Glenn Reynolds says we should:
‘If you get shot at, you can have a shot.” That’s the rationale behind Alaska State Representative—and Vietnam veteran—Bob Lynn’s effort to establish a drinking age of 18 for active-duty service members.
It’s an idea that has gotten consideration in other states, and it makes sense. Unfortunately, Mr. Lynn’s proposal would violate the 1984 Federal Uniform Drinking Age Act, costing Alaska federal highway money. This is a battle that Republicans—and fair-minded Democrats—in Congress should join…
That “Uniform Drinking Act” came about because of the efforts of MADD – Mothers Against Drunk Driving (side note, my mother considered herself a charter member of DAMM – Drunks Against Mad Mothers). This was (and is) a national busy-body group which is dedicated to the principal that if even one person is irresponsible, all other people must pay the price. It was all part and parcel with that on-going demand on the part of some that life be made risk-free – and that means freedom-free; we daren’t risk allowing you, 19 year old, to have a drink because if you do you might drink to much and then you might get behind the wheel and then you might hurt yourself or others. The method of enforcement of this law – which could not constitutionally be forced upon the States – was to say that if a State didn’t knuckle under, they’d lose their federal highway funds. Faced with a choice of standing on principal or getting federal swag, State politicians swiftly fell in line.
But it is absurd that an 18 year old can vote in our elections and fight in our wars, but can’t have a drink. Once you are a legal adult you should be able to do all things a legal adult may do – if you can’t, then you are being treated unjustly. Our choices are to either lower the drinking age to 18, or raise the age of adulthood to 21. Either way would be logical and just; pick one or the other, but don’t go for halves.
My view is that to take away the vote from someone who already has it is not really tenable, so might as well make 18 the all-around legal age for everything. Aside from being a simple act of justice, it would also be a blow against all of those who propose to use the heavy club of government to control our behavior. The same logic behind a national 21 law is behind laws trying to limit how much fat we can have in our foods, or whether or not the kids can have a coke at school. If there is one thing I despise it is the sort of person who feels he has to stick his nose in – who proposes to save me from myself. I have a Savior, thanks very much, and don’t need another.
Time for a revival of liberty – including, as necessary, the freedom to be a fool:
The free man owns himself. He can damage himself with either eating or drinking; he can ruin himself with gambling. If he does he is certainly a damn fool, and he might possibly be a damned soul; but if he may not, he is not a free man any more than a dog. – GK Chesterton
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