Yesterday the Vermont State Senate considered Senate Resolution 17, relating to problems associated with underage consumption of alcohol.
The resolution, drafted by Vermont Democrats, was extremely pro-liberty in that it criticizes a “one sized fits all solution” and champions the states’ ability to deal with the issue of alcohol consumption differently. Vermonters have been debating lowering the drinking age from 21 to 18.
Since this was only a resolution, it will not change the law, however it will be forwarded to the Vermont congressional delegation because it passed by one vote! The resolution concludes, “[T]he Senate of the State of Vermont urges Congress to authorize the states to address the problems associated with underage consumption of alcohol by obtaining waivers from federal law to avoid triggering federal funding penalties.”
Vermont’s legislature is a lot like that of Massachusetts, with very few Republicans even existing. Many of Vermont’s Republicans tend to be more libertarian-leaning, which is evidenced by two Republicans voting with the 12 Democrats to pass the resolution by a single vote.
Senators Kevin J. Mullen and Vincent Illuzzi were the two courageous Republican lawmakers who voted with the Democrats.
Mullen is from Rutland, owns the Finger Lakes Drive-In, and has been a member of the Senate since 2003. Prior to that, he served in the Vermont House since 1999. He has held a plethora of different leadership positions in Rutland.
Vincent Illuzzi (pictured) has represented the Essex-Orleans Senate district since 1980. He was first elected at age 27, the youngest person to be elected at the time. He’s also the Essex County State’s Attorney.
Congrats to Senators Mullen and Illuzzi!
On April 29th, 2010 at 10:53 am
Do we not already have enough drunk drivers on the road, and dead teenagers who’ve killed people because they were DUI? Lowering the drinking age to 18 is without a doubt, the most irresponsible act I can think of.
On April 29th, 2010 at 3:03 pm
Most states in the nation adopted a minimum drinking age of 21 soon after federal passage of the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984, which required states to maintain a minimum drinking age of 21. Under the Federal Aid Highway Act, States were required to enforce the minimum drinking age of 18 in order to avoid a 10% reduction in federal highway funds. The original intention of the law was to reduce the incidents of alcohol-related accidents among people under 21. But since passage of this legislation, and the raising of the drinking age in many states, the percentage of people who drink between the ages of 18 to 20 has skyrocketed. Many say the prohibitions have actually encouraged secretive binge drinking, more dangerous behavior, and less educational programming targeting this age group. Respected law enforcement officials and university presidents have recently called for changes in the federal law to permit states to lower the drinking age.
At age 18, people are legal adults. As much as their parents may think otherwise, they are no longer children. They have the right to vote and help choose the President of the United States. They can go to war to defend our country, and they can legally purchase guns and cigarettes. It is absolutely absurd that they cannot have a beer or glass of wine without fear of possible arrest and prosecution.
It’s time for the nation to repeal these Prohibition-era laws and adopt a more intelligent, progressive, and educational approach to drinking among younger adults. These laws simply don’t work, they aren’t enforceable any longer, and if anything they are counterproductive. Literally millions of responsible young adults are already consuming alcohol and that’s not going to change. What we need to do is stop wasting the taxpayers money chasing, charging and prosecuting responsible young adults who want to have a beer, and start putting the money where it ought to be, in promoting smart education about responsible drinking, and in pursuing far more serious criminals, including those at all ages who drive under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
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Eric Paine
President & Founder
Drink At 18
http://drinkat18.com
On May 3rd, 2010 at 10:13 pm
Donna, you need to check out this website.
http://21debunked.blogspot.com/
Your comment is based on nothing but junk science. It doesn’t even pass the straight-face test.
On May 20th, 2010 at 7:58 am
You can go to war at 18 but cant drink till 21, change it to 18. Teens are still going to drink if they change it or not.