Big Ideas in American Politics: Age Limits, Voting Age, Retirement Age, Birthright Citizenship, and Criminal Justice Reform
In the lead-up to the presidential election, American politics is in the midst of a big ideas period. Candidates are pushing expansive proposals, often lacking in specifics, to appeal to primary voters and demonstrate their vision for the country. While these proposals may have little chance of becoming law, they provide insight into the priorities of those vying for the presidency. With President Joe Biden positioned as the Democratic nominee, the majority of intellectual action this year is among Republicans. Let’s explore some of the big ideas currently circulating in American politics.
Age Limits for Presidential Candidates
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is proposing a “mental competency” test for candidates over the age of 75. This proposal taps into concerns about President Biden’s age and cognitive abilities. However, implementing such a test raises questions about who would administer it and assess the results. Critics argue that age limits would limit voters’ choices, as the democratic system should allow voters to decide. That being said, age limits are not entirely unprecedented, as corporations impose them on executives and pilots have a mandatory retirement age.
Raising the Voting Age
Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy suggests raising the voting age to 25, arguing that it would increase civic engagement. However, this proposal faces challenges due to the 26th Amendment, which guarantees the right to vote for those aged 18 and above. In recent years, some Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have advocated for lowering the voting age to 16. Ramaswamy’s proposal includes exceptions for those who join the military or meet a “national service requirement.” The aim is to attach greater value to voting and encourage more engagement among young adults.
Raising the Retirement Age
Nikki Haley and former Vice President Mike Pence are advocating for raising the age at which Americans can access retirement benefits. They argue that the retirement age should be raised for younger generations who are likely to live and work longer. However, specific details regarding the proposed retirement age are scarce. Haley believes that calculations are needed to determine the appropriate retirement age for individuals currently in their 20s. This proposal aims to address the nation’s finances and initiate an honest discussion about Social Security and retirement benefits.
Revoking Birthright Citizenship
Former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis want to revoke birthright citizenship, which grants American citizenship to every person born in the US. They argue that even babies born to undocumented individuals become citizens, a practice they oppose. However, birthright citizenship is guaranteed by the 14th Amendment, which was enacted to protect former slaves. While Trump has teased the idea of ending birthright citizenship for years, there is currently no significant effort to change the Constitution. Trump has mentioned the possibility of signing an executive order, while DeSantis suggests relying on Congress and the court system.
Criminal Justice Reform
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to undo Trump’s bipartisan achievement, the First Step Act, a criminal justice and sentencing reform law. DeSantis now refers to the law as the “jailbreak bill” and aims to impose the death penalty for drug offenders. This is a surprising shift for Trump, who previously commuted the sentence of a drug offender named Alice Johnson, garnering support for the First Step Act. Repealing the law would require cooperation from Democrats in the Senate. Meanwhile, former Vice President Mike Pence has stated that he would “take a step back” from the First Step Act, though the implications of this statement remain unclear.
As the election approaches, these big ideas reflect the priorities and visions of the candidates vying for the presidency. While some proposals may face challenges in terms of feasibility and constitutional constraints, they contribute to the ongoing national conversation about the future of American politics, policy, and governance.
Source: CNN’s “What Matters” newsletter
Original Story at www.cnn.com – 2023-07-03 07:17:00