Higher, Lower Or Status Quo?

[ToraToraTora]

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-46737013
I think Higher.

[spathiphyllum]

Status Quo.

I think it's up to the political parties to 'dumb down' what they're offering / their wishes / ambitions. I don't think being specifically educated should grant you more of a say, unless you've gone into politics as a career choice.

[andy-hughes]

sunny-dave - Some interesting points raised.

I could not condone compulsory voting - a cornerstone of democracy is the choice to vote, or not.

I am unsure that academic intelligence necessarily adds to the ability to vote with additional knowledge and understanding - proof is all around that the ability to rise in society is not necessarily coupled to the ability to perform any useful tasks on arrival.

[andy-hughes]

Rockrose - As a retired person, why do you believe that my right to vote should be rescinded?

[spathiphyllum]

How to adult properly:

Wake up, try to remember to eat and drink, go work, go home, take ibuprofen repeat tomorrow.

[naomi24]

Rockrose, //No voting after retirement //

Why not? Do people suddenly become incapable - or stupid - the moment they retire?

[ludwig]

// I could not condone compulsory voting - a cornerstone of democracy is the choice to vote, or not. //

Plus, it's pointless anyway. You can force people to turn up to the poll, but if they don't want to vote, they'll just spoil the paper.

[spathiphyllum]

I think a lot of people don't vote because they feel either: there vote is worthless or: They have no idea what they're voting for.

I don't think it's a case of "can't be bothered"

[spathiphyllum]

"Why not? Do people suddenly become incapable - or stupid - the moment they retire?"

Yes.

[spathiphyllum]

;-P

[naomi24]

//'adult' properly. //

16 year olds can't 'adult properly' because they're not adult. I'd hazard a guess that, like me, most adults have very different ideas to those they had at 16.

[Rockrose]

Because they have lived their lives and should stop ruining the future for younger generation

[naomi24]

Right. They're ruining the future. All of them?

[ludwig]

// "Why not? Do people suddenly become incapable - or stupid - the moment they retire?" //

It's not just about competence or education either. People have the right to vote on things that are going to affect their lives, so that includes retired people, those without A level economics, and the plain stupid. That's what democracy is.

[sunny-dave]

It's not that hard - once every 5 years you have to actually turn up and either vote or make an "I Don't Give a Fig" declaration - and if you really can't be bothered to do that we'll assume you don't exist and stop your benefits (or remove your tax allowances).

[ludwig]

The prevailing view seems to be that it's only other people that shouldn't be allowed to vote, never ourselves. Funny that.

[spathiphyllum]

democracy is an illusion.

[Rockrose]

Hey Naomi we are all entitled to state our opinion on this thread, you don’t have the right yet to dismiss them, perhaps when you get into parliament and turn the country to your ideal haven!

[SparklyKid]

Higher, over 65's only. The idea of children voting (under 21) is ludicrous.

[bhg481]

If retired people were to have the right to vote removed, would the need to pay taxes also be removed as they would have no say in what their tax money would be spent on?

[dannyk13]

Rockrose, //Because they have lived their lives and should stop ruining the future for younger generation//
The senior generation are still living their lives.Are you trying to qualify for the stupidest post of the week?