I'm writing this letter to refute the suggestion made by state Sen. John Vasconcellos concerning partial votes for teens in his "Training Wheels for Citizenship" amendment that looks to lower the voting age in California in the 2006 elections. Though he believes that this constitutional amendment would help young people get involved in politics, it would only backfire.

Senator Vasconcellos believes that teenagers today are more informed on political issues because of the technological advances that grant us easier access to the media, from the Internet to cell phones. Sure, it may be easier to get informed in this generation than it was when our parents were teens, but at the same time there are more expectations placed on our generation than our parents'.

Recent studies have shown that 18- to 24-year-olds represent the smallest portion of votes in the nation, even though this age group is just as much affected as the rest of the nation. Possible reasons for this may include voter apathy, lack of political understanding, or just plain busyness. The same goes for teenagers.

At 14, I was in middle school, worrying about fitting in, what to wear to the school dance, and raising my pre-algebra grade. Now, at 17, my mind is filled with ideas concerning college: from SATs to extracurricular activities. Society doesn't allow teens the time to think about worldly issues like homeland security, or economical and domestic issues. How are we supposed to do all that our parents, teachers, and even society at large expect of us and still have the time and energy to get informed on all the political issues that face the nation today?

Furthermore, I don't believe that 14-year-olds are at the maturity level to be voting on serious issues that affect the whole nation. A candidate would only have to increase the number of vacations and decrease the amount of homework allowed in school to get the teenage vote. Fourteen-year-olds haven't experienced enough life experiences to be able to take voting seriously.

For most of us, it just doesn't seem like any of the issues being discussed in our government affect us. How will the relationship between the United States and Korea affect my everyday life? Maybe when I become an adult these issues will seem more relevant to me, and my life, but for right now, I'm fine with things the way they are.

Jessica Li

Charters Avenue

Unfair to point fingers
in sign-stealing fiasco

I take umbrage at Neil Malhotra's assertion (Letters, Oct. 27) that anyone involved in the Waltonsmith-Kao team stole his or anyone else's political yard signs during the current city council campaign.

If Neil had read a previous Saratoga News article, he would have discovered that a high school student from a nearby city took many of Andy Barnes' signs. He took them because his own name is Andy Barnes and he thought it would be fun to have the signs "paper" his bedroom.

When signs were disappearing en masse two years ago, including Neil's opposition candidates' signs, everyone was outraged. Our campaigners were instructed that under no circumstances were they to deface or take anyone's signs; to the best of my knowledge, none of our team engaged in any nefarious activities.

I agree with Neil that stealing signs is "cheating and sends a horrible message to Saratoga's youth." Destroying and/or stealing signs from people's yards demonstrates disrespect for others' property; it also violates the First Amendment of our Constitution.

Lastly, this is Saratoga, not Washington, D.C. Historical information from others, plus my own experience, has never supported Neil's contention that "people in power [in Saratoga] will do anything to keep that power." I suggest that Neil do a bit more research before he makes unfounded accusations.

Marcia Fariss

Saratoga Glen Place