As our country continues to grapple with issues of political turmoil and ideological division, it’s clear that something needs to change. That’s why Vivek Ramaswamy, a conservative thinker and entrepreneur, is proposing a constitutional amendment that would raise the voting age to 25. This bold move would ensure that young adults are equipped with the knowledge and experience needed to make informed decisions when casting their ballots. By requiring service to the country or passing a civics test, young people can prove that they are ready to exercise this important civic duty. It’s time to restore the importance of voting, is this proposal a step in the right direction? Let’s dive in.
In the current political climate, a hot topic of discussion is whether the voting age of 18 should be raised to 25. Republican Presidential Candidate, Vivek Ramaswamy, has made his stance known by proposing a constitutional amendment to do just that. His argument is simple yet compelling: the youth of the country need to be adequately equipped with the necessary knowledge and experience to make informed decisions.
He believes that the current voting age of 18 is arbitrary and does not necessarily guarantee that individuals are equipped with the necessary knowledge and experience to make informed decisions, according to Ramaswamy. By raising the voting age, civic duties will be restored in the mindset of the next generation of Americans, according to Ramaswamy. Furthermore, he believes if an 18-year-old wants to vote, they need to do their civic duty through service to the country that’s six months long. This, according to the Republican candidate, can be achieved through military service or through a first responder, including police, fire or by taking a civics test that an immigrant has to pass in order to become a naturalized citizen who can vote in this country.
Supporters of this proposal often cite the potential benefits of raising the voting age. By the time an individual is 25, they are typically more knowledgeable and experienced to make informed decisions when casting their ballots. This is because they have had ample time to gain exposure to the ins and outs of the political world.
At the time of the country’s founding, the right to vote was restricted to white male property owners. However, over time, this restriction was gradually lifted. In 1868, the 14th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, which extended citizenship and voting rights to all persons born or naturalized in the United States. This effectively abolished the property ownership requirement for voting.
The voting age remained at 21 for many years but began to be questioned during the Vietnam War. The draft was implemented, and young men were being conscripted into the military to fight in Vietnam as the country grappled with upheaval and turmoil. Still, these young men were not allowed to vote. In 1970, Congress passed a law that extended the right to vote to 18-year-olds in all federal, state and local elections. This was done in part as a response to address the difficulty young men faced fighting in a foreign land without any representation in the government.
Although Ramaswamy had been considering the idea of raising the voting age since he announced his presidential bid in February, his team initially advised against it. However, Ramaswamy stands firm in his conviction that it’s the right thing to do.
The proposal to raise the voting age to 25 is no doubt a bold move that could have a positive impact on our democracy. By requiring young people to prove that they are equipped with the knowledge and experience needed to make informed decisions, Ramaswamy believes can restore the importance of voting and ensure that our country is moving forward in the right direction. While some may argue that the current voting age of 18 is sufficient, many believe that age alone does not guarantee that individuals are prepared for the responsibility of voting. As our country faces unprecedented challenges and divisions, let’s work together to find solutions that will strengthen our democracy and restore faith in our political system.
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