Drinking Age Poll

[LeBron]

21 (D)
Alcohol is evil and must be fought.

If only Americans were as smart as French people.

I don't support Prohibition, but I'm also a Democrat who supports it at 21. 16 is way too young and anyone in their teens could be completely irresponsible with it and get themselves hurt or killed. I'm already 19 and the only time I've ever had a drink(s) was under an Ohio exception for 18 and up that allows you to have small portions as long as it's seen and permitted by a supervised adult. There's stories always on the news about drunk teens behind the wheel, and if they get lucky, a cop will pull them over and save them, but that's not always the case and can end up dead for one stupid decision involving alcohol (also a reasonable argument for being against recreational marijuana).

[LeBron]

No consumption age, but set 16 as a purchase age.

21 (D)
Alcohol is evil and must be fought.

If only Americans were as smart as French people.

I don't support Prohibition, but I'm also a Democrat who supports it at 21. 16 is way too young and anyone in their teens could be completely irresponsible with it and get themselves hurt or killed. I'm already 19 and the only time I've ever had a drink(s) was under an Ohio exception for 18 and up that allows you to have small portions as long as it's seen and permitted by a supervised adult. There's stories always on the news about drunk teens behind the wheel, and if they get lucky, a cop will pull them over and save them, but that's not always the case and can end up dead for one stupid decision involving alcohol (also a reasonable argument for being against recreational marijuana).

Literally everyone I know drank before turning 16. If anything, 16 is an acceptable compromise for not abolishing the drinking age altogether. The state has better things to do than lock up some 16 year olds for drinking in their parents' basement and not hurting anyone in the process. Obviously drunk driving laws would remain on the books and would still be in force, but I still think it's pretty ridiculous to argue that people who can legally be employed should not have basic legal rights such as the right to consent to sex, the right to drink and smoke, the right to vote, etc. There are literally no reasonable arguments for being against recreational marijuana, despite the Anti-Fun/#420NO brigade's continued assertions to the contrary.

IMO, being able to drive is far more important than being a 21st century version of a bootlegger when it comes to what teens deserve more. I would rather have my license as I do than sneak a couple of beers into the basement and I would hope others would agree. Also, employment isn't comparable because a job makes someone a better person, more responsible, and you get paid at that low of an age while drinking and smoking don't. Driving and a job have more to offer than underage drinking and a ride in a cop car. I do support lowering the voting age though because that should be expanded for everyone young like ElectionsGuy who are interested in politics and likely want to vote this year. And it's not as much "anti-fun" as it would be pro-protective.