Should Prostitution be Legal? Take the Poll!

[Dan And Jennifer]

Prostitution and Political Sex Scandals A major scandal rocked our nation when it was publicly announced that Deborah Jeane Palfrey operated an escort / prostitution service in Washington D.C. Wow, imagine that. She provided a service that people were seeking, employed women who were seeking employment, paid these women well and [...]

Take the poll!

Should Prostitution be Legal?

Then check out the article that started it all here: Should Prostitution be Legal?

[SHANEOLA]

If two things, sex and exchanging money, are legal when done seperately, then it is hard to justify them being a serious crime when done together. I believe the moral high ground is recognizing the horrible effects of prostitution being outlawed. It puts the life of the prostitute at risk. Were it taxed and regulated, all would be better off (except for the pimp). To think we can stop the oldest profession is so naive!

[Dan And Jennifer]

Exactly. The pimp industry would take a serious hit, they'd have to enter the traditional service sector, perhaps go back to school and bone up on hospitality management.

Of course then you'd be on a roll and might as well legalize drugs, but I don't know... that that would seriously jeopardize the gang warfare industry, and would seriously eat into the DEA's budget... plus they wouldn't' be able to [unconstitutionally] seize property from people anymore. Like everything else, black markets can be very profitable, but with very few winners.

Check out the recent discussion we had on legalizing prostitution: Brothel Bus Busted in Miami - Yet Another Reason Why Prostitution Should be Legal

Yeah, I got on my soapbox... we try to stay away from politics, but it's life I guess.

Dan

[Brock]

Should it be legalized? Well, it hasn't hurt anything in Nevada, and other places in the world. If legalized, it can be regulated. Mandatory STD screening, eliminating the criminal elements (pimps, drugs, etc,) efforts leading to the elimination of the sex slave trade (yes, there is still slavery in the world,) and taxed (ok, maybe not an improvement for the profession.)

Personally, I wouldn't be a customer; I prefer a lover to a sex partner. But, other people will be willing to frequent such services regardless of legality. Let's apply some common sense to the problem and keep people from killing themselves and others.

Last thought on the topic, a quote by my favorite author Robert Heinlein:

"A whore should be judged by the same criteria as other professionals offering services for pay -- such as dentists, lawyers, hairdressers, physicians, plumbers, etc. Is she professionally competent? Does she give good measure? Is she honest with her clients?

"It is possible that the percentage of honest and competent whores is higher than that of plumbers and much higher than that of lawyers. And enormously higher than that of professors."

[Exavion]

Of course it should be legal.

In the infamous words of the great George Carlin: "Selling is legal, fucking is legal, so why isn't selling fucking legal?"

[Dan And Jennifer]

Originally Posted by Exavion

Of course it should be legal.

In the infamous words of the great George Carlin: "Selling is legal, fucking is legal, so why isn't selling fucking legal?"

Well said indeed! If anyone missed it, check out the Forum thread where we posted the George Carlin. It even kept my attention (Dan) and that is no small feat indeed; well worth watching.

[yesvirginia]

I agree with Brock. As long as the men and women providing the service as well as those supporting it are doing so by their own will, I see no problem with it. I personally would never support such an industry, but I understand why someone would and its no business of mine to tell people what to do with their money and sex life.

Certainly, no one wants hookers in their back yard or on their street corner (atleast most people I know lol), but I think its something that could be zoned, just like every other industry in this country.

Like Brock said, this way the "service providers" could be screened to make sure that they're clean from disease, which would help stop the spread of AIDS/HIV, especially in the LGBT community, where "unclean" prostitution is becoming an increasingly large problem.

I think most people would find that their communities and lives wouldn't be changed at all by the legalization of prostitution. Prostitutes' lives would be improved because it would be much safer, and pimps would become much less successful because people would no longer need to go to shady places and deal with shady people.

[GeekyJenn]

I guess part of me is weird on this issue: mostly because prostitutes, in the sense of "street walkers" usually just make me feel some pity. most of those women are not in good situations.

BUT, as Brothels are legal in Nevada, I have no problem with that. Or even Escort Services. They are a legitimate set up for the sake of safety of their girls (maybe even guys... i haven't actually been to a brothel) and customers. If things are agreed upon, and nobody gets hurt in any way (unless they are masochistic or heavily B&D or something else), I don't see why they shouldn't have their practices and not be harrassed.

I guess where I get flustered would be if my husband/guy goes to one without my knowledge. Especially when I'm more than willing to try most things, dress any way or anything. Although I get "Variety is the Spice of Life", I don't want to have that type of betrayal. In the sense of politics or using such businesses in ways, I think politicians make mountains out of mole hills in most cases. Even in nevada if politician is known about brothels, they get in political crapola. I guess if they are being unfaithful to their wives, at least in the respect they are doing so in secrecy, then they are dooming themselves to their own political crash.

Althought, With the whole Elliot Spitzer thing, I found the whole situation ironic. Since he was the hard core "clean up" guy in NYC, there he was with the very people he was putting in jail for such activities. So, I have no sympathy for the guy. As for other "escorts", I haven't had any problems with such political issues. I just wish politicians would be honest, which will never happen, and try to stick to more important issues.

Maybe I should go check out a Brothel. Although, Contrary to popular belief and the whole idea of "Sin City", the entire of Clark County (where Las Vegas resides) has made prostitution illegal. No brothels are found in the cities.. I am sure thre are "special services" at other places. There have been crack downs on such places, like massage parlors, strip clubs, etc. Isn't that a bit Ironic?

[keeef]

Here is a list of Mafia owned businesses which use captive prostitutes on a large scale & get away with it. Punishing them for seeking help by using them in exreme internet porn such as bestiality sites etc. If prostitution was outlawed it would be a less profitable business for them. http://s216605257.websitehome.co.uk/traffick1.html

[jeanintro*quitex]

I have nothing else to add than my support to the first responses of this thread. Yes I am all for it.