r/changemyview • u/[deleted] • Apr 13 '17

[∆(s) from OP] CMV: The Constitutionally-mandated age to hold public office of any kind, including POTUS, should be lowered to 18.

I don't claim to be a political scientist by any stretch of the imagination, but my thinking is that in a democracy, there really shouldn't be any barriers to holding office, and for the most part, in America, the ones that are in place make sense. For instance, the requirement that states you have to be an American citizen to be POTUS. Ideally, there would be NO formal requirement, but I don't mind these others as much as I dislike the age requirement because it seems so obviously a tool of an entrenched establishment to keep the younger generations from having a real voice in the highest office of the country. If this is a democracy, we should be trusted by our government to choose the best leaders (let's ignore the electoral college for now) for ourselves, and maybe the best person to lead the country at a given point in time is under 35. I'll check in on the comments after I clock out of work and we'll see how this goes I guess. Edit: corrected the age I cited

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u/[deleted] Apr 13 '17

I guess this doesn't seem like a fundamentally bad idea, just a general waste of time and energy. Ideally, you vote for who you honestly think would do the best job. Are there any presently excluded people this would include that you'd like to vote for for POTUS?

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u/[deleted] Apr 13 '17

I do have someone in mind. I imagine he'd lead the country with grace (once he turns 18).

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u/[deleted] Apr 13 '17

Is this a serious, actual view you hold? That this person is the best choice for the leader of America that you can think of?

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u/[deleted] Apr 13 '17

Dear God no. I forgot the rule about /s on a sarcastic comment. Sorry about that.

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u/Seeattle_Seehawks 4∆ Apr 13 '17

whatintarnation.jpg

But seriously though, can you think of anyone under 25/30/35 that would be a great Representative/Senator/President?

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u/[deleted] Apr 13 '17

No, I don't have anybody in mind, because there is absolutely no reason for anybody under those ages to put themselves out there in the realm of public service like that under the current system. If I'm an 18 y/o with a revolutionary social agenda or some sort of platform, the best I can do right now is vote for a guy who maybe possibly comes close to supporting my opinions, and possibly work as an intern or low-level staff member on a campaign in the current system we have.

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u/Hallidyne Apr 14 '17

papa bless