Legal Drinking Age Options

[*Kathleen*]

So my civics class was talking about it the other day, and I thought I'd like to share with you guys: Do you think the legal drinking age should be raised or lowered? Now, here's how I stand on this: I think it should be kept the same, although if I were to choose between raising or lowering it, I would definitely pick raising it. Here are my points.

-There are too many accidents that can be prevented because of drunk drivers. Now, I know what you're thinking: there are people out there who are of legal drinking age who already get in accidents. Those can be stopped, too, though. I'm just saying here that a few of the whole can be prevented by keeping the new, drunk drivers off the road by raising it. I think the average age to drive nowadays is sixteen (it is in Pennsylvania), and if you wait two years opposed to given the chance to drive and drink, then you would've had experience there. *Thinks to herself...yeah, I think I covered most things on that*

-Next, you might say: Well, we can fight for our country at eighteen. Okay, now I can easily refute this a few ways. Yes, you are (most of the time) handed a gun when you join our military, but...THIS IS FOR A GOOD CAUSE! You're handed a beer can...that's not helping our country in any way. See my point? Also, you must realize that by going through the service, you will [most likely] come out a better, more mature person. So what if you're able to serve your country at eighteen...who says that you're already mature enough to drink then?

-Third, this is not discrimination against teenagers. Obviously, your age will change. You can't change [most of the time...heh...*Thinks of Michael Jackson*] the color of your skin nor your gender [thinks again...most of the time!]. See my point?

-Lastly (I think), I looked around the room in my civics class to find that the only people wanting the legal drinking age lowered were those that drink already. Okay, we can't stop all the idiots who want to waste away their lives at that from drinking, but if it is highered or more strict, their chances of being caught and punished is higher.

So yeah, I think I made my point...heh...I'm about to leave, but yeah I hope this thread doesn't die soon.

[Winter]

Well, you have to realize that those countries aren't the United States. They have other laws, too. One problem I see with the United States is the fact that we're too lenient (sp?) on many things, and this is one of them. People are letting all these accidents go, not being careful. People are ignorant to what will happen when they get behind the wheel, drunk, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE TOLD MILLIONS OF TIMES! Sheesh.

Yeah, the United States is very lenient. Our government recently changed the driving age to 21. They say it's because it's the teens that mostly get into car acidents. Psst.

Well I honestly don't really care what the legal age is. As long as I get my supply who cares. Haha nah I'm just kidding.

But really there's no point in a legal age coz if someone really wants booze, they can easily get it. It's just up to the person really.