I am seventeen, I have a job and I pay taxes. I am a functioning member of society, I drive a car, go to school, go to work, pay into social security, and pay into income tax. However I do not have the right to vote.
This is an unjust violation of my rights.
Back in 1776 we called this "taxation without representation." We went to war with Britain for this principal. We got the right to vote, but that was not a be all end all. Only white male land owners had the right to vote. This was wrong and unjust for the rest of the population. Thus over American History successive reforms have been made in the voting process so that all people have the right to Vote.
Constitution Amendment 15:
"The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude."
Constitution Amendment 19:
"The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex."
Constitution Amendment 26:
"The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age."
However after all these reforms we still leave a major part of the population unrepresented, Tax paying members of society under eighteen. We should have the right to decide were our tax dollars are going, we should have the right to decide who we want in Congress, and we should have the right to decide who we want to be The President of the United States.
As the election comes closer and closer the more frustrated I get. On November 4th my fellow Americans will go to their election centers and cast their ballots on who they think will do the best job of running the country but I and others like me will be left out on the stoop denied the Constitutional rights as a Citizen of The United States of America
[Update] Poll!