(12-27-2019, 07:35 PM)flsprtsgod Wrote:

(12-27-2019, 07:21 PM)jagibelieve Wrote: I agree for the most part.  I think an exception should be made for military members though.  I can remember back when I served there being "beer machines" (pretty much like a soda machine) as well as cigarette machines in the barracks areas.  Before my time the "MRE's" (called C-Rations) used to include a cigarette and matches.


While I don't advocate smoking cigarettes (I was addicted for many years) I feel that anyone old enough to serve our country should be able to choose whether or not he/she wants to smoke or drink.  I also think that they should be afforded the privilege to vote (voting is not a "right").

I dont think your right to engage in commercial transactions should be tied to your occupation.

You know what?  Upon thinking about this further I think that you are right.  The "normal" thought is that when a child reaches the age of 18 they are all of the sudden an "adult".  That might have been true in earlier times, but in today's world I question whether or not a 21 year old is an "adult".  I think it's pretty rare nowadays to see an 18 year old that is "adult".

As much as I hate to say it, I think that the minimum age to join the military should be raised to 21.  From what I see every day working with the military, young members (basically under 21) are not nearly as responsible as they were when I served.  If I look back to generations before me, 16 year old's were much more responsible than many of today's 21 year old's.

Of course, in an ideal world there would be no government restrictions and we would let natural selection take it's course.

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