The issue over an 18 year old been able to serve on our City Council has become a one sided issue on our newspaper's online forum. Some have made it a civil or voter rights issue and the old standbys were used such as " if you're old enough to go to war you're old enough to to do pretty much anything. " I think the issue is deeper than that, I stated my reasoning but I quickly saw that I was not going to make any headway with that crowd. Some were getting out right angry.
I believe the rational thinking that went into making 21, the appropriate age to serve on the City Council was the right and I don't see anything that's happened to change that. It was never meant to denigrate 18 year olds. We do need to set some standards because we are a growing city and not a place for social experiments. If we're going to do that, let's have a small committee of therapists to give us the pros and cons.
I'm certainly not an expert but in my dealings with 18 year olds, yes even in the military, there's a lot of immaturity that needs to be dealt with before giving them a in position of responsibility. It's not fair to them or our city. As the letter writer stated, these children need to learn from the bottom up not the other way around. There may be some exceptions to the rule but we can't set of standards to exceptions. Don't you think they'll be people unfairly judging this young person ,if they happen to be elected. We would be putting them in a position to fail in an early part of their life. That's why a college graduate like Jackie Robinson was chosen to be a trailblazer. If an 18 year old gets elected and fails, it will set them and their generation back several years. What would happen if President Obama got involved in a scandal being the first black president and all.
The likelihood of an 18 year old getting elected does not have anything to do with a standard. We do need an age requirement. We always need to be prepared for a " what if " situation. I bet no one would question the reasoning behind Houston’s age restriction. We are not as large as Houston but that’s no reason we can’t use them a role model, rather than that of a smaller town that’s not going anywhere.
30 comments:
Nope. Nope. Nope. Say YES!
There are many examples of young folks who are quite capable of service. Those are the ones we find on Student Senates at universities, leading the 4-H or Future Farmers on a national level, etc.
When is the last time you heard of someone younger than 21 getting elected and it being a fiasco? You don't. You hear about the ones who are successful because they do exist.
One seat of 7 is not going to ruin a city council. It has not been a problem in other communities. It is a problem in Victoria because it was not the mayor's idea. He would rather discourage these young folks than foster their ambitions. I think this is shameful for a city leader who also serves on an education commission.
I understand both the Student Senate at UHGV and VC will be addressing this and supporting it. Democracy in action--that's what it is all about.
EA
The makeup of the current City Council has no bearing on my opinion.
I don't want my hometown to be a mockery of democracy.... You give too much credit to the mayor's decision because several of my friends don't even know the mayor and they laugh at the notion. We were all parents and in my last military job, I was a drill instructor dealing with young 18 year old recruits. It's my opinion that are not equipped to handle life's problems when they haven't experienced them.
I would need more than newspaper results for it not being a problem , and the smallness of a city with less problems has a lot to do with it.
I'm not making it personal and I don't really think it should matter what the students think. I remember myself at that age and we're better off for not listening to people like me back then. You say one out of seven won't make a difference? Say the likely improbable happens,let's say I get into a situation where I'm told to speak to my precinct representative and he actually can cast the deciding vote?..... Really?
Oh,that last sentence was meant to describe a situation where we would put our worse player in right field because a ball is less likely to be hit his way..And what if it does?
Well, I'd like to say I am here to weigh in on this one, but other than to say a person should not be able to run for an office that they are not old enough to have a vote that might influence the outcome of the election. I could dig up many documented cases of younger than 21 office holders who are both effective and beneficial to the community in which they were elected to office. By the same token, I can point to meny other cases where someone Bigj's stated age (late 20s/early 30s.....which I read to be likely sneaking up on 40 and probably noticing some grey stubble or a faint hint of a retreat in his hairline)....who still while nearing middle age, are nowhere near fit or mature enough to be trusted with an elected public service position.
To quote J from his comment on John Lara's comment "Now you see why I am an angry all these years with the backwardness and ignorance in leadership and those protect the old social order".
What does "all these years" imply? Age, experience? ......but I thought he was only in his late 20s. That would make "all these years", not too many.
His diatribes railing against all of us good ol' boys over say 40, sound amusingly like the words of Max Flatow in the 1968 film "Wild in the Streets" where he implored his followers to "not trust anyone over 30".....interesting sidenote here - Richard Pryor played a character called "Stanley X" in that little rebellious film.
As far as J's comment, I am still wondering....an angry what?
On the subject of holding elected office at 18, hell, why not? If they can convince the voters of legal age to get out and support them, then technically they are beholden to represent the voters....there are checks and balances to get rid of any elected offical who screws up the gig, and besides, if an up and coming young candidate beats out a "good ol' boy" for a seat on the council, you can be sure that in the next election, that ol' Boy will have learned his lesson, or have his own kid groomed to do his bidding on the ticket......
Am I the only person to notice that the first word that comes out of Edith Ann's handle is "edit"?
I think John Lara is at least 40 years old but you made more sense out of post than I did.
On the basis of electing a council person that's younger than 20 years old should not have a problem with electing an 18 year old for mayor...Old enough to vote,old enough to be mayor...I hope the citizens of Victoria see the shell game....I believe San Marcos also has this issue before them.....It's not the most preesing problem we have and I could live with the change but I will never like it...Normal behavior of an 18 year old is a lot different than that of an adult..It's called experience.
I not qualified for any office because I don't know the basics..just like an eighteen year old..:-)
It's a position for thick skinned people because the micromanagers will never be satisfied until their person is in office.
You are right Pilot,it's up to the people and we will have another election to vote them out ,if necessary.
Pilot-what is this sipposed to mean-->Am I the only person to notice that the first word that comes out of Edith Ann's handle is "edit"? 8^) (Gary often calls me EditAnn on the VA.
Mike--it might take me another year, but I will find something about Victoria City government that we will agree on. I'm sure there is something. There has to be.
sipposed? Yes, Edith Ann needs to edit better!
EA
I willing admit that I don't know anything about Victoria City goverment....You are passionate about city politcs and I am incurious....This issue is not really about VCB (I know it currently is) and the other disaggrements we've had was on economic philosophy.At least the angle I was pursuing.
Will the ageement have to be on the negative side?.....:-0
Mike you are too funny! That would be a real coup to get you to agree to something negative, but I'll take any agreement I can get!
EA - the edit thing was just my feeble attempt at trivia - if there was any ingrained or underlying message, it would probably be that our group's common denominator, The Victoria Advocate, is in dire need since 2007, of a competent leader at the helm, and some serious editorial help.
Pilot--I know you meant no harm! You just didn't put the punch line there!
Actually, I could really use a proofreader. 8^)
In J's defense, he has finally mastered the spelling of "ignorance". True to his latest stage name though, I'd really like to see him actually run for public office. The experience alone would be for him, a huge lesson in humility, and if he could muster the votes to actually win a meaningful position, he'd get to see how the other half lives. He has said in print to myself and others, "why don't you run for office and change things instead of complaining about them?" Look in the mirror and say that Justin. As for me, there are way too many calcified skeletal remains of past incarnations of myself in my closet, for me to even consider such a foolish thing as a run for public office. Hermann Cain has nothing on this boy, but this ol' boy has better sense than to put his whatchamacallit, on the stump for a sweet select few to use to jog their memories.
I thought it was just me but I kept trying to find age restrictions in our states largest cities but I was unable to....If it's OK for them,then I change my NO vote to OK but still skeptical...Today's Advocate editorial convinced me that it's not a concern...I guess I was wrong.
Oh Hold the phone!!! You're okay now that the Advocate doesn't have an opinion! I'm wounded!
[That was one of the first points EDITH ANN made--most places do not have an age restriction!]
I'm not so sure I want you to change your vote now...
8^)
EA
As you know I require the written word...Yesterday,I looked at the city charters of Austin,SA, and Houston for age restrictions but I couldn't find one...but today the VA said they didn't have an age restriction..I completely missed your most places comment..."Most Places" is too vague..:-0
I am my own person..and I state YES with SKEPTICISM...:-)
As you know, sometimes I have tried to provide you with the written word...but, it's all good. The bleeding has stopped, and we're a teensy bit closer on that agrrement of something 'city'.
8^)
lol..In politics that's known as a shallow victory.
Politics aside, when the not too long past rug rat bunch takes a spot at the council table, you'll have to get used to seeing about every third or fourth coaster adorned with a Red Bull instead of a Starbucks cup or a mug of Maxwell House........
The iPads they bought will be maxed out with apps,blue jeans and t-shirts and loafers will be standard...careful what you wish for..:-)
I'll take it as a victory, shallow that it is!
By the way, Paul Polasek alredy wears tassled loafers.
Why have 50/60/70 year old asshats making ridiculous decisions for the city and not afford 18 year old the same privilege?
America likes to keep their children immature long beyond their years. At 21, I should have had the urge to get mindlessly drunk under (mostly) good control, had plenty of awkward sex (unlikely), married who the hell I wanted to marry (not betsy the sheep)and generally have some idea of where I want to be going (out to parties, I imagine).
In order to reach this goal, I need to be allowed to do these things at adulthood - 18.
If I can vote I should be able to run for election.
Point taken Kyle on the voting without representation but as the big cities have it figured all out...Young people don't usually vote,as expected they make a lot of noise but no follow up..That's what we did when we were 18..The big cities know they won't run for office because that takes legwork and savvy they wont' do or have,so why put up an age restriction and allow them the stage....Let the run for city council..No harm no foul.
...inching closer...8^)
You are right EA,if ditto head (name Rush listeners adopted) Rebecca says "let the 18 year old's serve"I am firmly defeated..:-)
[channeling Charlie Sheen] WINNING!
Pilot.
What do I have to do with this topic? Do you really know what is my problem with you? You speak more yet know less about me. Then again you should know about me, when you goggled me with face book for these years. You already know I am 30 years of age and what school I attend my friends etc, , so lets not play cute. What I mean all these years, I am talking since 1998 when I read all of those angry, whiny, Hateful letters on the Opinion page of the VicAd. Bill Clinton is the devil, Obama is not American, Democrats are evil, and now Newt is a good man. Wait a second,. Newt a three time and yes I predict 4 time hoe shopping pussy hound better than one person who have one wife and two daughters? This crap speaks more about the COLLECTIVE CHARACTER of this area, we call the crossroads area.
To you this is some silly rant or stupid diatribe, but to those in the BARBER SHOP, THE BAR-B-QUES, and other events this is the TRUTH. Anyone can look at the area’s election results and the electorate to know anyone like myself is too “unlike them” to be elected. You can take that anyway you want, but it is true. Now you suggest that I should look in the mirror? I do not have to look in the mirror when I want to run especially against “you know who”. If I have five to ten thousand dollars laying around and time, I would run against the “ I can’t run but yet I am” person. Then again there is such thing as that troublesome district change. Over the Holiday Period, someone, a Republican, asked me to run against that person and I refuse based on those factors.
I wonder Pilot when will you attached your rant and jokes to anyone else who said same things I stated. I mean Kyle stated the same augment, the same point, I am making. I support the efforts of Gilbert Servin and wish him and his supporters the best. I would like to talk to him and other young candidates.
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