Should prostitution be legalized and taxed?

[Anthony 78]

You sound a little naive. Just because the Feds don't publicly announce their support of prostitution, you better believe they love it behind closed doors.

 

The US Gov is probably the biggest whore house in the country. They make too much money off it as it stands, there is no way they legalize it and charge a fee that would end up being MUCH less than what they are making now.

 

This system is exactly the way the Government wants it. Illegal and frowned upon by society as they make bank by night.

 

It's the same reason weed will never be legalized. They just make too much damn money off of it right now to ever think about letting it become an acceptable part of society.

 

Prostitution is legal in parts of Nevada. When the owner of the Mustang Ranch was indicted for tax fraud, the government took over the joint and auctioned the whore house off to the highest bidder.

[WindyCitySports 407]

Let me start by saying that I was born into a devout Catholic family and that I attend Church every Sunday.

 

That being said, I support the legalization of both weed and prostitution. Do I believe prostitution is moral? No. Would I ever want a family member or a friend to be a prostitute? Of course not. In the end, it has to do with whether or not the government has the ability under the constitution to ban something for being immoral. I say no, they do not. As humans, I believe we are put on earth to do good deeds, and that will affect how God sees us. This is our own personal journey, and the Government has NO RIGHT to tell it's citizens that they can't do something simply because it's against the Church's laws. In the end, the people will be judged, and that is how it should be.

 

For example, if we're going to start making things that the Church is against illegal, we might as well make lying illegal, as it is in the Ten Commandments. I believe in a society in which the government's purpose is to protect people's rights and keep them safe, not tell th if something is immoral or not. That's for God to decide.

 

I haven't even mentioned how much money we could make if we taxed weed and prostitution. It wouldn't, of course, fix the debt problem, but it would do something. After all, the politicians don't seem to willing to do anything to fix it now anyway.

[Krawnka 282]

Bottom line for me is that the human body is a sacred thing, humans are not just another animal species, were different, and our bodies are special. They should be treated as such. And that's where I draw the line, once you ask me whether or not someone should be allowed to use there bodies as a way of making a prophet through sex, my answer will be no, it should NEVER come to that.

 

You bring up good points DMAC,there's good points on both sides of this argument.

 

In a perfect society, legalizing vices shouldn't be a problem; however the human condition is hardly the foundation for a perfect society...greed and corruption is the downfall of every thought out plan.

 

Legalizing prostitution would inevitably lead to organized crime and racketeering. In turn opening the flood gates on human trafficking and sexual slavery. The profits would go through the roof, and our corrupt politicians would be bought and sold, just as our sisters and daughters would be.

 

If someone is willing and able to use their body for profit, I, personally see no issue with that..but I'd bet that the majority of the industry, would be comprised of slaves, forced to do so against their will, or so drugged up, they don't even care.

 

This in turn would be like our government condoning the objectification of women...and turning a blind eye to the injustices implemented to maximize profit.

 

I do agree, that our government should have no business enforcing morality upon us (especially since they're the most immoral of us all) but they shouldn't be condoning immorality either. Just punishing those that commit violence upon others.

 

On the other hand, getting paid to fuck women, I think I'd be down for that....but I'd charge by the pound.

Edited September 2, 2011 by Krawnka

[DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241]

You sound a little naive. Just because the Feds don't publicly announce their support of prostitution, you better believe they love it behind closed doors.

 

The US Gov is probably the biggest whore house in the country. They make too much money off it as it stands, there is no way they legalize it and charge a fee that would end up being MUCH less than what they are making now.

 

This system is exactly the way the Government wants it. Illegal and frowned upon by society as they make bank by night.

 

It's the same reason weed will never be legalized. They just make too much damn money off of it right now to ever think about letting it become an acceptable part of society.

 

A lot of countries make a lot of profit over illegal things. African nations make millions off of conflict diamonds that they themselves have deemed illegal. That's not my point, my point is that legalizing it would allow the business of prostitution to increase. If the US decides to make a profit off of something that they deem illegal behind closed doors, while that might be bad, but it is what it is, but my whole point, is that as a nation, prostitution should not be legalized because the industry itself would grow.

 

You bring up good points DMAC,there's good points on both sides of this

In a perfect society, legalizing vices shouldn't be a problem; however the human condition is hardly the foundation for a perfect society...greed and corruption is the downfall of every thought out plan.

 

Legalizing prostitution would inevitably lead to organized crime and racketeering. In turn opening the flood gates on human trafficking and sexual slavery. The profits would go through the roof, and our corrupt politicians would be bought and sold, just as our sisters and daughters would be.

 

If someone is willing and able to use their body for profit, I, personally see no issue with that..but I'd bet that the majority of the industry, would be comprised of slaves, forced to do so against their will, or so drugged up, they don't even care.

 

This in turn would be like our government condoning the objectification of women...and turning a blind eye to the injustices implemented to maximize profit.

 

I do agree, that our government should have no business enforcing morality upon us (especially since they're the most immoral of us all) but they shouldn't be condoning immorality either. Just punishing those that commit violence upon others.

 

And that's another thing that I was gonna ask about, wouldn't legalizing it also increase that? Human slaves being used? If this goes legal, the amount of revenue the industry would make would be a lot.

 

You guys don't think that with how much revenue the industry would make, the USA would start turning a blind eye to the fact that this industry is enslaving people into this situation? They already turn there heads on a lot of corruption, and wrong things that industries such as banks do, what makes you guys think they wouldn't with this?

 

You pretty much summed up everything i've been saying in that last paragraph... The amount of corruption, immorality, that would come out of this would be nothing but bad imo.

Edited September 2, 2011 by DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F

[Anthony 78]

You guys don't think that with how much revenue the industry would make, the USA would start turning a blind eye to the fact that this industry is enslaving people into this situation? They already turn there heads on a lot of corruption, and wrong things that industries such as banks do, what makes you guys think they wouldn't with this?

 

I see it working opposite. What you have right now is sex slaves, underage girls, runaways, and girls with diseases walking the streets. The way it's set up in Nevada, it's monitored. There are consent forms, proof of age, testing for STDs. Legalized prostitution would drive the pimp and human trafficker off the street or at least drastically decrease the clientele, in very much the same way that the end of prohibition forced the mob to find another way to make money. If there is another entity interfering with the government's taxable product, you better believe the enforcement of illegal prostitution will elevate.

 

Illegal prostitutes are being taxed right now by their pimps. That's the only person making big money off of the world's oldest profession. The prostitute is not getting rich.

[GA_Eagle 595]

Yea Anthony's right. The Mob makes money off of vice crimes. Basically they provide and organize the illegal services that people are going to engage in no matter whether they are illegal or not. Drugs, prostitution and gambling are organized crime's big ticket items.

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

A lot of countries make a lot of profit over illegal things. African nations make millions off of conflict diamonds that they themselves have deemed illegal. That's not my point, my point is that legalizing it would allow the business of prostitution to increase. If the US decides to make a profit off of something that they deem illegal behind closed doors, while that might be bad, but it is what it is, but my whole point, is that as a nation, prostitution should not be legalized because the industry itself would grow.

 

You say prostitution is immoral... Yet it's okay that the government makes tens of millions a year on the very thing they have "poo poo'd" for so many years and throw people in jail for?

 

And yes, all nations and governments commit crimes. But Africa doesn't exactly keep it a secret as to what they do and how they do it. Almost the exact opposite as us (USA).

[NaTaS+ 958]

Of course it should be legalized. It's legal as long as there is a camera right? It's called porn. It's legal if you only buy the girl/guy a beer. it's called picking someone up. It's legal if you put a ring on it. It's called Marriage.

 

There is no reason two consenting adults should not be able to have sex. It's so draconian as to be laughable.

[PackIsBack 124]

I don't support the objectification of human beings through prostitution so I don't think the government should openly support this behavior by making a profit off of it. Perhaps they should put more effort into finding solutions for these individuals instead of throwing people into jail for it.

[danielR 0]

Agreed! I actually learned about it here: Germany installs prostitute street meters for sex tax. I think it would really be better than the traditional street-walking activities but it's still alarming in some ways that it could really encourage some to do it since it's legal already and the activity will be publicly displayed even to those young individuals with innocent mind that could possibly generate the idea in their minds that such thing is just fine. Can you just imagine what would possibly happen to the next generation with the present system?

[seanbrock 1,684]

I think so. You'll never be able to stop prostitution. It will always exist. Why not legalize and regulate it to make it safer for everyone involved? I mean, it would make the government money.

[oochymp 2,393]

People will always be killing each other, it's always happened and it will always continue to happen, so why should we waste time enforcing anti-murder laws? Do you know how much the government could save if we weren't out there enforcing these laws against an action that's never going to stop?

[seanbrock 1,684]

People will always be killing each other, it's always happened and it will always continue to happen, so why should we waste time enforcing anti-murder laws? Do you know how much the government could save if we weren't out there enforcing these laws against an action that's never going to stop?

Fair enough, but legalizing prostitution would do a lot prevent murders and violence.

[GA_Eagle 595]

People will always be killing each other, it's always happened and it will always continue to happen, so why should we waste time enforcing anti-murder laws? Do you know how much the government could save if we weren't out there enforcing these laws against an action that's never going to stop?

 

 

The victim of prostitution and the criminal are the same person. It's a little different than murder.

[funnygunny 521]

YES! TAX THEM ALL FOR HAVING LOOSE VAGINAS!

[oochymp 2,393]

Fair enough, but legalizing prostitution would do a lot prevent murders and violence.

that's interesting speculation, but I'm not sure I completely agree with it, do you have anything to back up that claim with?

 

The victim of prostitution and the criminal are the same person. It's a little different than murder.

Who is the victim of prostitution? I don't think you can really call someone who leaves the incident with a substantial amount of money a victim. Also, I want to make clear that I wasn't saying prostitution and murder were the same thing, I was just pointing out how ridiculous the argument structure is.

[Phins4life 271]

To the people with the moral objections, I ask again, who is truly being hurt by making the profession legal? If you find it repulsive, that's fine, but it's an argument that simply has no place in a debate over whether or not it should be legalized. It was generally legal in the US prior to the Prohibition Era, but along came people like the Women's Temperance Union, not liking the idea of women making money by satisfying one of the most basic human urges, and that influence eventually became widespread. Legal issues simply have to be analyzed from as objective a stance as possible, lest it be corrupted by personal opinion or belief. Why deny a man or woman the right to sell their body for a night if no one is going to get hurt, especially if they are good at it? How is prostitution any different from casual sex other than money, now that I think about it? As for trafficking dangers, I'm not focusing the argument on that because those will always be there. Alcohol and gun possession are both legal, despite the inherent dangers that come with the abuse of either. But I still believe that if woman had rights as prostitutes, it would hamper the black market sex trade...to what degree I have no idea.

 

As for objectifying the body, how many men on here pick up the Swimsuit edition to read the articles, critique the craftsmanship of the bikinis or admire the details in the bodypaint? How many people like Arianny Celeste because of how well she can hold up a number sign? How many people watch the Dallas Cowgirls because they love the timing of the choreography? How many girls would buy a type of cologne for their man if the ad had some average Joe instead of the usual guy with nice pecs and washboard abs? Let's be real...objectification of good looking men and women is everywhere. Everyone has that favorite actor/entertainer/athlete that they fantasize over. If you use objectification as an argument against prostitution, you should also be morally opposed to NFL cheerleaders, ring girls, the entire modelling industry, strippers, nude art/photography....you get the idea. Adding sex to the equation doesn't really make the issue much different from the others I just mentioned. They are all a means to an end. Prostitution is just more direct, and therefore more offensive in the eyes of a prudish society like ours.

[GA_Eagle 595]

Who is the victim of prostitution? I don't think you can really call someone who leaves the incident with a substantial amount of money a victim. Also, I want to make clear that I wasn't saying prostitution and murder were the same thing, I was just pointing out how ridiculous the argument structure is.

 

 

If its not the prostitute then who is it, I guess it could be the john? In the current system (excepting where it legal) in which prostitutes rights are not protected they are absolutely the victim. All vice crimes are basically this way (ie, victim and perp are the same person). That's why the victim in the court case is listed as the state it occurred in or, if its severe enough, the United States of America, because there is no victim in vice crimes, we are essentially protecting people from themselves, which is completely unneeded. Just another way the government tricks people into thinking we need to be protected by it.

 

Oh great now I'm starting to sound a little crazy.

Edited September 8, 2011 by GA_Eagle

[oochymp 2,393]

If its not the prostitute then who is it, I guess it could be the john? In the current system (excepting where it legal) in which prostitutes rights are not protected they are absolutely the victim. All vice crimes are basically this way (ie, victim and perp are the same person). That's why the victim in the court case is listed as the state it occurred in or, if its severe enough, the United States of America, because there is no victim in vice crimes, we are essentially protecting people from themselves, which is completely unneeded. Just another way the government tricks people into thinking we need to be protected by it.

 

Oh great now I'm starting to sound a little crazy.

I'm not sure what you're basing the prostitute being the victim on, the typical understand of this sort of 'victim-less' crime is that the victim is society at large either through general moral corruption or a disruption of the peace, laws aren't often passed to protect people from themselves.

 

I want to emphasize though that I'm not saying there is absolutely no justification for legalizing prostitution, and not even that I'm necessarily opposed to the idea (well, I am opposed to the idea of prostitution, but there are plenty of legal activities that I'm opposed to) I think Phins made a lot of good points, I just think the point that people are always going to do it is a horrible point for legalizing something and it's a point that's resorted to far too frequently.

[Krawnka 282]

I have no issues or objections of what happens between two consenting adults of sound mind and body.

 

 

That's assuming the world is perfect, and the only people involved are doing so willingly, and not hooked on drugs.

 

As brought up before, legalizing prostitution, will not only cause an inrush of prostitutes, but also an inrush of pimps, to take advantage of them...aside from the human trafficking/slavery aspect. Pimps absolutely victimize their stable.

 

I worked with a dude who pimped (according to him, he needed a legit source of income):

 

One of the crewmembers had a BD party at the hotel we worked out of, this guy brought over a couple "strippers", they danced naked for us in the hotel, and he offered them up to whoever wanted to pay to fuckem. At the end of the night, I personally watched these girls gather money up off of the floor, and hand it ALL to their pimp.

 

He was a nice enough dude, but those women didn't even look him in the eye, and didn't say a word, just did what he told them to do....there's got to be a pretty good explanation for that kind of subservient behavior..and it's probably not something Dr. Phil would agree upon.

 

I've also known a dude that got hooked on Heroin. (My ex's.. sister's ex boyfriend)....his dealer was a transvestite, and he actually admitted to doing gay shit with him/her to get fronted some smack.....I wouldn't be surprised if he's out there right now selling his ass for his pimp.

 

How would you like to get kidnapped and hooked on a drug, that could make you willing to do gay shit to keep your supply?

 

Is it "consentual"? I suppose it's how you look at it....

[blotsfan 2,112]

Pimps won't be necessary if prostitution is legal because whores could turn to the police if they get attacked or short-charged.

[Krawnka 282]

I suppose I'm overly pessimistic of the ideal.

 

I've been to "Saunas" (aka Whorehouse) in Scotland, and they were awesome...stop in, take a shower, get laid, take another shower, go about your business...the girls were there to please, and if the market was competitive, were willing to do things that may get you slapped by some chick you take home from the bar.

 

What happens if a working girl, gets fired, from a legitimate business, and all they know how to do is fuck for money?

 

They're going to freelance on the streets....who owns the streets...especially in neighborhoods that would tolerate a freelance working girl? Gangs do.

 

How long would you say a freelancer would last on the streets without some sort of "management"?

 

Gangs that run prostitution rings, also push drugs, I'd wager that the drugs, that they have ample supply of, are used as payment to their prostitutes.

 

In the end, a working girl complains about being treated "unfairly" at a whore house, they get kicked to the streets, a working girl that complains about their street management (pimp) gets something worse.

 

Human trafficking and slavery is a real thing, many young girls are smuggled here from Mexico and forced into servitude in Cantinas...some of them are even sold by their own family...and it's being "held in check" by the fact that it's illegal...(held in check, about as much as drugs currently are)....imagine if they lifted the veil and made it legal...

 

If these girls were to go to the cops now, they'd be saved...but many still do not, even when the cops go to these Cantinas to ask them...

Edited September 9, 2011 by Krawnka