I recently had a bit of a debate on www.usmessageboard.com. Here's how it goes:

[QUOTE]
Originally Posted by TeachMe
I'd say raise the drinking age. We need things to look forward to after the age of 21. The only other rite of passage in your entire American life will be retirement, and that just makes you feel old. We need to find more ways to give more things to you and let you do more things in between voting and retirement.
[/QUOTE]

[RESPONSE]
I hope you're kidding. Civil liberties is not the right place to start with "for the good of society" judgements. I don't think most 21yr olds are responsible enough to drink, vote, or live on their own. However, the law should not punish everyone for the few.

There is a quote that applies here: "It is better that ten guilty persons escape than one innocent suffer." - Sir William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England

This is still fundamentally the basis for American law. Honestly, I think alcohol, as a drug, should not be allowed in public, same with cigarettes and all other drugs/narcotics. However, all of them should be allowed on private property.
[/RESPONSE]

I am harshly liberal when it comes to civil liberties and constitutional rights. I can understand that drinking in public, using cocaine while driving, or smoking around minors or in restaurants violates the liberties of others. I cannot, however, sit back and watch as my rights to do what I please with my own body on my private property are stripped away. I agree with a minimum age for these things, simply because at this age, many are mature enough to know that abuse or overuse can permanently destroy their lives. I also agree, that many 18yr olds are not up to that challenge. However (there are many "however's" in this type of argument), there are many 16yr olds I know that are more mature and able to vote and take care of themselves when compared to plenty of 25yr olds out there. 18 is a happy medium and good compromise. They should not punish the many responsible, legal adults because of the indiscretions of a few. Simply crack down harshly on public drunkeness, or ban public usage all together, but don't touch my private life or private property; this is not an issue of eminent domain.