I hate being sixteen. No, I really, really do. I (and most of my friends) am not like the usual stereotypical teen: I don't smoke pot, I'm not obsessed with video games (I do, however, have a special bond with my Nintendo Wii), and I don't sleep with every member of the male sex. Instead, I'm off researching the latest political news.
I want to go to the Iowa Caucus. But besides me living on the West Coast soaking up the California sun, there's one problem: I'm sixteen. I'm sick of being excluded from political debate because of my age. I watch the news. I watch some of the debates. I have chosen my political candidate. I engage in political discussion with my friends (which is generally a bad idea, because our political views differ; some of us support Huckabee, others Romney, and a couple support Obama). So, considering I'm politically informed, I think that I should be allowed to vote.
But no. The trouble is, most kids don't care about politics. I have a friend who tells me she would pay more attention to the election if she could vote. This is exactly why I applaud Nickelodeon and Linda Ellerbee for holding "Kids Pick The President." This special aims to get America's youth involved, and not to tune out like my friend has decided to do. Kids have predicted the past four out of five elections. I assume most kids have just picked the candidate their parents liked. Not true with me. I belong to the same political party as my parents, but we do not agree on which candidate within the party.
At school we hold one of those mock elections. Considering I live in a fairly liberal town in California, the liberal always wins. There are Republicans at my school, but most of them don't bother debating about Republicans vs. Democrats. It's pretty much a lost cause. Although, I hear there are many people hiding in the Young Republican Club. Obviously, some small town in California doesn't really represent the whole country. I mean, seriously, if I lived in the South, Kerry would not have won the last mock election at our school.
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Article comments
1 - Michael
I agree. Kids should have choices and this allows them to at least part take in the vote. But like you said kids pick what there parents pick... Luckly this year im 17 going on 18 I get to vote... so GO HILARY!! w00t!
2 - Dani
I'd suggest asking your parents to consider voting for Dennis Kucinich. I was lucky to have just turned 18 last Thanksgiving and I plan to vote for him because he has not only promised to give 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote but also once again lower the drinking age to 18 as it was during the Vietnam War Era.
3 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Maddy,
Most people don't care about politics. Join the elite few who can look beyond their noses (and nose rings) and see that there is more to the world than the latest garbage some rap group is whoring out there. Consider yourself a bit more informed than the local yokel.
And local yokels come in all ages and are just as lazy and stupid at 50 as they are at 15. Trust me. After years and years in politics, I know.
Just one thing, though, Maddy. Keep an eye on what the Big Guy Upstairs wants. In the end, it is His Will that counts, and we are just tools to achieve His Ends. Don't ever let anybody fool you that people run their own affairs. Look at the stupid things your friends (and some of the kids who are not your friends) do. Their parents are not much better. Apples do not fall far from the tree.....
Good article.
4 - Linda Ellerbee
I wonder. You say you've "heard of Linda Ellerbee and Nick News." I take this to mean you've never seen the show. Why then, would you assume that Linda Ellerbee was a liberal or, more importantly, that she would use her job as a journalist to try to persuade you to be one? That's really not what a good journalist is supposed to do. Okay, Ellerbee may not be a good journalist in your mind, but she tries. By god, she tries.
Watch the show and then tell me what you think.
Respectfully,
Linda Ellerbee