What do you think of the US' drinking age?

[HAL9000]

Can you stop being every other post in every thread? Please? Like even if our mystical USA leaves you so utterly amazed at every aspect in life, can you keep it to yourself? As I've said before, I've lived in both places. The US and the UK aren't much different. You're either unbelievably sheltered, way young, or a troll to not realize this.

Or perhaps I just don't spend my time thinking about what life in the US is like, until I enter a culture that is submersed in it? In any event, I'll post what I like, when I like, as often as I like unless I'm breaking some rule or being offensive and not realising.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

The difference is that your prime minister is commander in chief, our prime minister is invited into power by the monarch...

See my post above about all the compromises needed to get anything done at the national level. He is the leader, but really does not do much of anything without the state leadership agreeing. One big exception to this is at times of national emergencies. The power that the President and US Congress has at their times is utterly terrifying in a lot of ways. Consider the response to 9/11 where MAJOR new laws where enacted within weeks and the power of strongest military in the world (plus its allies) was brought to bear.

 

[HAL9000]

See my post above about all the compromises needed to get anything done at the national level. He is the leader, but really does not do much of anything without the state leadership agreeing. One big exception to this is at times of national emergencies. The power that the President and US Congress has at their times is utterly terrifying in a lot of ways. Consider the response to 9/11 where MAJOR new laws where enacted within weeks and the power of strongest military in the world (plus its allies) was brought to bear.

Yeah I see this now, the response that you were quoting is an argument I was making about why I assumed that the president has more power then our prime minister, before I read your comment.

 

[HAL9000]

In any event team I had fun talking with you guys thanks for the info. I'm going to sleep, goooodnight.

 

[Patranus]

Fine.
They should also make it so you have to be 21 to vote.

 

[xanis]

Keep it at 21, but allow those under 21 to take a situation-based common sense test that if passed (with 100&#37 would allow a special stamp to be placed on the license allowing those individuals to drink.

 

[IGBT]

americans will always find a way to get dizzy at any age.

 

[shadow9d9]

Since alcohol is more dangerous than drugs, either legalize all drugs or make all alcohol illegal. Minimum age wouldn't matter.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Eliminate drinking age, let the parents deal with it.

 

[ElFenix]

It's kind of a clusterfuck, laws vary a lot from state to state. This page seems to have a pretty good summary. From what I understand, what you suggest is legal in seven states. With parental consent, minors can consume in 29 states on private property (edit: on private property that isn't an alcohol-selling premises, I guess).

http://drinkingage.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=002591

. on alcohol-selling premises, with parental approval in 10 states

ordering a drink with my parents at dinner i would still get carded, and i'm in one of those 10 states.

i guess it's easier for the restaurant to just tell employees to card everyone rather than try to determine parentage.

 

[Linflas]

Eliminate drinking age, let the parents deal with it.

I honestly wouldn't have an issue with this as long as it is confined to the home for those under the age of majority. Otherwise since you are considered mature enough at 18 to put your life on the line by entering into a contract to defend the United States and vote for who makes the laws I believe you should absolutely be able to participate in any other legal adult activity including the consumption of alcohol.

 

[slayer202]

mmm vodka and coke. 4 out of 5 trolls recommend it

 

[Wyndru]

Like my grandfather always said, if you are old enough to fight for our country, you are old enough to drink.

 

[torpid]

Fine.
They should also make it so you have to be 21 to vote.

I don't know which one needs to change, but I do think it's absurd that you can vote but not drink from 18-20. I also question why you can drive but not vote at 16-17.

 

[DT4K]

The real question is who in the hell drinks vodka and coke?
That's just nasty.

 

[HAL9000]

I can't believe how young you guys can drive a car solo. I heard some girl saying she could drive at like 15 or something? How old do you have to be to drive a car on your own with a provisional licence?

 

[SagaLore]

I think drinking, smoking, driving, joining the military, getting married, etc. should all be set to 20.

 

[erikistired]

this has nothing to do with the topic, but every time i read OPs name all i can think of is "neckbeard".

now i return you to your regularly scheduled trolling.

 

[HAL9000]

The real question is who in the hell drinks vodka and coke?
That's just nasty.

I don't know I was trying to think of a drink that 17 year olds drink...

this has nothing to do with the topic, but every time i read OPs name all i can think of is "neckbeard".

I do have some facial hair now that you mention it, but I wouldn't call it a beard...

 

[frostedflakes]

I can't believe how young you guys can drive a car solo. I heard some girl saying she could drive at like 15 or something? How old do you have to be to drive a car on your own with a provisional licence?

Again it varies a ton from state to state. But in KS it was 14 to get a learner's permit (can only drive with an adult with a full license), 15 for restricted (can drive alone only to school and work or with an adult), and 16 for a full license. And then I think you could get farm permits at like 13/14 that had some other restrictions. I think they might have upped the ages recently, but this is how it was like nine years ago when I started driving.

 

[rcpratt]

I can't believe how young you guys can drive a car solo. I heard some girl saying she could drive at like 15 or something? How old do you have to be to drive a car on your own with a provisional licence?

Most states it's 16 to drive alone, but it varies.

In MI, you can get your learner's permit (drive w/ parents or licensed driver over 25 or something) at 14 and 9 months.

I think it's fine like that. Maybe push it back a few years for the ladies...D:

 

[HAL9000]

Most states it's 16 to drive alone, but it varies.

In MI, you can get your learner's permit (drive w/ parents or licensed driver over 25 or something) at 14 and 9 months.

I think it's fine like that. Maybe push it back a few years for the ladies...D:

That's insane you can drive a car at 70 miles an hour (a potential deadly weapon) that could easily kill 10's of people at 16 or earlier in some places but you can't sip a glass of wine on your own... bizzare.

 

[AreaCode707]

I can't believe how young you guys can drive a car solo. I heard some girl saying she could drive at like 15 or something? How old do you have to be to drive a car on your own with a provisional licence?

It varies by state.

Generally you can get a learner's permit (meaning you can drive with someone in the car to train you) around 15 or 15.5.

Generally you can get a license at 16 if you have taken an approved driver's education course and have a minimum number of hours of supervised practice.

Often there are additional restrictions for the first x months of your license, like not being able to have people under the age of 21 or 25 in the car with you unless they are related.

There are exceptions. I believe you have to be 18 years old to drive in New York City, due to the congestion and other conditions that make driving there a more challenging endeavor. I think you may be able to drive at a younger age in Montana (am I remembering right?) since it's mostly wide open roads with little traffic or hazards.

 

[AreaCode707]

That's insane you can drive a car at 70 miles an hour (a potential deadly weapon) that could easily kill 10's of people at 16 or earlier in some places but you can't sip a glass of wine on your own... bizzare.

I think those items are related, actually. They restrict alcohol in part BECAUSE we have a younger driving age and they're trying to force additional safety.

What you may not get is how essential cars are in the US. In the EU, you have far more viable options for public transit. You can get to school, to work, to entertainment without necessarily needing a personal vehicle. The US is simply too large to have build the infrastructure already for truly effective mass transit.

 

[Elias824]

Yeah MADD lobbied pretty hard for the increase in drinking age IIRC. I think one of the other arguments is that the brain is still developing past the age of 18 and that heavy drinking can mess up development. Don't know if there's any truth to this or not.

Thats the reason ive always heard, but I don't think the brain stops developing until like 24. I think the drinking age should be 18, if your an adult you should be able to decide for yourself if you want to take the health risk or not drinking, hell you can smoke when your 18. The longer you treat people like children, the longer they will stay children, we seem to be extending childhood more and more in this country.
Also I believe if you are on an army base you can drink when your 18, I remember my dad telling me that but Im not sure if its true or not.