Originally Posted by Dovster
While you are theoretically correct (New York, for example, had a drinking age of 18 while I was growing up) I think that about 10 or 20 years ago federal funding for highways became dependant on the recipient states setting a minimum drinking age of 21. As all states want this funding, they were left with no real choice.
That is what I remeber as well. Vt was 18, NH 20 and I well needeless to say we used to drive from NH to VT to drink....
The same went for the speedlimit of 55, thank you Elizabeth Dole.... However, the states baulked and I think some sued the federal gov and won. I don't remember but I think Congress finally gave States the rights to set their own speed limits.... wonder why they don't do the same with drinking...