Some interesting legislation is being considered in Wisconsin. The issue is about whether parents should be allowed to have their children have an alcoholic drink with them in public. To summarize the current law: children under the age of 21 are allowed to drink alcohol in licensed facilities when accompanied by a parent or guardian. In the proposed legislation parents would be restricted in waiting until their children are 18 years of age. Isn’t this legislation opening up the proverbial “can of worms?”

While I personally would not take a 15 year old into a bar, I would not object to him/her having a small glass of wine with dinner at a nice restaurant. What better way to learn responsible drinking than to have it with food while with parents?

If bar owners don’t want people under 21 in their bar, why not post a sign to that effect?

As far as Wisconsin having an image of binge drinking and drunk driving, I believe that the proposed legislation is inadequate to help with that irresponsible drinking. Perhaps more time should be spent in legalizing roadside police checkpoints and making drunk driving a felony the first time. There should be serious consequences for binge drinking and drunk driving.

Responsible parenting includes teaching both the dangers and benefits of alcohol. Responsible government? Really, what’s that?

Cheers, Kathy