Teeny votes

What's this about Senator Vasconcellos proposing that 14 year olds should be able to vote? What kind of rediculousness is that? It's not that I think all 14 or 16 year olds aren't capable of making informed decisions--let's face it, they aren't any worse than most the "adults" in this country. But think of all the very real repercussions this would entail.

If a 14 or 16 year old is considered old enough, mature enough and responsible enough to make informed decisions and vote to influence the way in which their community, state or even country is run, then they must also be considered old enough, mature enough and responsible enough to . . .

. . . be tried as an adult.
. . . enlist or be drafted into the military.
. . . decide whether or not to stay in school.
. . . leave home and live on their own.
. . . enter into legally binding contracts.
. . . get married without parental consent.

I guess, maybe, since Senator Vasconcellos is proposing that 16 year olds get only a half vote, and 14 year olds a quarter vote, all of the above would be "prorated" as well. Kids would be tried as adults, but would only be imprisoned for half or one quarter the time. They'd only serve in Iraq for a few months, rather than a year or more. They could opt out of 1/2 or 1/4 of their high school classes. And they'd only be married on weekends, but free to do whatever during the week.

Sorry Senator, but your idea is rather hair-brained. I understand the desire (and need) to get people involved young, and I'm sure the realization that high schoolers will most likely vote more "liberal" isn't playing a part of your plan. But the simple fact is that this is not the way to get kids involved, and it'll do more harm in the long-run than good by forcing those same kids to take on "adult responsibilities" they're probably not ready for.