Opinion of Drinking Laws

[DownWithTheLeft]

I believe they are not only awful but they increase crime and lead to deaths.  The reason for America's binge drinking and DWI problems is the fact kids want to drink because it is against the rules.  If we eliminated these laws, DWI arrests would drop drastically and alcohol poisoning cases would fall.  I see no problem with drinking, although I guess a lot of people will say it's had a negative effect on me

[Gabu]

They're perhaps a small part of it in cases involving teenagers, but people over 21 have shown themselves to be just as capable of driving while intoxicated and drinking way too much as those under 21.  Personally, I think it has more to do with the mentality that you have to be drunk to be able to enjoy yourself than anything else.

[MaC]

I believe they are not only awful but they increase crime and lead to deaths.  The reason for America's binge drinking and DWI problems is the fact kids want to drink because it is against the rules.  If we eliminated these laws, DWI arrests would drop drastically and alcohol poisoning cases would fall.  I see no problem with drinking, although I guess a lot of people will say it's had a negative effect on me

I think that you'd be hard pressed to find someone that supports drinking laws on this forum.

By the way, why are you in the evil party-doing a reverse Emsworth?

[Padfoot]

I think it is silly that the drinking age is 21.  I generally think that America does things backwards with respect to drinking in large part due to our obsession and dependence on cars.  The drinking age should be 15 and the driving age should be 18.  If this were the case there would be a dramatic decrease in alcohol and automobile related deaths of teenagers and college students.

[Dr. Cynic]

Drinking laws really don't affect me, because I don't drink... However, I don't believe that someone who can go to war can't have a drink.

[opebo]

There is no need for either a drinking age or 'drunk driving' laws.  Needless intrusion.

[Wakie]

They are ridiculous.  I'm well past 21 now but I still believe they are silly.  If you are old enough to fight and die for your country, old enough to select your nation's leaders, and old enough to be tried as an adult for your actions, then you are old enough to drink responsibly.

The history of why the drinking age went up to 21 is because back in the 1970s MADD presented a study which showed that most auto accident deaths occur in college age drunk drivers.  The study failed to make note of 2 important things.

1. That drunk driving is the #1 cause of auto deaths in any age group.
2. Non-alcohol related auto fatalities is highest amongst young drivers.

So, to appease a voting block (MADD), Congress took away the rights of a non-voting block (under 21s).

[7,052,770]

Raise the drinking age to 25, or bring back Prohibition for all I care.  I've had enough of drunken frat idiots at football games, and since well, MSU hasn't had the most success lately, they're always ranting and getting mad and threatening to throw their cowbells into the crowd.  It's scary.

[Gabu]

So, to appease a voting block (MADD), Congress took away the rights of a non-voting block (under 21s).

Er, the voting age is 18...

[Wakie]

So, to appease a voting block (MADD), Congress took away the rights of a non-voting block (under 21s).

Er, the voting age is 18...

Yes ... but the voter turnout from 18-21 is extremely low.  Hence, it is a largely ignored voting block.

[DownWithTheLeft]

I believe they are not only awful but they increase crime and lead to deaths.  The reason for America's binge drinking and DWI problems is the fact kids want to drink because it is against the rules.  If we eliminated these laws, DWI arrests would drop drastically and alcohol poisoning cases would fall.  I see no problem with drinking, although I guess a lot of people will say it's had a negative effect on me

I think that you'd be hard pressed to find someone that supports drinking laws on this forum.

By the way, why are you in the evil party-doing a reverse Emsworth?

Well, I tried to say I was a libertarian but people don't me I didn't belong b/c of I oppose gay marriage and approve of the Patriot Act.  Aside from that, many of my positions are even more radical than libertarians.

[Undisguised Sockpuppet]

Abolish all drinking laws except as it comes to safety laws for manufacturing drinks.

[MaC]

I believe they are not only awful but they increase crime and lead to deaths.  The reason for America's binge drinking and DWI problems is the fact kids want to drink because it is against the rules.  If we eliminated these laws, DWI arrests would drop drastically and alcohol poisoning cases would fall.  I see no problem with drinking, although I guess a lot of people will say it's had a negative effect on me

I think that you'd be hard pressed to find someone that supports drinking laws on this forum.

By the way, why are you in the evil party-doing a reverse Emsworth?

Well, I tried to say I was a libertarian but people don't me I didn't belong b/c of I oppose gay marriage and approve of the Patriot Act.  Aside from that, many of my positions are even more radical than libertarians.

well, pretty much both things you mentioned are an increase in government.  We don't want government to define marriage and we don't want unwarranted searches.  Pretty basic things to ask for, really...

[adam]

I don't support age limits on any substance of that nature. Seems a rather silly concept to me that they just pulled a number out of their ass and determined that it was the proper age in which to allow people to begin drinking alcohol. Same with cigarettes.

[ilikeverin]

The drinking age should be lowered to 18, or maybe 19.  Actually, 19, I think.  That way only stupids are in high school and drinking

[SPC]

I believe they are not only awful but they increase crime and lead to deaths.  The reason for America's binge drinking and DWI problems is the fact kids want to drink because it is against the rules.  If we eliminated these laws, DWI arrests would drop drastically and alcohol poisoning cases would fall.  I see no problem with drinking, although I guess a lot of people will say it's had a negative effect on me

I think that you'd be hard pressed to find someone that supports drinking laws on this forum.

By the way, why are you in the evil party-doing a reverse Emsworth?

Well, I tried to say I was a libertarian but people don't me I didn't belong b/c of I oppose gay marriage and approve of the Patriot Act.  Aside from that, many of my positions are even more radical than libertarians.

Yeah, I actually noticed your recent shift to the left on social issues. I found that you must have had an epiphany, considering that you use to have a social score of +7.something.

[DownWithTheLeft]

I believe they are not only awful but they increase crime and lead to deaths.  The reason for America's binge drinking and DWI problems is the fact kids want to drink because it is against the rules.  If we eliminated these laws, DWI arrests would drop drastically and alcohol poisoning cases would fall.  I see no problem with drinking, although I guess a lot of people will say it's had a negative effect on me

I think that you'd be hard pressed to find someone that supports drinking laws on this forum.

By the way, why are you in the evil party-doing a reverse Emsworth?

Well, I tried to say I was a libertarian but people don't me I didn't belong b/c of I oppose gay marriage and approve of the Patriot Act.  Aside from that, many of my positions are even more radical than libertarians.

Yeah, I actually noticed your recent shift to the left on social issues. I found that you must have had an epiphany, considering that you use to have a social score of +7.something.

Actually I just reevaluated some issues and gave more truthful answers on others

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

As far as I'm concerned if you're old enough to fight for you country or vote for your leaders... then you should be allowed to drink.

The drinking age here is 18 - I've been on college campuses... and the degree of binge drinking stuns me... an Australian.

[??????????]

I believe they are not only awful but they increase crime and lead to deaths.  The reason for America's binge drinking and DWI problems is the fact kids want to drink because it is against the rules.  If we eliminated these laws, DWI arrests would drop drastically and alcohol poisoning cases would fall.  I see no problem with drinking, although I guess a lot of people will say it's had a negative effect on me

I think that you'd be hard pressed to find someone that supports drinking laws on this forum.

By the way, why are you in the evil party-doing a reverse Emsworth?

Well, I tried to say I was a libertarian but people don't me I didn't belong b/c of I oppose gay marriage and approve of the Patriot Act.  Aside from that, many of my positions are even more radical than libertarians.

Yeah, I actually noticed your recent shift to the left on social issues. I found that you must have had an epiphany, considering that you use to have a social score of +7.something.

He's headed in the wrong direction, that's for sure.

[WalterMitty]

hmm im in an awkward position here.

im known as a 'drinker' on this board.  yet, for the most part, i support the current drinking laws.

i think it has been shown that those under 21 have a hard time handling alcohol responsibly.  just look at the binge drinking deaths statistics.

[they don't love you like i love you]

hmm im in an awkward position here.

im known as a 'drinker' on this board.  yet, for the most part, i support the current drinking laws.

i think it has been shown that those under 21 have a hard time handling alcohol responsibly.  just look at the binge drinking deaths statistics.

All the binge drinking is largely as a result of the drinking laws. I did it a lot more before I was 21, because I wanted to drink as much as possible and since I couldn't just walk into a bar and have one beer I didn't have the opportunity all the time. So whenever I was at some keg or house party I would try to drink as much as possible and this is something I see all underage people do even today.

I also hardly see any difference in the maturity of a 21 year old and an 18 year old.

[WalterMitty]

hmm im in an awkward position here.

im known as a 'drinker' on this board.  yet, for the most part, i support the current drinking laws.

i think it has been shown that those under 21 have a hard time handling alcohol responsibly.  just look at the binge drinking deaths statistics.

All the binge drinking is largely as a result of the drinking laws. I did it a lot more before I was 21, because I wanted to drink as much as possible and since I couldn't just walk into a bar and have one beer I didn't have the opportunity all the time. So whenever I was at some keg or house party I would try to drink as much as possible and this is something I see all underage people do even today.

I also hardly see any difference in the maturity of a 21 year old and an 18 year old.

most people are more mature at 21 than at 18.

i realize that may not be true in your case.

[CultureKing]

Move the drinking age to much lower, look at Europe for guidance on what to do.

[HardRCafé]

Raise the drinking age to 25, or bring back Prohibition for all I care.  I've had enough of drunken frat idiots at football games, and since well, MSU hasn't had the most success lately, they're always ranting and getting mad and threatening to throw their cowbells into the crowd.  It's scary.

It should be 25 in the Great Lakes region and 18 in the rest of the nation.

[they don't love you like i love you]

most people are more mature at 21 than at 18.

If you would hang out in the bars I go to for awhile, you would quickly see that that is not the case.