Enough is Enough, Why can not the US Drinking age be at least 18!!!

[Dan4510]

Part of the not leaving the nest syndrome is the percieved problem of makning a living. I have taught in a university and most 18-22 year olds expect to have the material possessions of their parents by the time they are 30. Overspending with no cushion will do this and any little mistake will drive kids back to the parents.

Also, basic personality comes out this way. When my divorce hit, the first thing I did was to move out and establish my new household and go about my business.

First thing the ex did was to move in with her parents and over a year later is still there sponging off of them with no job.

Dan

[ February 06, 2004, 11:44 AM: Message edited by: Dan4510 ]

 

[novadude]

quote:

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I have taught in a university and most 18-22 year olds expect to have the material possessions of their parents by the time they are 30. Overspending with no cushion will do this and any little mistake will drive kids back to the parents.

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Very true. My priorities were different.

Instead of buying a new car when I got out of school in '93, I picked up a $1000 '76 Nova, and later sold that for a 1985 Regal ($1800) (I had my '65 Nova this whole time, but that is a summer cruiser). I took all my "extra" money and hammered away on student loans. Now, almost 10 years later, the loans are gone and I was finally able to get a decent car and start saving for a house. Was the sacrifice worth it? You bet! It is a good feeling not to have the weight of a car payment and $1000's in student loan and credit card debt hanging over your head.

The other thing about my situation, is that there was no "safety net". I come from a lower middle class family. My parents stuggle to make ends meet, and there was no way they were going to bail me out of anything.

[ February 06, 2004, 11:35 AM: Message edited by: novadude ]

 

[msparks]

quote:

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Originally posted by uconn1150:
I thought that if you were 18 and on base, you could drink?

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Nope only overseas, since it's allow over there. In the USA no drinking on base until your 21.

 

[Jimbo]

Fairness? The drinking age has always, since the end of prohibition, been 21 in California. Until 1972 not only could you (men only) be drafted to fight a war, but you could not even vote! To me, voting was much more important than drinking.

We have a representative form of government with legislative powers split between local, state and federal government. There are always going to be inconsistant laws.

 

[MillerMan]

old arguement that is over, I don't think the fed goverment will ever lower the drinking age to 18, a state may try or want to but money is were it's at these days.

good old ronny said he wouldn't do it less than a week before he did it, the insurance company lobby was why.

wisconsin almost lowered it back to 18 or 19 back in the late 80's, they were one vote away from doing it. in wisconsin the county has control over the penalty for under age drinking, they can't lower the drinking age, but can set the penalty at a 10 dollar fine if they want to. about a year ago the county I am from lowered the penalty to something like 75 dollars provided now one under 18 is envolved or was driving or something like that. surprisingly the county police were in favor of lowering the fines.

but I feel the drinking age should be 19. 21 seems to high. there was the idea floating around here once of having it at 19 for beer only, and maybe no bars till 21.