Teen drinking specifically may be at or close to a record low now, as it is in many other countries as well, but the tragic truth is that Americans in general are currently drowning in the bottom of the bottle and paying a heavy price for it.
According to a recent article, there are indeed several proven strategies that can be implemented at federal, state, and local levels to help stem the tide and get a handle on America's drinking problem. We KNOW how to do it, and have known for decades now. And while they may not necessarily get at all of the deepest root causes, they are still known to work quite well in the meantime regardless:
- Raising alcohol taxes
- Restricting the number/density of alcohol outlets and/or the hours/days of sale
- Improving access to treatment
- Bolstering coping skills
And while the first two get the most "bang for the buck" in terms of cost-effectiveness, they are unfortunately a relatively tough sell in some places. Nevertheless, all four of these strategies should be implemented yesterday--if only our "leaders" would have the intestinal fortitude to do so.
Notice also that there was no mention of the 21 drinking age in the article. And that is probably because after maintaining such ridiculous and ageist laws in all 50 states and DC for at least three decades now, the supposed benefits of such laws are ringing more hollow than ever. And if anything, it is becoming increasingly crystal clear now that the 21 drinking age is doing more harm than good by merely forcing young adult drinking underground and kicking the proverbial can down the road.
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ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading my book about abolishing the drinking age. The American system is a real insult to a good cause.
I'm from the UK, but I believe this battle is global.
Just a few words of support. The question is, what should people DO?
You could learn from what I am doing here in the UK. My message to people is simple: If someone asks you for an ID when you buy alcohol, JUST LEAVE THE MONEY ON THE COUNTER AND WALK OUT WITH THE DRINK. Whether you could do this without the Ideological Police coming after you will depend on what state you're in. You will know your state and how pervasive the Gestapos are. Careful, be prudent.
Smart and subtle does it, that is my philosophy.
In the UK, the authorities have had their sense of control weakened by Brexit. This has made more daring methods possible here.
There are other things you can do that are legal. For example, people need to make their own alcohol. This should be done chiefly on environmental grounds. It will also reduce the state's ability to regulate alcohol and control it's supply if everyone makes it at home.
It's important that people let the statists know what they think: Write letters.
Statists are far more afraid of the book than they are of the bottle. They don't really want people to think for themselves. To be honest, they'd rather young people drink, than think for themselves and question things. I don't advocate that teenagers drink, as I believe this just plays into the statists' hands. Instead, I believe that people should 'starve the beast'.
Politically, left and right need to unite in favour of a less intrusive government. You have a new political party. But for a real sea-change to take place, one of the two main parties needs to die. The Republicans it seems to me, are just about maintaining a strong state in people's personal lives, while also pandering to big corporations. Stop voting for them. You may think that Conservatism means suspicion of big government. But so-called conservatives in America no longer think in this way. The Democrats, are at least progressive in a way. The Libertarian Party also isn't perfect, but at least they'd be a good start.
Regards,
Wayland
You're welcome, and thank you for your interest in Twenty-One Debunked as well as being a great ally in the movement to finally end the ageist abomination that is the 21 drinking age.
DeleteI have only read parts of your book on Google Books so far, as well as reviews and articles about it, and I must say that I am impressed from what I have read. Keep up the good work!
For the record, Twenty-One Debunked is perhaps a bit more pragmatic in that 1) we are fine with lowering the drinking age (as well as the smoking and toking ages) to 18 since it seems (mostly politically) impractical to completely abolish such age limits or lower them any further than 18 at this time in the USA, and 2) as for alcohol regulation other than the drinking age, we do not automatically oppose all of it, only insofar as such regulation is arbitrary and excessive or does more harm than good. We support higher alcohol taxes (which I know you agree with) and also support tougher DUI laws and enforcement as well.
DeleteAs for ID checks, while I used to get so enraged at the very idea when I was younger (I'm 34 now), I now kinda find them to be a bit flattering as time goes on, lol, and from an American perspective I would actually be thrilled if we only had a Challenge 21 or Challenge 25 (with a drinking age of 18) instead of an actual 21 drinking age. Right now in the states where the tobacco age is still 18 for now, they are required to ID anyone who looks under 27 or even 30. That would take at least some of the wind out of the sails of those pro-21 folks who claim (with a straight face) that the drinking age must be 21 so as to keep people under 18 who look older from "passing" as over 18 and buying booze.
(That momemnt when you realize that the USA, supposedly the "land of the free" in theory, in is in fact ironically more Orwellian than the very country in which 1984 took place. And interestingly enough, the federal 21 drinking age was passed in the year--wait for it--1984.)
Hello Ajax,
DeleteChallenge 25 may not seem like a big deal to those who haven't experienced it. If you come to the UK, and you go into any supermarket, you will see what my issue is. The notices are absolutely ghastly and are really in your face.
I don't actually drink alcohol. I just believe that supermarkets should be pleasant places, not security checkpoints, and that adults in their 20s and 30s should not be treated like children.
I also understand that it's reasonable that if you're trying to run for office, you sometimes must advocate only moderate changes for now, at least openly.
I'm arguing that people should start doing things that will make the entire system unenforceable. See my earlier suggestions.
Regards,
Wayland
I dig what you are saying overall, Wayland. Here in the USA we have our own version of "Challenge 25" (more like 27 or 30) called "We Card" and "21 Means 21" and there are such ghastly signs everywhere. Maybe there are fewer and/or smaller signs compared with the UK (I have never been there myself), but we certainly have them, and I have never particularly liked them one bit. I do agree that they should at least scale it back or soften the tone, as it currently seems to provoke reactance theory.
DeleteThanks again for your interest in Twenty-One Debunked, and keep on fighting the good fight on both sides of the proverbial pond.
Ajax the Great
Hello Ajax,
DeleteI'm not contesting that you have Challenge 25-type notices in your country as well. I've seen pictures of them. We should not be wasting our energies arguing about which country is worse. Rather, we should share ideas about how we can bring about change in both our countries.
Waiting for politicians to solve the issue isn't sufficient. I'm arguing that people need to start doing things. I believe I made some suggestions earlier.
What you must understand is that statists are about power and control. They do not care about your health or the health of the young.
A few questions if I may. Do you drink? If so, do you buy your alcohol from the shops or do you make your own?
I argue that you shouldn't drink, for health reasons if anything. But you also just play into the hands of the statists when you do. They want you to drink, and to carry an ID card.
In particular, they want those aged 21 and over to drink. The law makes alcohol more attractive, and they know this.
They don't really want young people not to drink either. They may start to think clearly, and think for themselves. Statists hate it when people think for themselves.
If you do drink, you should make your own alcohol and not buy it from the shops. But ideally, you shouldn't drink.
Rather than play into their hands, we should be doing things that undermine the statists and make things difficult for them.
For example, when the gestapos (as I call them) 'bust' a teenage party, it's not the drinking they're really against, it's the partying.
Thus, we should still have parties for our kids, but just not serve alcohol. So that when the gestapos are called to the scene, it will cause them embarrassment when they can't find any alcohol.
Consider another tactic, called 'water faking', which involves drinking water from, say, a vodka bottle. Those aged under 21 should consider doing more of this sort of thing, again to cause the gestapos embarrassment. to waste their time, and to make the whole system generally unworkable.
Regards,
Wayland
To answer your question, I myself do drink, and I buy my alcohol from stores like most drinkers do. I believe that alcohol in moderation can be healthy or at least not particularly dangerous, as long as one doesn't drive, operate machinery, or otherwise do anything stupid about it while under the influence. Just my $0.02 (or perhaps £0.01, lol).
DeleteIt is true though that the statists want to keep the masses stupefied and quiescent with cheap booze, and like using it as an excuse for heavy-handed Gestapo-like tactics. Making things extra difficult for them like you say probably would have a much larger effect than even a Whiskey Rebellion 2.0. Food for thought.
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ReplyDeleteAjax,
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading my replies. You responses are greatly appreciated.
Maybe you will consider adopting some of my suggestions as part of your 'Proposal'.
If you have any objections to my ideas, I'd welcome your criticism. Feel free to comment.
Will keep in touch. (My email is wjellis8@gmail.com)
Wayland
You're very welcome.
DeleteYou're very welcome. Please feel free to comment on any of my other posts as you see fit. And don't forget to check out another, more political blog of mine as well, the True Spirit of America Party. http://truespiritofamericaparty.blogspot.com
Delete