Let Me Vote Drunk An American citizen can be drafted at 18 and sent to war, but cannot buy a drink in a bar, a US citizen at 18 can vote, but cannot buy alcohol at their local grocery store. Dangerous long-term consequences could result from lowering the drinking age. In the first article written by John M. McCardell Jr., vice chancellor and president of Southern University in Sewanee, Tennessee, expressed his opinion. This article is entitled “Let them drink at 18, with a learner's permit”. It assesses the power of today's drinking age and offers a solution to educate young adults to drink and act responsibly. In the second article written by Dr. Deni Carise, a deputy clinical director at CRC Health Group expressed her opinion. This article is titled "Defending the Drinking Age", but Carise is against lowering the drinking age and does not think binge drinking should be compared to excessive driving. This argument is important because some believe the minimum legal drinking age should be lowered, while others oppose lowering it from 21 to a younger age. However, the authors explain and provide evidence on why lowering the age should and should not happen, but authors McCardell and Carise have a common thought that banning is not the solution . I will explain binge drinking, binge drinking, and health issues. In the first disagreement, McCardell states that drinking too much alcohol in a short period of time is as common today as it was before increasing age. Since the law changed in 1984, fewer young adults are drinking alcohol (of course, under current law none should), but 45% of those who do drink drink to excess... .. middle of paper... ...t Carise disagrees, but both authors agree that banning is not the solution. Even though the two authors have different views on lowering the age from 21 to a younger age, there are many common points of compromise between the two authors and both can agree that what needs to be done something to educate young people about the responsibilities of drinking alcohol. Young adults at least 18 years old are likely to drink more than young adults over 18 years old (Dee and Evans). Excessive driving, physical fights, poor academic performance, sexual activity, and smoking are primarily all problems associated with alcohol consumption (CDC). Teenage drinking is not something cool just to fit in with a group of friends or people. When you decide to hit the road, think before you act. Is drinking under the influence worth risking the lives of innocent people, yours and also that of your entire future ??