speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

They don't have any bigger problems regarding drinking than over here. We had beer vending machines in our school when I was a little kid, it was supposed to be used only by kids from the 9th grade and up, but we snuck over there all the time anyway and got our fill.

bunuweld Loc: Arizona

The same thing apparently happens in Japan, where there are beer as well as sake vending machines. It looks to me like those age-based restrictive laws don't help that much. we could extend legislation to other areas otherwise. How about barring restaurants from serving high-calorie drinks and deserts to people over a certain weight limit? Easy enough to set a scale at the entrance and ask suspected customers to get on it before being served :-). It looks like countries with NO age limit for alcohol use, like the Netherlands or Norway, have no more problems than we have.

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

:thumbup:

Gosh, this goes off topic a little, but I agree with you. However, generally overweight people are not directly at risk for harming others. I think our society is okay with people living unhealthful lives as long as it doesn't affect them. Of course, the big picture is that it does affect them---just more indirectly.

Photoman74 Loc: Conroe Tx

Common sense applied more frequently.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

Obituary of Common Sense !

Today, we mourn the passing of an old friend by the name of Common Sense.

Common Sense lived a long life, but died from heart failure at the brink of the Millennium. No one really knows how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He selflessly devoted his life to service in schools; hospitals, homes, factories and offices, helping folks get jobs done without fanfare and foolishness.

For decades, petty rules, silly laws and frivolous lawsuits held no power over Common Sense. He was credited with cultivating such valued lessons as to know when to come in from rain, the early bird gets the worm and life isn't always fair.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn), reliable parenting strategies (the adults are in charge, not the kids), and it's okay to come in second.

A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, and the Technological Revolution, Common Sense survived cultural and educational trends including feminism, body piercing, whole language and new math.

But his health declined when he became infected with the "if-it-only-helps-one-person-it's-worth-it" virus. In recent decades, his waning strength proved no match for the ravages of overbearing federal legislation.

He watched in pain as good people became ruled by self-seeking lawyers and enlightened auditors. His health rapidly deteriorated when schools endlessly implemented zero tolerance policies; when reports were heard of six year old boys charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; when a teen was suspended for taking a swig of mouthwash after lunch; when a teacher was fired for reprimanding an unruly student. It declined even further when schools had to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student but couldn't inform the parent when a female student is pregnant or wants an abortion.

Finally, Common Sense lost his will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses, criminals received better treatment than victims, and federal judges stuck their noses in everything from Boy Scouts to professional sports.

As the end neared, Common Sense drifted in and out of logic but was kept informed of developments, regarding questionable regulations for asbestos, low-flow toilets, smart guns, the nurturing of Prohibition Laws and mandatory air bags.

Finally, when told that the homeowners association restricted exterior furniture only to that which enhanced property values, he breathed his last.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son Reason. His three stepbrothers survive him: Rights, Tolerance and Whiner.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

Author Unknown

Photoman74 Loc: Conroe Tx

Tax is about 45% of beer cost. Guess how much will be ava. for state and fed speed spending if age limit lowered. Also guess the odds of it happening.

Bmac Loc: Long Island, NY

I can not say for certainty whether all statistics support my contentions or not, nor do I know, nor can I ever know, whether all the studies have been completely unbiased.

That being said, there are certainly studies showing the significance between raising the drinking age and a decrease in automobile crashes, binge drinking, and overall alcohol consumption among underage youths. This law seems to have had numerous important benefits. I am of the opinion, based on my interpretation of the statistics, that the drinking age should not be lowered. 8-)

Fact Sheets - Age 21 Minimum Legal Drinking Age
The Task Force on Community Preventive Services recommends implementing and maintaining an age 21 minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) based on strong evidence of effectiveness, including a median 16% decline in motor vehicle crashes among underage youth in states that increased the legal drinking age to 21 years.
http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/mlda.htm

Red Bear

A very quick note, just to add fuel to the fire. But first, a disclaimer on my part: I don't have the responsibility to make these decisions. The decisions are not in my job description. Here, in Colorado, we could drink beer at 18 years of age for many years and parents were encouraged to teach their children (even younger kids) to drink responsibly.

Our state legislature raised the legal drinking age to 21 for all alcohol. Parents stopped teaching responsible drink and the "forbidden fruit" syndrome kicked in at the same time. The first few years after 18 year-olds were no longer able to drink legally, the teen highway death rate skyrocketed.

It better now, of course, but that probably is because nobody is drinking like they were fifty years ago - and the younger people smoke pot instead of drinking beer, anyway.

JSPIRAKIS Loc: Florida

The drinking age was 18 when I turned 18. I had a few friends killed in alcohol related accidents, but I don't believe there was any more back then than now, when you consider the difference in the population numbers. I have been in Law Enforcement for over 35 years now. Underage kids get alcohol now just like they did when I was young, parent's cabinet, older friends, buy it from stores that don't check ID's, etc. I believe the answer is in education of the dangers of binge drinking, driving while drinking, drinking in excess, etc. I don't like the idea of arresting an underage drinker, and putting them in a cell with adults until they make bond or see a judge. It just doesn't make sense to me. There is also the old argument of putting someone in the military, (even though the draft is over,) and sending them into combat, but arresting them if they drink a beer while at home. Educate them and let them drink.

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

Good feedback. Thanks for contributing.

pat5200 Loc: plano,tx

Yes...just Google your question or attend a MADD seminar you'll get your answer. I have been in the hospitality business for over 12 years. There are enough problems with legal age drinking..."cutting off" patrons, refusing service to customers who obviously have been drinking somewhere else.
The statistics tell the story. Underage drivers were involved in in twice as many "fatal" traffic accidents. Even at the legal age, drivers 21-25 the rate of drunk driving was the highest. Not much improvement in the 26-30 age group.
The European argument is a myth. Again look it up. The problem is worse than the US...public intoxication, rape, injury to the public.
We serve alcohol, but try to protect patrons and the non-patrons on the road. If you want to consider changing the drinking age consider raising it to 25.
Pat

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

How about we make the legal driving age 21? Do you think that will work?

pat5200 Loc: plano,tx

Yes, the stats suggest lives would be saved. Pat