Montevideo, May 18th 2013 - 19:31 UTC

Search this edition

Search query Go

Wednesday, October 24th 2012 - 05:21 UTC

Consensus in Argentine congress to approve the teen suffrage bill

59 comments Feed

Note: Comments do not reflect MercoPress’ opinions. They are the personal view of our users. We wish to keep this as open and unregulated as possible. However, rude or foul language, discriminative comments (based on ethnicity, religion, gender, nationality, sexual orientation or the sort), spamming or any other offensive or inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated. Please report any inadequate posts to the editor. Comments must be in English. Thank you.

1 Boovis (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 05:51 am Report abuse

Yeah, why not get 3 year olds the vote too? The more the merrier.

2 Troy Tempest (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 06:06 am Report abuse

Pirat -Alex Vargas is hoping someone will 'slip him a sausage' to vote for CFK!

Except of course, he can't vote - trapped in Canada

3 Huntsman-Extraordinaire (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 08:14 am Report abuse

Makes good sense, fresh from being brain washed in school about the almighty KFC who parted the waters and led the Argentinians to victory in the Falkland War (but because they are so compasionate when they saw the puppy dog eyes of the inhabitants she ordered it be given back to be invaded again at a later date).

Whats that? You think that once the law is passed the RG gov should have a referendum on how many terms a president can serve? Ahh go on then.

4 Idlehands (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 08:45 am Report abuse

These changes have pros and cons. Allowing 16 & 17 year olds the vote does tally with the principle of “no taxation without representation” but I imagine it’s more to do with surveys showing that this age bracket are more likely to vote for CFK.

As for compulsory voting – I simply don’t support that on principle even though advanced democracies like Australia use that system. People who vote simply because they are compelled to do so do not make informed choices. It should be everyone’s democratic right not to bother.

5 Room101 (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 09:05 am Report abuse

Good idea. Given a little time, it could boomerang...

6 Think (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 12:08 pm Report abuse

TWIMC

1) Youngsters between 16 and 18 years pay taxes as grown ups do.
Youngsters between 16 and 18 years can be send to jail as grown ups do.
Youngsters between 16 and 18 years have all the right to vote for their future as grown ups do.
Down here and in Scotland.....

2) Compulsory vote wouldn't be such a bad idea in the EU.........
Maybe that way Europeans could avoid being ruled by a group of individuals voted by just about 40% of the European population.

7 Idlehands (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 12:16 pm Report abuse

I'd be quite happy if those that couldn't even name our prime minister don't bother to vote.

It's scary how long that list is.

8 Conqueror (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 12:31 pm Report abuse

@1 It's called “desperation”. You have to ask what knowledge or experience a 16-year old would bring to voting? However, in the case of both argieland and Scotland, it's a way of pushing the “free education” button. As you get older you realise that nothing is “free”. Teachers have to be paid. Facilities have to be paid for. Buildings have to be paid for. Where does the money come from? If “students” don't pay, it comes from taxes. But, for kids, taxes are years down the line. Simple way to see it. If you're studying, you're not working. If you're not working, you're not paying taxes. Except sales tax maybe. So the kid votes for something and everybody else pays. In the UK, some 16-year olds may be responsible. In argieland, even so-called “adults” aren't responsible. The list of examples is endless. Argieland is the sort of place where people can be convinced that they can vote for rain!

9 Simon68 (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 01:17 pm Report abuse

In trying to think back to how sensible I was between 16 and 18 years old, I realize that if I had been given the vote at that age I wouldn't have known what to do with it!!!!

Think:

Youths between 16 and 18 years old DO NOT PAY TAXES, except purchase tax.
Youths between 16 and 18 years old are not inditable.
Youths between 16 and 18 years old will have the right to vote if the idiots in Congress give it to them!!!!!!!!!

10 ElaineB (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 01:36 pm Report abuse

All idealism and no life experience does not make for good judgement.

11 Huntsman Extraordinaire (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 01:46 pm Report abuse

@9 I completely agree with you, at 16 I didn't even know if I wanted to go into further education or get a job, let alone what in (I got forced into 6th form by my parents; that or be disowned). There is no way I was responsible enough to vote, I had enough to think about as it was...

I got to vote for the first time when I was 18 and I made a good and unbaised judgement on which party I would vote for. Something I don't think I would have wanted or have been interested in doing at 16 (would have been much more interested in going out with mates and having a laugh).

12 Idlehands (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 02:26 pm Report abuse

9 Simon68

Are 16/17 year olds with a job exempt from income tax in Argentina?

13 ElaineB (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 02:44 pm Report abuse

Remember Argentina is the land of the eternal students....they never seem to want to go to work or leave home. That aside, remember that 50% of the Argentine work force is 'on the black' and does not pay tax even if they are working.

I think this has a lot more to do with CFKC's majority voting base being under 25 and La Campora being very active in schools. Young people are easy to manipulate and radicalise because they have nothing to lose and no life experience.

14 Captain Poppy (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 03:06 pm Report abuse

If youngsters between 16 and 18 years pay taxes as grown ups do, that means they earn about the same. If children earn the same wages as adults in argentina, no wonder it's a mess there.
In the USA, kids between 16 and 18 may earn an incopme, but the fail to reach the floor where taxation starts. At least here in the USA, kids between 16 and 18 have not even finished high (primary) school education. Allowing a person to vote that can barely control there own impulses is total chaos. The is not a developed nation in the world outside of south america that allows voting under 18 and some are 21. But it works well after you brain wash them....hand them a few pennies and “they love you long time, they boom boom you always”

15 Hook (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 03:07 pm Report abuse

...they will re-elect her, i'm ready to make a bet on it.

16 Captain Poppy (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 03:25 pm Report abuse

If youngsters between 16 and 18 years pay taxes as grown ups do, that means they earn about the same. If children earn the same wages as adults in argentina, no wonder it's a mess there.
In the USA, kids between 16 and 18 may earn an incopme, but the fail to reach the floor where taxation starts. At least here in the USA, kids between 16 and 18 have not even finished high (primary) school education. Allowing a person to vote that can barely control there own impulses is total chaos. The is not a developed nation in the world outside of south america that allows voting under 18 and some are 21. But it works well after you brain wash them....hand them a few pennies and “they love you long time, they boom boom you always”

17 GeoffWard2 (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 03:31 pm Report abuse

School children voting is a recipe for votes based on received propaganda rather than remembered personal experience.
The incumbent government is more likely to benefit, rather then any opposition, simply because they hold the levers of propoganda.

18 Simon68 (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 03:56 pm Report abuse

12 Idlehands (#)
Oct 24th, 2012 - 02:26 pm

If the 16/17 year olds earn more than ARS$7.000 per month they would pay tax on it, but as Elaine says about 46% of the Argentine work force is “on the black” and doesn't pay anything, and obviously doesn't get paid a “proper” wage!!!!

A huge proportion of the “legal” work force in Argentina doesn't pay income tax, we are taxed mainly through VAT, sales taxes and inflation!!!!

19 GFace (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 04:19 pm Report abuse

The thought of giving the vote to kids who think they have all the answers AND who think that vampires “sparkle” scares the crap out of me.

20 ProRG_American (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 04:27 pm Report abuse

What is all the negative yacking against Argentina on this matter? Five other countries around the world, including Brazil has a minimum voting age of 16. Why don't you critizise them? Got nothing to do?

21 ElaineB (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 04:36 pm Report abuse

@20 The clue is in the title of the article.

22 Pirat-Hunter (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 04:42 pm Report abuse

Argentines Around the world love and support CFK 100%, our people can finally show a progressive democratic state that works and live for our people, do not listen to the english man from US and Uk , they are terrorist who take joy in arming terrorist and dictating their ill laws to the world. We invite them to fix their austerity riddled state and let the democratic people of Argentina enjoy their freedom. We demand CFK for a Ghana tax to be charged to any importer until we buy a new naval fleet. This tax should be called Ghana tax and should be aimed at any corporation with offices in Ghana.

23 Captain Poppy (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 04:49 pm Report abuse

Hey Canadian residing argie, you need to qualify that statement. Of the ones that support cuntina kirchner, they do at 100%. You really should stop talking about “your” people, you are no longer an argentine, just an argentine immigrant.
Suzzie.....we would critize the other...being the Suan-17, Indonesia-17, Brazil-16 and Nicaragua-17....two...two other countries that have 16 a votig age and one is a fourth word. SA uses that age because thy know they can infulence and steal their vote.......like taking candy from a baby.

24 GFace (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 04:52 pm Report abuse

It's more than 5 if you are counting those at or below 18 (the age for a majority of states, there ARE states that wait till 21, but that's too high I think - w.r.t. emancipation ages). If it were such a good idea, there would be more than a handful countries doing it this far into the era of adult universal suffrage, I don't think so much of it for Austria, Nicaragua, Brazil or Ecuador. And since Cuba's and North Korea (17) are one-party states, I mean, what's the point? The only justification I can see for lowering the age would be if it were truly an age of emancipation for a huge bulk of the Acne and Belieber demographic. Only a couple

25 ProRG_American (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 05:08 pm Report abuse

This is a positive move for Argentina and Latin America. I would like to see the lowering of the voting age to 16 in my country the USA, but I do not think that our youth and society are ready to take on this responsibility, nor will they ever. Even adults can't think for themselves on making political decisions. Most of them don't know anything about anything, especially politics. Their brains are programmed at the will of the corporate media. Most American youth are too busy with video games, drugs, having a good time. Those youth that are involved in politics don't wonder outside the 2 established political parties in search of new solution and ideas because alternate political parties are to small and too disorganized to make a difference for them. Political consciousness and activism in the USA was high in the 1960's and 1970's but it was all lost with conservative governments such as Ronald Reagan. Political activism has become a deficit unlike the youth of Latin America. Lack of it is one of the reasons why we are slipping as a society.
I lived in Argentina and other parts of Latin America. I was very impressed with the level of political participation, activism and militancy that I observed, even at ages below 16. Latin America and Argentina in particular, is the most politically dynamic society that I have seen anywhere in the world. This move to lower the voting age is a reflection of the characteristics of the society. I will bet that we will see the lowering of the voting age in other countries in Latin America as a result of this. It will certainly help balance the political landscape in a region that is heading towards integration. It should serve as an example to North America as to what can be achieved in politics.

26 Troy Tempest (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 05:16 pm Report abuse

@22 PH ALEX VARGAS Trapped in Canada

“We demand CFK for a Ghana tax to be charged to any importer until we buy a new naval fleet. This tax should be called Ghana tax and should be aimed at any corporation with offices in Ghana.”

Ha ha, who is “we”????

Is that, all the dysfunctional, CFK besotted, ex-Argie homophobes living a fringe existence near Toronto Canada??

You try to mis-represent the people of Argentina, they don't want CFK, and you betray your host country that has given you everything Argentina could not!!
Ask “pgerman” what he thinks of you... !

Your parents and grandparents must be so proud of you :-(

27 Simon68 (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 05:24 pm Report abuse

Here in Argentina we call the stage of “young adults” “la edad del pavo” the age of he turkey and that is the age that these idiots who call themselves politicians, both kirchnerist and opposition, wish to give the vote!!!!!!!

They are totally crazy!!!!!

28 ProRG_American (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 05:33 pm Report abuse

Well, there really isn't much that can be done to stop it. The results? Perhaps that it will put the burden of responsibility on youth as to how their choices will effect their future. Only time will tell.

Oh, I would like to put forward the idea that criminal trial age ought to be lowered to 16 as well.

Oh, I almost forgot, a good way to instill some responsibility to society and love of country in youth is to bring back compulsory military. I would say, model it after Israel

29 Troy Tempest (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 05:43 pm Report abuse

@16 Capt Poppy

Ever see that film from 1968, Wild in The Streets, with Shelley Winters?

14 year olds get the vote,
Over-30's are jailed and the population is controlled with LSD.

Sounds familiar, right?

Ed Sutton
Max Frost, a 22-year old rock star millionaire, joins causes with a California politician to get the vote for 14-year old. (Hence the song “14 or fight!”) He continues his master plan by helping elect one of his groupies to the senate. Max and his cohorts resort to trickery to get congress to lower the minimum age requirements for higher office, and he's on his way to the Oval Office with his youth-controlled police state agenda. -- IMDb Plot: Wild in the Streets (1968)

“Youth-controlled police state” hmmmm

30 Captain Poppy (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 06:05 pm Report abuse

Never saw but I just googled it.....lol. 4 countries in the world allow under 18 to vote....Brazil is the only developed nation. That majoprity of the voting age is 21. There is a good reason for that too......but it eludes south america's thinking.

31 Pirat-Hunter (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 06:07 pm Report abuse

#23 We Argentines around the world love CFK .. we hope she will amend the constitution so I am free to vote for her if I do so wish. I don't like being dictated rules on who I can vote for. english people find us the WMD before spreading lies and hate against Argentina we don't like terrorists even if US and UK hires them to kill our people like they do with innocent muslim women and children in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Sirya, Pakistan, India, Lebanon, Palestine, turkey, Sudan, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
If you can't find the WMD there is nothing for you people to do here, I invite you all to find the WMD and stop spreading lies about people.

Here have a good laugh at this free Libyan people. That will be Argentina some day soon if the english get their ways in Argentina.
m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=NJ6VzwubxxA
#127 if you don't like CFK move to USA only if they allow a wetback to come into USA, if not try the Mexico border with any luck some US made weapon will put you out of your obvious misery.
#26 you homo still stalking Argentine guys?

32 Troy Tempest (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 06:18 pm Report abuse

@31 PH ALEX VARGAS living in Canada

“We Argentines around the world love CFK .. we hope she will amend the constitution so I am free to vote for her if I do so wish. I don't like being dictated rules on who I can vote for.”

But that's the issue - YOU, Alex, cannot vote for anyone, in Argentina or Canada. You are NOT Argentinian anymore. You cannot even go there. You are out of touch and irrelevant LOL !

People are TELLING you, that you can't vote for anyone in Canada either.

Keep blogging - we need a laugh...

33 briton (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 06:45 pm Report abuse

They do say,
The younger you are, the more sceptical you are to brain washing,

So letting them vote, really is just another attempted excuse to get your own way,

But of course, it could also backfire,

as you will soon find out,..

34 Captain Poppy (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 06:49 pm Report abuse

Poor alex vargas......the wild coati trapped in a Canadian zoo, staring through the bars as the world passes him by.....and he could vote now if he was back in the motherland of Oz!

35 Pirat-Hunter (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 06:52 pm Report abuse

#32 homosexual is ale your imaginary boyfriend? And how many time I got to tell you that I don't talk to homosexuals, don't get mad find a gay site, this is a news site..
We Argentines around the world still support CFK 100% she is our elected leader. If you don't like her its OK she is our president not yours, so go on looking for your imaginary terrorists and your imaginary WMD while we Argentine enjoy our life without terrorists and murderers and child molesters. We the real Argentine hope CFK amend our constitution so we are free to vote for CFK again if we do so wish.
Here laugh all you want, my jaw is hurting from laughing so much.
m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=NJ6VzwubxxA

36 briton (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 07:03 pm Report abuse

You have quite an imagination.
And you seem to have imaginary dreams.
CFK is in your mind,
And your mind is in Canada, your new home.
.

37 Pirat-Hunter (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 07:24 pm Report abuse

#36 Sorry and you think that some terrorist who murders innocent Muslim women and children with a bogus WMD charge has any credibility left ? Sorry dude but who is going to listen to child molesters and murderers?. Only in US, UK or Canada you can get away with that crap.
Argentine around the world support CFK and demand from her to create a new import tax under the name Ghana tax to be Charged to all none south American country with the sole purpose of buying a new navy fleet to replace that which was stolen by Ghana. We also demand CFK to build a nuclear defence program 100% made in Argentina.
Here have a good laugh at this.
m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=NJ6VzwubxxA

38 Captain Poppy (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 08:06 pm Report abuse

briton....#37 alex vargas does not know the difference between an invasion based on “hey...that's my island” then killing innocent islanders......and an invasion based killing the talliban and al qaeda.
So ph+, whne will crustina kirchner tax businesses and build the nuclear defense? I know, right after that get the Liberstad back jajajajajajajajaja
alexis vargas, you are sounding rather stale and in a weakened stae lately. Momma take her nipples away from you?

39 LightThink (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 08:09 pm Report abuse

The dirty,corrupt politic hierarchy look around new minion,teenage fool flock to keep up ,perpetuate their own status quo...in all around the world countries

What a corruption
they are itching to military tanks at the streets.

The admin will can not be given into the hands of the only civilians.

40 GeoffWard2 (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 08:16 pm Report abuse

Children voting .... HUMBUG!
Criminals in prison voting??? ..... I think not.
Illiterates voting? .... Why?
Rainforest indiginants voting? ... How?
Women voting? ..... what, you think I'm mad? ;-)

41 Captain Poppy (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 08:24 pm Report abuse

lightthink missing the meaning of your post?

42 ProRG_American (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 08:48 pm Report abuse

Briton. You are on every comment line of every article. Don't you have a life? Do you get paid for being on this site? Ar you part of the MI6 connection rumored to be financing this site?

43 slattzzz (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 08:54 pm Report abuse

@42 why are you sussie?

44 Captain Poppy (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 09:03 pm Report abuse

I think CIA and MI6 have better things to do.

45 ProRG_American (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 09:09 pm Report abuse

Let Briton answer my question.

46 TipsyThink (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 09:21 pm Report abuse

Briton ?

thats comméntator who has obsessíon to CFK
or
who has obséssion to every old womén in lôve.

47 slattzzz (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 09:30 pm Report abuse

@37 repeating yourself like the delusional fool you are

48 ProRG_American (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 10:05 pm Report abuse

“who has obséssion to every old womén in lôve.”

That's called MILF

49 Pirat-Hunter (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 10:12 pm Report abuse

#38, #39,#40, #43
i never bought the WMD nor the AL-CIA bogus stories
www.gregpalast.com/the-globalizer-who-came-in-from-the-cold/
www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x720694
www.nazret.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2387&sid=9377af41a42c3e1f3a6f3b7e681b8fd8

CFK keep up the good work we support youn 100%
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_orfcGnaseE&feature=related
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUwBJltxZgY
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDITjw6ahz0&feature=related
#42 no! homos and trolls don't have a life that's why they are always here looking for Argentine men, but that is very common in the British community.
#44 that's right CIA trains terrorist to murder innocent Muslim women and children in Afghanistan, Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Iran and turkey.
#47 worked for USA and the WMD. And for that same reason we Argentine demand CFK for a nuclear defence program and an import tax under the name Ghana tax to replace the money stolen by ghana from every none Latin American nation importing goods to Argentina, we love CFK and we hope she modifies the constitution to allow us Argentine to vote for her again next elections if I do so wish.

50 briton (#) Oct 24th, 2012 - 10:20 pm Report abuse

Normally we don’t answer applications, such as,

But in this case, it seems the children need attention.
Allow us,

46 TipsyThink
You make no sense, and thus no reply required,

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
42, dead person.
You are on every comment line of every article,

We have just checked this, and you 42 out number most on here,
2, this is a blog, and require replies,
3, we reply
4, you either answer or you do not.
5, as think would say, you are a turnip.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
45, dead person alive,
answer my question.
,,,,,,,,,,
1, question answered.
2, end of conversation.
Schools out, kids home , we in pub..lol.

pirat hunter, pro wants to know why you are always on here, reply to her/him/them/please.

51 Captain Poppy (#) Oct 25th, 2012 - 12:44 am Report abuse

no one was selling it to general failures such as yourself, someone expelled from their birth country and had to flee to a white man's world. sucks to be an unanted, unneeded and uncared for mestizo ah alexis vargas/pirate hunter?

52 Ayayay (#) Oct 25th, 2012 - 02:32 am Report abuse

Give all those 16 year old credit cards. The ones that DON'T use them, or use them to grow energy (money) using a looong-term, compassionate view, them ALL the votes.

53 Troy Tempest (#) Oct 25th, 2012 - 04:01 am Report abuse

248 PRoARG

““who has obséssion to every old womén in lôve.”

That's called MILF”

LOL, what other internet sites do you visit, PRoARG????

54 Zhivago (#) Oct 26th, 2012 - 01:00 am Report abuse

49 Pirat
You are such a loser, you need to get over that martyrdom feeling you get when you realize who you actually work for, mind the gap!!! and...

55 Troy Tempest (#) Oct 26th, 2012 - 06:34 am Report abuse

Pirat-hunter aka Alex Vargas

www.facebook.com/avargas2001

Alex Vargas

www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=332871196758497&set=pb.100001068575678.-2207520000.1350436

56 Zhivago (#) Oct 26th, 2012 - 10:39 am Report abuse

Pirat Hunter is everything that is wrong with my country. Child of immigrants who came here to work and brought along with them a petulant child with a chip on his shoulder. He plays the immigrant card to mask all his failings, incidentally both my parents were immigrants, I am a first-generation Canadian, in other words he slipped through the system and he wants the rest of us to be held accountable. Not so Mr. jew-hating Pirate!!!!! Get back on the plane and don't come back, you have been a strain on our social services long enough! I am going to find out what fast-food restaurant you work in and then I am going to go in and throw up all over the rest room and then watch as you are sent in to mop it up. That should set you on your journey to rediscover your humility and maybe grow up a bit.
Mind the Gap!

57 Troy Tempest (#) Oct 26th, 2012 - 03:10 pm Report abuse

@56 Dr Zhivago

ALEX VARGAS mentioned in one his earlier rants that he had invested money in stocks and lost it, “I am still waiting for the Canadian government to pay me back...” LOL

What an idiot - uneducated and speculating on the market, expecting huge returns, then indignant towards bankers. Feels he deserves to be repaid by CANADA !??

No responsibility for his own actions - Argentine parasite.

58 British_Kirchnerist (#) Oct 30th, 2012 - 12:30 am Report abuse

Great move by Cristina =) And if this strengthening of democracy also strengthens good governance, ie makes her more likely to re-elected, so much the better! I support it for the UK too, but I regret the way its being introduced in Scotland just as a dirty trick for one referendum to split up the country - English 16-18 year olds should have the vote too! Even ones like Conqueror =)

59 Captain Poppy (#) Oct 30th, 2012 - 11:27 am Report abuse

Stupid move for political can. I will laugh when it bites her in the face....I mean her ass......difficult to differentiate the two. Why stop at 16? Africa use 9 year olds to fight.

Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!

ANALOGA information.design Estrategia y diseño Web.