Lower the Voting Age? Socratic Seminar

On Tuesday, February 19, 2008 Cortney Golub's class had a Socratic Seminar on the New York Times Article: You're 16, You're Beautiful, You're a Voter (click the link to see the article). Overall, I think that it was not one of my best seminars, but I feel that I did make some strong points. One part of my performance that I was particularly proud of was when I pointed out and quoted that "An irresponsible driver is more dangerous than an irresponsible voter" from an earlier article. Not many of the people at my table agreed with my opinion to lower the voting age. I think that the strength of other's arguments against mine was a bit intimidating, therefore keeping me from talking some of the time. I definitely feel that I should speak up more and not just stick near my friends due to shyness issues (*laughs*).
In the article I thought that the author made a few very good points. At the age of 16, most teenagers are already having sexual relationships and drinking, even though they're not allowed to. Letting 16 year olds vote prepares them partially for the real world and the politics in it. It will help give 16 year olds the reins because, in reality, we are the future of the world. I don't, however, agree with the author's views on letting 16 year olds drink legally. It's like handing a 6 year old a bomb and letting him go free with it, if what I am saying is to be understood. By lowering the drinking age you are allowing 16 year olds, who are inexperienced with driving as it is, to drink and drive.
Overall, I thought that I did a good job in seminar, even though my opinion differed from most of the other's in my table. I do look forward to more conversations about this as it has gathered my interest.