Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
You seem to think that all regulation of alcohol and drinking is bound to fail.
I find that amusing. Consider the example of my state of Utah. We have strict laws regulating alcohol here because of religious values in the population. You can't buy hard liquor or wine unless you go to a state owned liquor store to do it. There are a very limited number of these state run stores.
Bars are held to a high standard. If it appears as if they have served someone who is intoxicated, they will be fined over a $1000 for the first offense. Second, offense, their license is suspended for weeks. Third offense, they lose their license.
Something about the law here is working. We have the lowest consumption of alcohol per capita in the U.S. and the fewest alcohol related crimes.
Our military is all volunteer. Serving in the military is an eighteen year old's choice. Its the state's choice to deny anyone below a certain age the right to purchase or be served alcohol. I hardly lose sleep over these eighteen year old soldiers who are denied the "right" to drink.
You are likely a devout Mormon. My brother is a Mormon priest who happens to live in Utah. I respect your beliefs, and realize that many actually do adhere to the prohibitions regarding forbidden activities in your church. I also know some Jack Mormons who readily drink alcohol when they feel they will not be exposed for doing so. Abstention is fine. There is nothing wrong with that, but it is a choice as is belonging to your church. Utah is majority Mormon, so it is absolutely logical that with fewer drinkers, they would have comparatively few problems with alcohol.
The fact is, however, that most people in our country as a whole are not Mormons. And, even if they were, it would still be their choice whether or not to be devout or of the Jack variety. My point here is not about your state, or about your religion. It is that there is no way to enforce prohibition, and since 18 year olds are adults it is improper to deprive them of adult choices and activities. Trying to make 20 year olds who choose to drink obey drinking age laws has the opposite effect of what the attempt is trying to accomplish. Just as it did during Prohibition in the 1920s, it encourages unmonitored binge drinking and makes the problem far worse. And while you are correct that military personnel are volunteers (I happen to be retired military), that does not make it "right" to deprive them the same freedoms of choice enjoyed by all other adults. That also means that they absolutely must be held to the same standard of behavior, and punished for making poor behavior choices.
You seem to think that all regulation of alcohol and drinking is bound to fail.
I find that amusing. Consider the example of my state of Utah. We have strict laws regulating alcohol here because of religious values in the population. You can't buy hard liquor or wine unless you go to a state owned liquor store to do it. There are a very limited number of these state run stores.
Bars are held to a high standard. If it appears as if they have served someone who is intoxicated, they will be fined over a $1000 for the first offense. Second, offense, their license is suspended for weeks. Third offense, they lose their license.
Something about the law here is working. We have the lowest consumption of alcohol per capita in the U.S. and the fewest alcohol related crimes.
Our military is all volunteer. Serving in the military is an eighteen year old's choice. Its the state's choice to deny anyone below a certain age the right to purchase or be served alcohol. I hardly lose sleep over these eighteen year old soldiers who are denied the "right" to drink.
And this is exactly the same process and results that will work with gun control!! Finally someone that understands! Restrict the sale and make those that sell the objects responsible and then the problem greatly fixes itself! You are brilliant sir!
And this is exactly the same process and results that will work with gun control!! Finally someone that understands! Restrict the sale and make those that sell the objects responsible and then the problem greatly fixes itself! You are brilliant sir!
You must be kidding? Not only would this not work any place but Utah, where most people don't drink, it would make matters worse any place else and the notion that "gun control" would work, even in Utah, is ridiculous to the extreme. The most troubling aspect of your post, however, is the tone that basically promotes dictatorial government control over the private lives of citizens and the continuing trend toward loss of freedom and more rigid government interference. Those concepts would ultimately fail in our country, but I'm sure the attempts to force them down everyone's throats would do a lot of damage to our people in the process.
In addition, I'd venture to say there is little difference even in Utah between 20 year old drinkers and 21 year old drinkers, and for those who do drink the restrictions actually make matters worse by forcing activity into unregulated places. Those Jack Mormon 19 year olds will find a way to take part somehow.
You must be kidding? Not only would this not work any place but Utah,
As my earlier link showed, it didn't work in Utah either.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
