Two Laws to Dislike

For me the laws that affect my life are ones that contribute to daily activities. Laws pertaining to social settings and travel have constrained me in the past, and still do today. In particular, I have noticed that the most annoying laws are airport security laws, and the absurdly high drinking age in the United States.

Travel security has been affected greatly after the attacks on September 11, 2001. The laws on what you can bring on the plane have become much more strict, and have made packing a bit of a nuisance. I have found myself at the front of the line of security when I realize that I have something on my person that I cannot have on the other side of security. This bothers me, because it creates a restriction on what I can have when I go on vacation. But, I do see the value in protecting the passengers from anything that might warrant an attack on the plane. It would be so easy for someone to pack something lethal in a carry on. Having strict measures allows for the highest safety of people on board planes. So, I agree with having the law in place.

The second law that I find constraining is the legal drinking age in the United States. I am currently 22, so I am able to legally drink at bars and restaurants. Yet, I still find it annoying that we have such a high age limit on who can drink. When I studied abroad in Brussels, I noticed no difference in the people when it came to their drinking habits. Young adults were not acting out of order at bars, and it made me think about the United States drinking age, and some of our other rules limiting activity based on age. It is astounding that we let people drive cars when they are 16, but make them wait an additional 5 years before they can drink. In my mindset the two age limits should be reversed. I think it would be better for individuals to be able to legally drink at a younger age because then they can learn how to be more responsible with alcohol. I think it is completely backwards to give someone the right to a car before they learn how to handle alcohol more responsibly.

Both laws have been constraining in the past, and will be a nuisance for years to come. I do see the value in protecting passengers on flight even if it adds inefficiency and wasted time. But, I do not see the value in having a drinking age of 21.