Discrimination is the act of singling out one particular
(non-criminal) group of American citizens and treating them differently
than, and especially as inferior to, other citizens.  America has
experienced this with African-Americans and women, among others, and is
currently grappling with the treatment of gays, Neo-Pagans, and the
differently abled.  People were, and sometimes still are, discriminated
against because of their race, skin color, religion, sex, and sexuality.
	Another way that Americans can be discriminated against is because
of their age.  Workers have been forced to retire at 65, for instance,
even though they are perfectly capable of performing their jobs.  This is
called Ageism, and while one end of the scale, the elder portion, has
successfully fought their unfair treatment, the other end of the scale,
the younger portion, is still discriminated against in a manner which would
be considered a national disgrace were it African-Americans or women.
	"Teenaged minors" (ages 13-17) have been placed into a special
category of citizen who, mostly through no fault of their own, are virtual
slaves to parents or guardian, and cannot legally drive, own property,
sign a contract, marry or mate, express their sexuality, drink alcohol, or
vote, even if they're physically and mentally able to do so competently. 
They are completely disenfranchised, comparatively powerless, and unjustly
discriminated against.
	I have thought about this, and would like to here address the
fact that a citizen between 13 and 17 cannot vote.  This one seems to me
to be the least controversial of the above list.  I asked myself:  why
can't this age group vote?  The first and most obvious answer that came to
mind was:  they're too young.  But what does "too young" mean?  Does it
mean that they don't have enough life experience, wisdom, knowledge, or
ability to understand the issues involved? 
	All my experience with teens as a counsellor and minister strongly
suggests that they are often able to examine, understand, and come to a
logical, rational, and wholly reasonable decision about political and
social issues.  In fact, they often have a better and broader grasp of
contemporary issues than many "adults" whom I know or serve in the public
library.  Yet few would question an adult citizen's right to vote.
	The restriction on teen minors' right to vote doesn't make sense. 
Suppose, as an example, an adult with Down's syndrome and an IQ roughly
equivalent to a 13-year-old's registers to vote and enters a polling place
in a Presidential election.  That person would be allowed to vote, no
questions asked, no test for competency or knowledge of the candidates
requested.  So why, then, would a 17-year-old with indepth knowledge and
understanding of the candidates and a strong, supportable opinion as to
which one could better run the country be denied the right to vote? 
Simply because of their age?  If there is indeed no other reason, then the
17-year-old is being unjustifiably and, in truth, illegally, discriminated
against.  This is Ageism at it's worst. 
	The age group discussed here has yet to "wake up" to their
situation, so thoroughly have even the most intelligent and aware members
been indoctrinated, from birth, to their inferior position in society.
And this is, in fact, a national disgrace.