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Because some people (like me) are often to lazy and not quite interested enough to follow the link, here's the skinny:
States do govern drinking age. The federal government doesn't really have jurisdiction. This being said, the federal government wanted the drinking age to be 21. So they withheld federal highway funding if the state didn't change the drinking age to 21. Louisiana was the last state to change it - they finally had to because their interstates were in such a state of disrepair.
There should not be a legal drinking age. The gubment is not my nanny, it's up to me and my kids to decide when they should start drinking, or smoking pot for that matter.
We live in a screwed up society when we tell ourselves that the government is there to protect us from ourselves and help us raise our kids.
They can give you a gun and tell you to shot and kill people, they can let you get married and have sex but they don't want you to have a beer just yet..... that's seriously retarded.
My real issue with it is they can FORCE you to pick up a gun and shoot people (at least in the US) and you can't drink. If I'm eligible to be drafted, then I should at least be able to throw back a shot of tequila in an attempt to forget the fact that I'm being forced into war.
Seriously, though... that was the rationale for lowering the voting age - people should be able to choose their leaders if their leaders can send them off to war without us having a say in it. So why, if I can serve and be killed in Iraq, can I not drink?
Sidenote: Thanks for the compliment the other day. =) Noted and appreciated.
Haha, I know. When I was writing that, I wondered if I should somehow incorporate that fact. To be fair though, all of the proposed resolutions regarding the draft stipulated that, this time around and from now on, women would be included in the draft (if they weren't pregnant and some other exceptions).
But, to be fair, most women have to bleed for one week a month for the majority of their lives (though the ability to take birth control continuously is making this less and less true). I feel it's a fair trade off - y'all get drafted, we have to bleed and go through labor.
Naw, but really, it is a double standard, and based on antiquated conceptions of gender roles in society. Should be changed.
I disagree with Pepe. There should be a legal drinking age, but it should be the same age as other "adult" responsibilities. And I think the same should go for pot.
And if parents want to give their children either before that time, that should be their legal right. Much like it is now with alcohol (at least in some states in the US).
They dropped it here (from 20 to 18) and it's been a mess. Instead of the underage drinkers being 17, 18, 19 they're now 15, 16, 17. And the amount of binge drinking and hospital admissions for alcohol poisoning have increased dramatically.
Before it happened I was in favour - now I'm not, but I think it's too late to change back.
To be fair, there is a ton of underage drinking here at 15-17 (I live in Texas, and since that's in the US the drinking age is 21). I know that my friends across the country in debate start drinking regularly - and some of them heavily - at about 14 or 15.
European countries with a very low or no drinking age have fewer problems with alcoholism, teen binge drinking, etc.
I think initially, the novelty of it will drive teens to drink more - since it HAS been illegal, it's going to be awesome to be able to do it. Same concept as turning 21 - everyone drinks a lot for awhile on and following that birthday, until being able to drink legally loses its novelty. I think, in the long run, lowering the drinking age is a beneficial idea.
Harmful acts resulting from the expression of personal vices should be illegal (e.g. DWI resultant accidents) but the vice itself should not. You gum up my air w/ your poison, whether cigarettes or CO2, and I get real pissy. You drink yourself into a stupor at home and I could care less. However, you come into my ER with chronic emphysema from smoking and I'll treat you but you will get a strong lecture.
No. The drinking age should stay the same. People are going to act immaturely with alcohol whether their minors and they are not allowed to drink legally and if they are legally allowed to drink.
This comment was deleted.
[1 point] 4 years ago by deleted user ReplyDon't the states govern that for non military personnnell?
This comment was deleted.
[1 point] 4 years ago by deleted user ReplyBecause some people (like me) are often to lazy and not quite interested enough to follow the link, here's the skinny:
States do govern drinking age. The federal government doesn't really have jurisdiction. This being said, the federal government wanted the drinking age to be 21. So they withheld federal highway funding if the state didn't change the drinking age to 21. Louisiana was the last state to change it - they finally had to because their interstates were in such a state of disrepair.
KP
There should not be a legal drinking age. The gubment is not my nanny, it's up to me and my kids to decide when they should start drinking, or smoking pot for that matter.
We live in a screwed up society when we tell ourselves that the government is there to protect us from ourselves and help us raise our kids.
They can give you a gun and tell you to shot and kill people, they can let you get married and have sex but they don't want you to have a beer just yet..... that's seriously retarded.
My real issue with it is they can FORCE you to pick up a gun and shoot people (at least in the US) and you can't drink. If I'm eligible to be drafted, then I should at least be able to throw back a shot of tequila in an attempt to forget the fact that I'm being forced into war.
Seriously, though... that was the rationale for lowering the voting age - people should be able to choose their leaders if their leaders can send them off to war without us having a say in it. So why, if I can serve and be killed in Iraq, can I not drink?
Sidenote: Thanks for the compliment the other day. =) Noted and appreciated.
KP
Actually, KrisMP87, they can't make YOU go shoot people. Only men can be drafted. Another wonderful double standard.
Haha, I know. When I was writing that, I wondered if I should somehow incorporate that fact. To be fair though, all of the proposed resolutions regarding the draft stipulated that, this time around and from now on, women would be included in the draft (if they weren't pregnant and some other exceptions).
But, to be fair, most women have to bleed for one week a month for the majority of their lives (though the ability to take birth control continuously is making this less and less true). I feel it's a fair trade off - y'all get drafted, we have to bleed and go through labor.
Naw, but really, it is a double standard, and based on antiquated conceptions of gender roles in society. Should be changed.
KP
The men and women in Iraq weren't forced (drafted) to right in the war. They chose that as a career.
I understand that. I'm saying hypothetically.
In the world of a draft, men ages 18-21 would be drafted to fight in a war while at the same time not being legally allowed to drink.
I apologize if my post conveyed the idea that there's a draft now. That isn't true and wasn't my intention.
I agree. There shouldn't be a drinking age.
I disagree with Pepe. There should be a legal drinking age, but it should be the same age as other "adult" responsibilities. And I think the same should go for pot.
And if parents want to give their children either before that time, that should be their legal right. Much like it is now with alcohol (at least in some states in the US).
This comment was deleted.
[1 point] 4 years ago by deleted user ReplyThis comment was deleted.
[1 point] 4 years ago by deleted user ReplyThey dropped it here (from 20 to 18) and it's been a mess. Instead of the underage drinkers being 17, 18, 19 they're now 15, 16, 17. And the amount of binge drinking and hospital admissions for alcohol poisoning have increased dramatically.
Before it happened I was in favour - now I'm not, but I think it's too late to change back.
To be fair, there is a ton of underage drinking here at 15-17 (I live in Texas, and since that's in the US the drinking age is 21). I know that my friends across the country in debate start drinking regularly - and some of them heavily - at about 14 or 15.
European countries with a very low or no drinking age have fewer problems with alcoholism, teen binge drinking, etc.
I think initially, the novelty of it will drive teens to drink more - since it HAS been illegal, it's going to be awesome to be able to do it. Same concept as turning 21 - everyone drinks a lot for awhile on and following that birthday, until being able to drink legally loses its novelty. I think, in the long run, lowering the drinking age is a beneficial idea.
The European thing was what people were hoping for - and even expecting. It didn't happen
No no no. Most people act ridiculous when drinking. It should be illegal. Along with cigerettes.
I act ridiculous when I'm really tired or really happy; should that be illegal, too?
We saw how well Prohibition worked last time - what makes you think it would work any better today?
Im not here to argue. I gave my opinion.
Harmful acts resulting from the expression of personal vices should be illegal (e.g. DWI resultant accidents) but the vice itself should not. You gum up my air w/ your poison, whether cigarettes or CO2, and I get real pissy. You drink yourself into a stupor at home and I could care less. However, you come into my ER with chronic emphysema from smoking and I'll treat you but you will get a strong lecture.
Well said.
yes this is well written.
This comment was deleted.
[1 point] 4 years ago by deleted user ReplyNo. The drinking age should stay the same. People are going to act immaturely with alcohol whether their minors and they are not allowed to drink legally and if they are legally allowed to drink.
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[1 point] 4 years ago by deleted user Replyits 18 in the UK and i think thats realistic.
yes, and end the War on Drugs, which is as foolish a prohibition as an arbitrary drinking age.