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How the Federal Government justifies sending those Under 21 to war, but not allowing them to drink alcohol is beyond me. If those between the ages of 18 and 21 are considered competent enough by the government to kill another man in the name of war, then he should at least be able to drink up to it when he is finished. The government seems to believe that when a person becomes 21, they magically transform into a responsible person capable of handling the burden that comes with consuming alcohol.

Those who created the laws may have had good reason for them, at the time of creation, however, in this day in age, I do not believe the Under 21 laws applicable at all. The people in power in the government would like to believe that the Under 21 laws are really making an impact on teenage alcohol consumption. What they do not want to believe is that in this day in age, it is extremely easy for a minor to come in to the possession of alcohol, whether it is from their parents, or from a friend who is of legal age.

Why is the United States so much different than any other country in its Under 21 laws? Studies done from other countries show that those who are introduced to alcohol at a young age learn to practice moderation in consuming alcohol. And even though these countries do probably have stiffer penalties for Driving Under the Influence and other alcohol related penalties, I do not believe this affects people’s thoughts in those countries.

Allowing an 18 year old to have a drink or two will not affect him leading a normal, productive life. Those in power like the law, for it fills them with a sense of safeness. They like to believe that with this law in effect, no one under 21 years of age will drink; this is their biggest error. They do not want to look at the actual statistics, which state that almost 80% of young people, if the need arose, would be able to obtain alcohol from an older friend, or...