderings 