A controversial take I don't think should be controversial

Landed immigrants, foreign students of age and permanently residents, basically anyone who is going to be here long term should be able to vote.

Why? Because they contribute to the economy and the future of the country and the politicians get huge amounts of control over their future. So I believe they should get a say.

You don't have to be a citizen for the government to have huge amounts of control over your daily life, so you should not have to be a citizen to vote. Period.

You don't have a democracy if not every person impacted by the vote gets a say.

I also would lower the voting age to 16 since you don't have to be 18 to enter the workforce and contribute. And I don't think there is any magical wisdom that happens between 16 to 18.

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SunshineGirl · 36-40, F

I certainly support the lowering of the voting age. I also think the votes of those in their teens, 20s and 30s should be weighted to count twice as much as those of older people, as they are the ones who will paying for most of the government's mandated programme.

Convivial · 26-30, F

@SunshineGirl nice thought but I must disagree.... Sounds a little bit of Napoleon the pig in there in that some animals are created more equal than others....

SunshineGirl · 36-40, F

@Convivial It's a train of thought I have developed post-Brexit. We said at the timw if the vote could be postponed for five years the outcome would be different as the population would be more progressive and the benefits of immigration more widely appreciated. As it is, the result was swung by the votes of older people who are no longer with us and who do not have to live with the social and economic consequences. Although in principle I am in favour of one-woman-one-vote, I do think a weighted system could help to direct more equitable policy making.

Convivial · 26-30, F

@SunshineGirl I can maybe understand your thinking but it's a very do slippery slope...I pay more taxes than you do should my vote be weighed more?

SunshineGirl · 36-40, F

@Convivial It would be linked to age, not tax receipts. So those whose lives are most affected by laws would have a greater say.

If it were by tax contribution, I would calculate the effective tax rate of each decile of the population, which in most countries would result in the richest 10% receiving least representation . . .

Convivial · 26-30, F

@SunshineGirl still not convinced....I live a stone's throw from Sydney Uni....I see them every day walking across roads, headphones on and looking down at their phones....I don't have a huge faith in their abilities to think yet...

SunshineGirl · 36-40, F

@Convivial Natural selection may account for the more distracted voters 🚙 🚨 🤕