Vorting rights for 16 year olds: Ralph Nader proposal (rah!)

RALPH NADER SPEAKS OUT FOR THE RIGHTS OF 16 YEAR OLDS TO VOTE

Washington D.C. ---- Ralph Nader made a compelling argument, on June 3, for lowering the voting age nationwide to 16. For full text, see votenader.org

Austria, for example, lowered their voting age last year. Also, legislators in several states are considering lowering the voting age for local elections. As Nader states, 16 year olds work, are able to drive motor vehicles, and pay taxes, but are not allowed to vote.

With 16 year old voting, Nader argues that high school social studies teachers would be more likely to present voting in a non-partisan environment in the classroom. This would stimulate their students to become an informed electorate.

Nader concludes that the only way this change will be made is by 16 year olds themselves holding rallies, marches, and in general, organizing to force members of Congress and state legislatures to change the laws.

-End-

- Modern Civics -

It was the first day of a school in USA and a new Indian student named Chandrasekhar Subramanian entered the fourth grade.

The teacher said, 'Let's begin by reviewing some American History.

Who said 'Give me Liberty, or give me Death'?

She saw a sea of blank faces, except for Chandrasekhar, who had his hand up:

'Patrick Henry, 1775' he said.

'Very good!'

Who said 'Government of the People, by the People, for the People, shall not perish from the Earth?'

Again, no response except from Chandrasekhar.

'Abraham Lincoln, 1863' said Chandrasekhar.

The teacher snapped at the class, 'Class, you should be ashamed.

Chandrasekhar, who is new to our country, knows more about its history than you do.'

She heard a loud whisper: 'F**k the Indians,'

'Who said that?' she demanded. Chandrasekhar put his hand up.

'General Custer, 1862.'

At that point, a student in the back said, 'I'm gonna puke.'

The teacher glares around and asks 'All right! Now, who said that?'

Again, Chandrasekhar says, 'George Bush to the Japanese Prime Minister,1991.'

Now furious, another student yells, 'Oh yeah? Suck this!'

Chandrasekhar jumps out of his chair waving his hand and shouts to the teacher, 'Bill Clinton, to Monica Lewinsky, 1997!'

Now with almost mob hysteria someone said 'You little shit. If you say anything else, I'll kill you.'

Chandrasekhar frantically yells at the top of his voice, ' Michael Jackson to the child witnesses testifying against him - 2004.'

The teacher fainted. And as the class gathered around the teacher on the floor,someone said, 'Oh sh*t, we're f**ked!'

And Chandrasekhar said quietly,

'I think it was George Bush, Iraq, 2007.'