Letter to the Editor: In Favor of Lowering The Legal Drinking Age

Dustin J. Ramsey
2348 Caney Fork Rd.
Cullowhee, NC 28723
828-508-7050
gwu43@yahoo.com
March 15, 2008

Judy Keen
Editor
USA Today
1234 First St.
New York, New York 60581

Dear Editor:

I am writing this letter in response to the article published in USA Today, “Lowering the Bar”, which discusses the possibility of lowering the legal drinking age from 21 to 18 or 19 years of age. A number of states are considering passing a bill that would lower the drinking age; however, certain organizations, such as MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), that are giving strong opposition to the bill. I am in agreement with passing such a bill for a number of different reasons.

Some states are considering lowering the drinking age for everyone, but other states are considering lowering the age only for members of the military. I agree with the states that want to lower the legal drinking age to 18 for everyone. When an American citizen turns 18 years of age they must register to vote and register for the draft. There has not been a draft since the Vietnam War, but if our country went to war and the U.S. had to enact a national draft then everyone over the age of 18 would be required to enlist in the military. These 18 year-old men and women would put their lives in danger to protect our country. Younger adults would be at the top of the draft list, so if our country thinks that an 18 year-old individual is old enough and responsible enough to protect our country, then they should be old enough and responsible enough to drink a beer. Deputy Transportation Secretary Thomas Barrett is in opposition to this bill stating that joining the military at 18 and drinking at 18 are not “the same type of maturity,” (Keen). I do not agree with this because many young adults join the military for such reasons as getting their education paid for and needing direction in their lives. In my opinion, this shows a great deal of immaturity.

I would like for Congress to give this bill serious consideration because we are asking a lot from our young adults once they turn 18 years of age and if we are not going to try to protect them from war then we should not protect them from responsibility. We should encourage our young citizens to be more responsible for their lives and the lives of others. This should be done by putting more trust in them. If our younger citizens choose break this trust, the punishment should be great but trust them nonetheless!

Sincerely,


Dustin J. Ramsey