OPINION

Purple is the New Party ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer Let them eat democracy! STAFF WRITER Kimberly Rivers CONTRIBUTORS Michael Cervin, David Michael Courtland, Ivor Davis, Emily Dodi, Alicia Doyle, David Goldstein, Chuck Graham, Chris Jay, Daphne Khalida Kilea, Karen Lindell, Paul Moomjean, Mike Nelson, Tim by Paul Moomjean Pompey, Emily Savage, Kathy Jean Schultz, Alan Sculley, Kit paulmoomjean@yahoo.com Stolz, Mark Storer, Alex Wilson, Leslie A. Westbrook, Kateri Wozny

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Bret Hooper, Paul Braun, Elaine Cota

As America continues to live in the “essential workforce” SALES TEAM LEADER political and sociological rollercoaster that is 2020, the November election is less than a month away. As wouldn’t get a say in how their taxes are spent seems ridiculous in light Warren Barrett ADVERTISING SALES Barbara Kroon CLASSIFIEDS President Trump is currently in quarantine of the current world we Ann Turrietta after catching COVID-19, along with the rest of the GOP apparently, and DNC candidate Joe Biden goes around the country live in. While expanding the voting pool feels like Advertising information, call 805.648.2244 Classified Ads | Display Ads with a new-founded sense of vigor, I want a natural move to me, EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING OFFICE to encourage you to look at the California general ballot and take a seemingly insignificant proposition and look to vote YES on it. Proposition 18 is a very important there are a lot of condescending adults with many inarticulate arguments against it. I’m 805.648.2244 warren@vcreporter.com (Advertising) nancy@vcreporter.com (Editorial) aturrietta@timespublications.com (Classifieds) civil rights and suffrage law that would going to break down The Ventura County Reporter is distributed every Thursday in Ventura, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Camarillo, Ojai, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village and Agoura Hills. The potentially help young people become more the most ridiculous Reporter is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. The Reporter may politically astute and less cynical in how arguments by the Vote be distributed only by Reporter authorized distributors. No person may, without prior written permission of the Reporter, take more than one copy of each Reporter issue. their government sees them. No on Prop 18 team: The Reporter is copyright ©2020 by Times Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means

When I got my ballot on Oct. 4 in the mail, “Many tax increases and without permission in writing by the publisher. An adjudicated Newspaper of General I filled in my ballot with my blue pen, when bond debt measures are Circulation (SP50329). Submissions of all kinds are welcomed. However, the publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. A stamped, self-addressed envelope I came across this particular ballot initiative. decided on primary and must accompany all submissions expected to be returned. Here is the bill’s definition straight from the special election ballots. voter guide: “Proposition 18 will allow those That’s why only adults who will be 18 years of age by the time of the should vote.” general election to participate in the primary While many teenagers may not understand like a Scooby Doo villain. The argument PRESIDENT Steve Strickbine election of that year if they are 17 at the time every tax on the ballot, neither do most adults. above doesn’t make much sense when you VICE PRESIDENT Michael Hiatt of the primary.” But if teenagers can be hired for jobs, they consider we also have limitations on 18-20

While the idea of more teenagers voting should be allowed the right to select leaders year olds concerning drinking, and people is too dumb to comprehend the issues of the might scare some, mostly baby boomers and who spend those taxes. under 25 cannot run for state senate seats, and day. These were also the same arguments used paranoid Republicans, Prop 18 is actually something that should have been allowed Opponents go on arguing, “California law puts extra rules and restrictions on driver of course people under 35 cannot run for president. Yet, these teenagers are driving, and they against allowing Black people and women from voting back in the day. Yet these are the AD PROOF since at least the 1950s and now more than ever. I taught high school and coached for almost 20 years, and while I can say should be allowed to vote when gas taxation issues come up. Yet, the worst argument made is out of a satirical same people who take AP tests and honors classes, and use critical thinking skills in sports and after school clubs. Because that is who will vote — the energetic students who love thinking and debating and being part of While many teenagers may not understand every tax on the ballot, neither do most adults. But if teenagers can be hired for jobs, they should be allowed the Client: Cypress Place Ad Executive: Barbara Kroon (805) 648-2244 Please check this proof over carefully and indicate all corrections clearly. You will have a “1st Proof”, “2nd Proof”, and “Final Proof”. If we receive no proof after the 1st or 2nd Proofs, AD WILL RUN AS IS. If this proof meets your approval on the 1st proof, check off “FINAL PROOF (APPROVED)” box, date and sign at the bottom ISSUE: 10/8/20NOTICE: PLEASE FAX THIS PROOF TO (805) 648-2245 ASAP that 17-year-olds might right to select leaders who spend those taxes. magazine like Babylon the system. not be the most politically Bee or The Onion: While the arguments against Prop 18 are minded, neither are most Americans. But one licenses of l6- and 17-year-olds because of “California law reflects the scientific evi- silly and hold no real weight, they are an open thing that many 17-year-olds do have are jobs. concerns about maturity and judgment. The dence that age-related brain development is window to the mind of aging boomers scared Tax-paying jobs. In a country that was founded license restrictions disappear exactly on the connected to the ability to reason, analyze and they are losing their state. Too late. The state on the principle of no taxation without repre- 18th birthday, not before.” Sometimes while comprehend cause-and-effect. The agreed-up- is already lost. We can only hope that the next sentation, the fact that teenagers who make up reading this argument, I feel the authors want- on age of reason, both statewide and nation- generation can fix it. I say, let them vote and a good portion of what we now consider the ed to just write, “I don’t like pesky teenagers!” ally, is 18.” They are arguing that the brain let them eat democracy!