Philosophy
Essay by review • January 17, 2011 • Study Guide • 1,030 Words (5 Pages) • 944 Views
Should the United States legal drinking age be changed to 18?
In 1986, Mother Against Drunk Driving succeeded in lobbying efforts to make federal highway subsidies dependent on a 21 drinking age. Since then, every state has complied. Does this help keep us safe on the roads or does it infringe states' rights and the freedoms that come along with adulthood?
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Mothers Against Drunk Driving* (typo)
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No rights have been 'infringed'. Any state that wants a different age can by a simple vote. The fact that the state will lose highway funds has nothing to do with rights.
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strayer's Avatar strayer
You are incorrect when you state that, "The fact that the state will lose highway funds has nothing to do with rights." One entity of government is influencing a decision that is left to a different entity by the United States Constitution. Report It
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The federal government is imposing control in a situation where they have no right to do so. Report It
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There needs to be a single age at which the rights and responsibilities of adulthood are transferred to young people. Report It
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It is illogical that people between the ages of 18 and 21 are given the ability to wield political power by voting, to drive vehicles at highway speeds, and to purchase a highly addictive drug in the form of nicotine-laced cigarettes. Report It
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They are bestowed the responsibility to answer for their crimes as adults and to defend the country in times of need. Report It
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Yet, they are not truly given all of the rights of those under 21 years of age. Some people would consider the ability to consume alcoholic beverages a privilege and not a right. This argument does not apply in this situation. Report It
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To the source of this twisted clichÐ"© I would like to pose this question: Is it a privilege to read? To play the piano? These ideas are the next step. The risks are not the same, but the same argument applies, that the government bestows rights onto the people. Report It
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. If you agree with our system of government, then you must also stipulate that rights come from the people, not an overseeing body. Report It
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Young adults are still considered children
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