[lmm]

It's unfortunate that that horrendous historical abuse of a fundamentally sound idea has poisoned the well.

[myaccount9786]

Umm... yes, historically disenfranchisement was driven by racism and sexism.

This is driven by ageism.

Obviously racism was historically much more abusive. But both are still discrimination.

[lmm]

Then the disenfranchisement of the young is surely equally discriminatory.

[myaccount9786]

Maybe not equally. I know maybe like 10 old people. Most of them are very smart.

I've met several 2-year-olds. Dumb like a rock.

But should 12-year-olds be allowed to vote? I don't see a reason not to besides history. In the U.S. during Vietnam the minimum age was lowered from 21 to 18. Why not younger?

[DangitBobby]

Children have no interest and know nothing about politics. Realistically they would just vote for who their parents vote for.

[lmm]

Realistically a lot of old people just vote for who the guy on TV told them to, or the party they joined 40 years ago. But we don't see disenfranchising them as legitimate.

[myaccount9786]

> Realistically a lot of old people just vote for who the guy on TV told them to

Is there a study or some data backing this up? Or just a stereotype?