SimplyAtheistic

Thanks for the many replies, but I think people are still missing something. Some say that lowering the age would not be acceptable due to the increase in deaths, and I still have yet to hear what exactly is acceptable.

If you consider an 18 year old mature enough to fight and die, why not mature enough to consume alcohol? Alcohol isn't the problem, the problem is driving while under the influence. This problem could be stopped just as it is for people of legal age. Promote safety and good habits, but ultimately the decision lies upon the individual, and only that person can make the choice.

There are plenty of things in this world that cause death, but we continue to participate in them because the low chance of death, and the pleasure it might provide. Adults don't want to lower the age because it really doesen't affect them, they see 2000 more people die and they would jump all over it. The reality is that if we wanted to take something away from them very precious with the statement "But it could save 2000 more lives", they wouldn't be so quick to agree. I mean, why not promote prohibition, since many people of legal age DUI all the time. I ask you, why is it that you are unwilling to give up your freedom when it could save lives?

The real problem is, and soze has illustrated this many times, is that adults no longer care after they reach the legal age. Even if my stance is right, most adults wouldn't support my stance because it just doesen't affect them. Soze, when you were my age, you say you felt the same way. I don't think you changed your views because you were "enlightened", but rather because you simply lost interest. Every death is painful, but there are sooo many things that cause death that you would not want to abolish.

Please consider my argument for its worth, and look not at my age. Paragraphs for Gurdur.
Jake

Edit: How do you get this thing to indent?

keyser_soze

Yes, most of the people that I went to high school with that drank even moderately early on, for the most part, became alcoholics.

keyser_soze

No, actually I don't consider 18 to be old enough to fight and die. I was in the army, 18 is hardly adequate for the task.

keyser_soze

No, you are making a fundamental mistake. There is no line you cross where you were a kid one day, and adult the next. Is evolution instaneous? Neither is maturity. We don't just get tired, or stop thinking about it. In fact, you spend MORE time worrying about the direction of freedoms and rights.

SimplyAtheistic

What do you consider a mature age, and based on what evidence? Please respond to my entire post.
Jake

SimplyAtheistic

Then how can you define an age where it is suddenly legal? There are many 43 year olds who aren't mature enough to drink. If you say by the amount of deaths, what is your acceptable amount?
Jake

keyser_soze

The older I get, the higher the number goes. I consider 24 to be an adequately mature age for military service, and should ALWAYS be voluntary. As to what is a mature age for life? Everyone is different, I know old people who have yet to mature. I also know younger people who are more mature. I personally think 33(my age) is still not mature. I should think for the majority, 40 is mature.

keyser_soze

Give me 2 minutes before you get antsy please. Your reply is above, and as to evidence, I base it on living. It's anecdotal, and fairly inadmissiable.

keyser_soze

I don't get to set the rules, and I don't necessarily agree with every rule. Prohibition? I think you are aware of how well that worked. It created power bases in organized crime, which did further damage. Anyway, I'm off to sleep, work in 6 hours or so, and it's a 12 hour shift. I'll be back in tonight to chat. Meantime, have a nice day.

SimplyAtheistic

Sorry about getting a little ansy, I had to get back to work in a short while, planting season and all. Anyways, you agree with me that maturity has no age mark, so I am asking you how 18 is not a good to set the legal drinking limit. I mean, what is your line where suddenly the age needs to be set higher or set lower? I personally think that 18 is a good age, and 21 is a bit high. I base this off of the fact that most 16 year olds wouldn't want to give the keys to a friend because they just received their own set of keys. Anyways, whats your ideal age for setting the legality of drinking. I mean, I drink all the time and have had no problems, I might be a rarity though.
Jake