Should Prostitution be Legalized?

[IA951]

why not?

why the hell not?

To be honest I don't really have that much of an opinon.
As long as they made weed legal, go nuts! open brothels everywhere!

Here's something to think about:
if prostitution had been legal all along maybe I would not have became a misognyst.

 

[RisiaSkye]

I'm with George Carlin on this one:
Fucking is legal. Selling is legal. Why is it illegal to sell fucking? Why is it illegal to sell something it's perfectly legal to give away?

BTW, lav, not all third-wave feminists are against prostitution, porn, or the sex industry. As I'm sure you probably know, sex and the sex industry are two of the biggest places of divergence in the feminist camps.

Somebody bagged my copy, but there's a great essay collection from '98 or '99 called Global Sex Workers, which looks at sex-positive feminist attempts to make the world's sex workers safer, healthier, and more in control of their own bodies and industry. Also, the book Sex & Sensibiilty: Reflections in Forbidden Mirrors and the Will to Censor takes a good close look at the hideous alliance between far-left feminists and far-right censors in the anti-porn crusades. Fascinating, if deeply aggravating, reading. That's me, one big bibliography.
Sexologist and former prostitute Carol Queen's essay collection Real. Live. Nude. Girls also has some fascinating essays on the subject. As a child of the seventies' movements, and a sex worker for many years, she has some very key insights into the ironies of anti-sex-worker sentiments among "mainstream" feminists--you know, babes like MacKinnon & Dworkin.

 

[lavender]

 

[Rhys]

If I am not mistaken, prostituion is legal in some small pockets of the country , correct? I thought that Las Vegas

NO!!! Prostitution is not Legal in Clark County!!!(Las Vegas)
Prostitution is legal in Nye County...over the hump to Pahrump and Crystal NV. That is where the legal brothels are located.

Never been out there myself, but know people who have. They tell me the experience varies. I know the woman out there are required by the state to have weekly medical exams and monthly HIV testing. I also understand that the women make good money and its taxable income.

Personally, I think it should be legalized, taxed, and dealt with like everything else without a social stigma. Its a service...period end of story.
Unfortunately, there are those who thrive on the more unsavory aspects...the cheap thrill of picking up a hooker. These stupid fucks deserve whatever disease they contract in my book. And believe me, there are a few of these idiots belly up to the bar at the MGM Grand tonight (a notorious place to find the nightcrawlers)

But, like everything else, to examine, license, and create social programs for, prostitution costs money. It costs more money in the long run to police and bust the illegals, but the good God fearing citizens of Middle America don't see it that way. I think it will eventually happen...because gambling didn't used to exist outside of Atlantic City and Las Vegas...but look at the number of gaming localities that have sprung up in this country over the last ten years. But it has taken Las Vegas a good 25 years to separate itself from the Mob image it once had. It will take longer for the Puritian mentality of this country to break down enough to accept such an idea widespread.


Hester Prynne...paging Hester Prynne...your party is waiting in The Copa Room...

 

[The_old_man]

An old conundrum riddle:
What is the difference between a wife, a mistress, and a prostitute?

A wife is a partner.
A mistress is on salery.
A prostitute works piece rate.


Hell yes to legalisation. IMHO prostitution, drugs, and gambling should ALL be legal!

In the late teens our government gave in to the WCTU and Finaly realised thier mistake in thirty-three. The result was the increase in criminal influance over polititions.

After congress repealed proabition they were conned into the "Controled substances act."
They STILL haven't realised how stupid it is.

 

[Ishmael]

logic

I'm with George Carlin on this one:
Fucking is legal. Selling is legal. Why is it illegal to sell fucking? Why is it illegal to sell something it's perfectly legal to give away?

BTW, lav, not all third-wave feminists are against prostitution, porn, or the sex industry. As I'm sure you probably know, sex and the sex industry are two of the biggest places of divergence in the feminist camps.

Somebody bagged my copy, but there's a great essay collection from '98 or '99 called Global Sex Workers, which looks at sex-positive feminist attempts to make the world's sex workers safer, healthier, and more in control of their own bodies and industry. Also, the book Sex & Sensibiilty: Reflections in Forbidden Mirrors and the Will to Censor takes a good close look at the hideous alliance between far-left feminists and far-right censors in the anti-porn crusades. Fascinating, if deeply aggravating, reading. That's me, one big bibliography.
Sexologist and former prostitute Carol Queen's essay collection Real. Live. Nude. Girls also has some fascinating essays on the subject. As a child of the seventies' movements, and a sex worker for many years, she has some very key insights into the ironies of anti-sex-worker sentiments among "mainstream" feminists--you know, babes like MacKinnon & Dworkin.

For crying out loud Risia, you took a perfectly logical argument and muddied it up with all that feminist bull shit. What the fuck is that?

In a free society, one may do as they wish as long as there are no 'direct' consequences to others. The argument agianst prostitution was from wives (who mostly didn't take care of their men). The latter day argument was that there was a public health hazard. Totally ignoring the fact that prostitution still exists.

Your search for 'connections' is tenuous at best. And in the end, who cares?

The law of supply and demand are still paramount in the affiars of humans. There is no legislation that will stop any activity that man ( as a specie) desires to engage in, and no punishment to severe.

Your background may be law (for all I know) but it sounds to me as if your building a case for something that even the poorest slob understands. And that is this: Morality laws don't work." Never have, never will.

Point in case, Phillip the second of Macedonia was faced with a crisis. All the men were away at war and the women turned to one another for 'solace'. The birth rate was such that there was no hope of sustaining the country. He made heterosexual contact against the law. Whallllllllaaaaahhhhhh, the birth rate went up. (He never enforced the law.)

The law is a powerful tool. The enforcement, or lack thereof is justice. And a law without justice is a joke. We, as a nation, have turned our back on our common law ancestory and have begun to embrace 'Roman' law. It will be the downfall of the Republic.

Ishmael

 

[sch00lteacher]

Yes.

I have spent too much time in countries where it is. Seen it in action. Never partook.

 

[riff]

Prostitution should be legal.
Marijuana should be legal.

Alcohol is legal. Porn is legal.

America, as much as I love her, has her head up her ass with regard to these issues.

I don't see where Nevada has problems with it. I am sure many people in Nevada would like to see it stay the way it is. Those tourists have money.

Prostitution is, as I understand it, legal in Nevada by county and is illegal in Las Vegas (one of the most wonderful cities in the world IHO).

Legalize it, don't criticize it.

 

[Goldfrapp er]

Legalize and unionize. Tax.
Health and safety are both major issues that are overlooked with great abandon right now.

I agree it shouldn't be stigmatized, but it also shouldn't be glamourized.

No issue is ever so simple as right or wrong is it?

 

[Unclebill]

Re: logic

Prostitution is a political crime as is gambling, drug use, possession or sale. And political crimes are a distinct earmark of a tyrannical government.

Originally posted by Ishmael
. . . In a free society, one may do as they wish as long as there are no 'direct' consequences to others. . .

I'm curious as to your meaning of 'direct consequences to others'. I can think of situations where perfectly legtimate and morals actions of one person have direct and even negative impact on others. The following link gives some examples.
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/williams010202.asp

 

[Guest]

As a sidenote, do you believe that prostitution in its American form truly contradicts principles of feminism?

I've always thought prostitution should be legalized, as should drugs of choice. I don't do either, so it's not for personal gain, just stupid federalization.

HOORAY FOR FREE SPEECH!

Moon

 

[Sillyman]

I've always thought prostitution should be legal, regulated, and taxed. I think there is some good money there. Gambling too. A lot of stuff could be a goldmine to the government if they would just legalize and tax it.

 

[Private Vasquez]

Only if I get a cut of the money....

 

[koalabear]

Leagalize it and Sin Tax it. Then of course you would have to have Priests pay a Sin Tax too.

 

[Synnerman]

As usual we are trying to understand a complex problem using simple tools.
Years ago I worked for a corp. which employed "sales consultants". Their job was to act
as escorts for mostly out of towners doing business with our company.
It was understood that they were at the disposal of the client in every way. From
afternoon luncheons to midnight "meetings".
We hired only the most beautiful and most talented. They were no more than high paid
prostitutes. They were on salary and were prohibited from accepting tips from our clients.
No moonlighting either. We valued the people in that department highly. I say people
because there was at all times two men in that department along with several women. We
even had a list of subs for conventions and such.

What I am getting at is Our ladies were meticulous in maters of health and hygiene,
personal grooming and all other aspects of interpersonal relations. Did they fuck the
clients? You bet, and very well at that. They were gainfully employed, Well paid by salary.
and enjoyed full company benefits.

The subs would talk and try for full time positions. I heard many of the horror stories of
the streets and hotel bar scene.

We employed what has been referred to as whores. That is what their job was. But
nobody called them whores and I can't believe that is an accurate portrait of them.

Yes, legalize, or more correctly, decriminalize prostitution. We can make it an acceptable
profession. We don't need to impose special taxes. Their paying income tax alone would
boost the state and federal coffers. The money and resources not used by a by and large
ineffectual legal system would be available to fight real crime. And we could pull this so
called oldest profession in off the streets. Children could not be enslaved quite as easy
either.

Just another alternative thought.

 

[Synnerman]

BTW Prostitution is definately not the worlds oldest profession.
That statement can be proven.
It is not prostitution until money changes hands.
Money doesn't change hands until a sale is made.
Now, what really is the oldest profession?
Sales, of course.

Discuss that one with your favorite sales person at Gimbles.