Throughout a current Fort Lauderdale Metropolis Fee debate, we mentioned whether or not 18-year-olds needs to be eligible to run for public workplace. Some argued that younger adults lack the maturity or expertise to shoulder that duty. I see it in another way.
Once I was 18, I enlisted in the US Marine Corps. The federal government trusted me with the superior duty of defending this nation. I used to be anticipated to behave with self-discipline, judgment and braveness — the identical qualities we ask of anybody in public service. If our nation can belief an 18-year-old to hold a rifle in protection of freedom, certainly a metropolis can belief one to sit down behind a dais and make selections about potholes, parks and public coverage.
At 18, Individuals can vote, signal contracts, serve on juries, get married and be tried as adults. They will pay taxes and go to battle. To disclaim them the precise to run for workplace is to inform them they’re accountable sufficient to die for his or her nation however to not assist govern it. That’s not according to the ideas of self-government.
What additionally strikes me as inconsistent in in the present day’s politics is that we regularly develop private alternative for younger individuals in some areas whereas limiting it in others. We belief them with weighty selections about their schooling, well being, sexuality and future — but we hesitate to belief them with civic duty. If we imagine 18-year-olds are able to making grownup decisions in each different a part of life, then they need to even be trusted to take part totally in democracy.
Maturity ought to imply one thing. If we are saying that authorized maturity begins at 18, then the rights and tasks of maturity ought to apply constantly — not selectively based mostly on comfort or politics. Both we imagine within the capability of younger adults to make selections, or we don’t.
Some say age equals knowledge — and maybe that’s true, at the very least in concept. However as anybody who has served in public life is aware of, maturity isn’t assured by the variety of candles on a birthday cake. In reality, our personal metropolis not too long ago discovered it essential to undertake a code of conduct for elected officers, a number of of whom are previous 60. So let’s not fake that age alone ensures common sense.
Permitting 18-year-olds to run for workplace doesn’t assure anybody a seat. It merely ensures them an opportunity — the prospect to supply their perspective, share their power, and earn the belief of voters. The voters is completely able to deciding who is able to lead. That’s how democracy renews itself.
Fort Lauderdale has all the time valued civic participation and alternative. We must always not shut the door to those that have simply reached maturity; we must always invite them to participate in shaping their future. In the event you can vote, work, pay taxes and serve in uniform, you’ve earned the precise to serve in workplace.
Sufficiently old to serve means sufficiently old to guide.
John Herbst is vice mayor of Fort Lauderdale.