I really, *really* wish that news media could understand that the idea of an "LGBTQ+" community is a myth. Lesbian, gay and bisexual Americans have little in common with trans people, or with "queer" people--assuming you even know what "queer" means. Lumping us all together makes it seem like we have a single set of policy interests, which we don't. Bathroom bills, HRT restrictions, bans on puberty blockers...these affect LGB people no more or less than they affect anyone else.
Americans may not follow the ins and outs of most policy, but they can understand that marriage equality and anti-discrimination is not the same thing as medical transition for children. I think that news media and opinion leaders have been slow to make the same realization.
Sure thing, Jonathan. While you're at it, you should also advocate for gun ownership, driving, marriage, alcohol consumption and military service. And why stop at 13?
Seems to me that voting has a lot more in common with other political action, such as organizing and participating in protests, then it does with (say) drinking or driving. At any rate: We do allow teenagers to ride bikes, and voting is a way the training wheels of political action; what we do now is the equivalent of allowing driving but not allowing teen to ride bicycles.
"Seems to me that voting has a lot more in common with other political action..."
Why do we have the 26th Amendment?
"We do allow teenagers to ride bikes, and voting is a way the training wheels of political action..."
No, Jonathan, voting is not akin to "training wheels". It is the ultimate voice of the people in our political system. If you're of the opinion that teenagers are competent and responsible enough to perform that highest of civil functions, then they should also be allowed to do those other things I mentioned earlier.
Better case is that parents get to vote on behalf of their kids (even newborns) up to age 16 or 18. Not sure why 13 is a meaningful number.
I really, *really* wish that news media could understand that the idea of an "LGBTQ+" community is a myth. Lesbian, gay and bisexual Americans have little in common with trans people, or with "queer" people--assuming you even know what "queer" means. Lumping us all together makes it seem like we have a single set of policy interests, which we don't. Bathroom bills, HRT restrictions, bans on puberty blockers...these affect LGB people no more or less than they affect anyone else.
Americans may not follow the ins and outs of most policy, but they can understand that marriage equality and anti-discrimination is not the same thing as medical transition for children. I think that news media and opinion leaders have been slow to make the same realization.
"Teenagers should have the vote."
Sure thing, Jonathan. While you're at it, you should also advocate for gun ownership, driving, marriage, alcohol consumption and military service. And why stop at 13?
Seems to me that voting has a lot more in common with other political action, such as organizing and participating in protests, then it does with (say) drinking or driving. At any rate: We do allow teenagers to ride bikes, and voting is a way the training wheels of political action; what we do now is the equivalent of allowing driving but not allowing teen to ride bicycles.
"Seems to me that voting has a lot more in common with other political action..."
Why do we have the 26th Amendment?
"We do allow teenagers to ride bikes, and voting is a way the training wheels of political action..."
No, Jonathan, voting is not akin to "training wheels". It is the ultimate voice of the people in our political system. If you're of the opinion that teenagers are competent and responsible enough to perform that highest of civil functions, then they should also be allowed to do those other things I mentioned earlier.