Rebuttal Essay on Needed: A License to Drink

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Rebuttal Essay on “Needed: A License to Drink”

“Needed: A License to Drink” is an essay written by Mike Brake. In this essay, Brake explains why he thinks people need a license to drink. He has had family members die from alcohol related events and believes they might still be alive if a license was required to drink. Alcohol is related to many deaths and alcoholism is a disease that affects many people. “It causes more than 19,000 auto fatalities each year, it is responsible for more than a third of deaths from drowning and fire” (Brake135). Brake mentions that doctors have to report certain sexually transmitted diseases. He think they should have to report alcoholism as well. Also, licenses for hunting, guns, and driving are required, so Brake believes a license for drinking should also be required. Brake believes, “licensing would act as a screen—preventing a small percentage of the misery up-front” (136). If there was a way to carry out his plan successfully, I would agree with his essay. However, it would be impossible to use Brake’s licensing plan and expect it to be successful. Brakes plan has flaws that have failed before. Doctors should not have to report alcoholism, and licenses would not prevent alcoholics from getting alcohol.

Brake’s Plan

First, people who want a license would have to study a written manual with facts about alcohol and the law (Brake 136). Next, they would have to be able to pass a written test. If someone gets in alcohol related trouble, the license would be taken away. If they do not have a license, they will have to receive treatment along with attending Alcoholics Anonymous (136).

Problems with the Plan

If everyone was willing to...

... middle of paper ...

...etting it.

Conclusion

Doctors should not have to report alcoholism because it is different from other diseases. Also, licenses would not prevent people from drinking because underage people and those without a license would still have ways to acquire alcohol. Brake’s plan would be great if everyone was to abide by it, but unfortunately it would be almost undoubtedly impossible to create a plan like his and expect it to be successful.

Works Cited

“Alcohol Prohibition Was A Failure.” Cato Institute. 2004 Cato Institute. 15 April 2004

http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-157.html >.

Brake, Mike. “Needed: A License to Drink” The Genre of Argument. Ed. Irene L. Clark.

Boston: Thomson-Heinle, 1998.

“Minors and Alcoholic Beverages.” State of Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division. 2003

15 April 2004< http://www.iowaabd.com/index.asp >.

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