Comments on: Lower Drinking Age? http://trudalane.net/2008/08/19/lower-drinking-age/ David Randall's blog of law, the Internet, and current events Thu, 08 Jan 2009 11:22:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Sean http://trudalane.net/2008/08/19/lower-drinking-age/comment-page-1/#comment-6301 Sean Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:58:06 +0000 http://trudalane.net/?p=818#comment-6301 I personally think the drinking age should be lowered to 18, however not implemented over night. Having every over 18 and under 21 person suddenly turn legal over night would probably only prove MADD's concers. Clearly there has to be some transition period because the current law created the current culture, and when the law is changed, the old culture will linger for sometime after. For this reason I'd suggest lowering the age to 20 for a year or two, then two 19 for another year or two, and finally to 18. While I support age 18, at the root of the problem is the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 which indirectly takes away the power of the state to set the drinking age. I believe this act should be repealed, and let the states decide its own age, whether higher or lower than 21. I personally think the drinking age should be lowered to 18, however not implemented over night. Having every over 18 and under 21 person suddenly turn legal over night would probably only prove MADD’s concers. Clearly there has to be some transition period because the current law created the current culture, and when the law is changed, the old culture will linger for sometime after. For this reason I’d suggest lowering the age to 20 for a year or two, then two 19 for another year or two, and finally to 18. While I support age 18, at the root of the problem is the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 which indirectly takes away the power of the state to set the drinking age. I believe this act should be repealed, and let the states decide its own age, whether higher or lower than 21.

]]> By: Cujoespo http://trudalane.net/2008/08/19/lower-drinking-age/comment-page-1/#comment-6296 Cujoespo Sat, 30 Aug 2008 05:26:51 +0000 http://trudalane.net/?p=818#comment-6296 I think lowering the drinking age would ultimately be good, but the results would not show right away. In fact it might even be worse. It's not just a question of lowering the age, but also changing the culture. Americans are brought up with alcohol as a privilege rather than a responsibility and honestly are not very astute as to the different types of alcohol and how to enjoy them with grace. As for MADD, they are correct in thinking that there will be more drunk driving accidents and the like, I think those numbers rose the last time the drinking age was lowered. What they aren't considering is that the percentage of accidents based on how many people are drinking may stay level, which of course offers no solace to them if the actual total increases... I for one don't think the government has the right to limit how we choose to live our lives, whether we want to drink, smoke or gamble. The government's job isn't to protect us from ourselves, but from others. So instead of having a drinking age which only inhibits one's ability to gain access to alcohol, there should be stiffer penalties for drunk driving and other alcohol related crimes. I think lowering the drinking age would ultimately be good, but the results would not show right away. In fact it might even be worse. It’s not just a question of lowering the age, but also changing the culture. Americans are brought up with alcohol as a privilege rather than a responsibility and honestly are not very astute as to the different types of alcohol and how to enjoy them with grace.

As for MADD, they are correct in thinking that there will be more drunk driving accidents and the like, I think those numbers rose the last time the drinking age was lowered. What they aren’t considering is that the percentage of accidents based on how many people are drinking may stay level, which of course offers no solace to them if the actual total increases…

I for one don’t think the government has the right to limit how we choose to live our lives, whether we want to drink, smoke or gamble. The government’s job isn’t to protect us from ourselves, but from others. So instead of having a drinking age which only inhibits one’s ability to gain access to alcohol, there should be stiffer penalties for drunk driving and other alcohol related crimes.

]]> By: JESSE R http://trudalane.net/2008/08/19/lower-drinking-age/comment-page-1/#comment-6292 JESSE R Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:01:34 +0000 http://trudalane.net/?p=818#comment-6292 I've always been in favor of lowering the drinking age, especially after living in the UK where the drinking age does begin at 16 (historically, however, their culture is steeped in alcohol). This is the first time I've heard 16 in America, though I agree that this would push high schools and parents to teach teenagers about alcohol responsibility. High schools could even mandate an Alcohol Education course, much like Driver's Ed or Sex Ed, but with the emphasis on responsibility more than total abstention. I’ve always been in favor of lowering the drinking age, especially after living in the UK where the drinking age does begin at 16 (historically, however, their culture is steeped in alcohol). This is the first time I’ve heard 16 in America, though I agree that this would push high schools and parents to teach teenagers about alcohol responsibility. High schools could even mandate an Alcohol Education course, much like Driver’s Ed or Sex Ed, but with the emphasis on responsibility more than total abstention.

]]>