I'LL JUST CALL THIS ONE: HUH?!?!?!?

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Calif. Lawmakers Propose Voting Age of 14
By JIM WASSERMAN

SACRAMENA Republican colleague said it was ``the nuttiest idea I've ever heard.''
TO, Calif. (AP) - 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.


03/09/04 16:34

I actually copied this from the news channel on my Internet Provider. I guess soon enough campaign promises will be something like this:

If teens can drive, teens should have cars. My staff will work hard to put through legislation that requires parents of teenagers to provide them with a car when they reach driving age. Vote Jon Blowhard

Why should teens wait til they're 21 to drink? We entrust them with voting on the future of our nation, why not give them the right to party? Cast your Vote for Tom Shitforbrains.

Age of consent? Why are we denying our children such a basic pleasure before they're too old and tired to truly enjoy it? Mark your ballot in favor of Chester Featherbrain

Legislation to change the tobacco age limit from 18 to 14 would bring in valuable tax dollars that could eventually pay off the current Federal Deficit. Elect Jim Bsartist

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I like what "a Republican Colleague" said. Why must politicians continually talk out of their asses???