• rosco385@lemmy.wtf
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    20 hours ago

    We can solve most of the political problems in western countries with one simple change: an upper age limit on voting.

    If under 18’s can’t vote, why can those over 70? Having worked in residential Aged Care (Australia), I know the oldies are all still voting and they’re voting conservative.

    • Trainguyrom@reddthat.com
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      8 hours ago

      Nah this is just ageism. Now, I do think there might be a conversation to be had about once medical power of attorney goes into effect if the individual should no longer be permitted to vote, but there’s no set age where everybody lacks the mental faculties to vote.

      I’ve had relatives knocking on deaths door by age 60, and I have a 100 year old relative who drives the Amish around as his retirement gig

      • Zoot@reddthat.com
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        7 hours ago

        Should it not go for the reverse as well? Some 14 year olds are smarter than a lot of 30 year olds, but I don’t ever see anyone advocating for them to get voting rights.

        I see both sides. There is no good way to cognitively test either, as that could be abused as well. Age limits would help, for both voting, as well as term limits for the politicians.

        That said, I believe there is far far far more wrong with the country which if fixed wouldn’t even need any of the above to be significantly better.

    • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.worldOP
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      16 hours ago

      an upper age limit on voting

      What would this accomplish other than guaranting the abolition of Social Security and Medicare?

      • rosco385@lemmy.wtf
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        12 hours ago

        It’d would prevent the elderly from locking in far reaching, irreversible destruction to the environment because they either don’t understand the damage they’re doing to future generations. Either that or they don’t care, which is highly likely.

        • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.worldOP
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          10 hours ago

          It’d would prevent the elderly from locking in far reaching, irreversible destruction to the environment

          I haven’t seen anything to suggest this problem is unique to the elderly.