When it comes to the laws against prostitution, anti-sex moralism, enforced arbitrarily and often vindictively and corruptly by the state, is the order of the day. But in a free society why shouldn't adults be able to enter into these transactions? How many more lives and careers must be ruined until Americans (probably on a state by state level) at long last decriminalize consenting sexual relations between adults that involve an exchange of filthy lucre (as opposed to perfectly legal exchanges of expensive gifts and such)?
The State as Enforcer of Sexual Morality
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11 Comments for “The State as Enforcer of Sexual Morality”
posted by Bobby on
The state is in the business of collecting fines, that’s why they persecute prostitutes so thoroughly, even the ones advertising on craiglist.
Unfortunately, the laws aren’t going to change unless a John or a prostitute brings a lawsuit all the way up to SCOTUS.
Still, this is a losing issue, democrats tend to see female prostitutes as poor victims and social conservatives tend to oppose them on moral grounds.
posted by Brian Miller on
This is another class of victimless “crimes” that we can thank the Republicrats for creating and enforcing with a bloated “law enforcement” bureaucracy that studiously avoids real crime.
posted by Ted B. on
…”This is another class of victimless “crimes” that we can thank the Republicrats for creating and enforcing with a bloated “law enforcement” bureaucracy that studiously avoids real crime.”….
I fail to see how this is the Republicans’ fault? Prostitution has been illegal for hundreds of years. Stop blaming the GOP for all your perceived “evils” in teh World. If you don’t like things that way they are, stop bitching and get out there and do something….
posted by Bobby on
He said “republicrats,” I think he’s including democrats in that group as well.
And I have to agree. Neither party has done anything to legalize prostitution. It’s similar to the issue of raising the drinking age from 18 to 21. Politicians say they care about the youth, but I’ve yet to see any politician offering to lower the drinking age.
Besides, the problem is not the federal government, prostitution isn’t a federal crime, the problem is individual states. At least in Nevada they have legalize it in certain areas.
I also oppose labelling people who hire hookers are sex offenders, which some states do.
posted by Greg Capaldini on
I’m wondering if anti-prostitution laws are sometimes utilized to prosecute known criminals who previously have eluded law enforcement. I’m thinking of the tax-evasion convictions of Al Capone and other known gangsters prior to RICO statutes as a comparison. I certainly recognize the potential for abuse and corruption, and I defer to experts in this field. What say you?
posted by Brian Miller on
I fail to see how this is the Republicans’ fault?
Republicans and Democrats worked together to build the present victimless crime laws. They put in mandatory minimum sentences for drug use, created (and strengthened) “sodomy laws,” increased penalties for prostitution on both sides of the transaction, and created the “sex offender registries” that condemn individuals convicted of voluntary sex transactions (or voluntary sex with a member of the same gender up until the Lawrence ruling) to an eternity as an outcast.
posted by ETJB on
Neither political party is likely going to endorse the legalization of adult prostitution.
I doubt most voting Americans would support it, much less the idea of being in a ‘red light’ district.
Remember that prostitutes often do not start exchanging sex for money as adults, and often have little or no choice in the matter.
posted by Bobby on
“anti-prostitution laws are sometimes utilized to prosecute known criminals who previously have eluded law enforcement”
—I doubt that, those laws aren’t strong enough to give the perps long sentences. Al Capone got fucked by tax evasion, not prostitution.
The system has plenty of traps. A friend of mine got to tickets recently. One for driving his motorcycle between cars (which is illegal in Florida), the other for not wearing a helmet without insurance. In Florida, you don’t need insurance to drive a motorcycle, but if you choose not to wear a helmet, then you need insurance. So much for freedom, right?
“Remember that prostitutes often do not start exchanging sex for money as adults, and often have little or no choice in the matter.”
—That’s a stereotype, there’s plenty of people who grew up like everyone else, some even went to college, and got tired of making little money. There’s college students with bills to pay, women with families to feed, others who like lots of sex, etc.
Female prostitutes charge huge ammounts of money, from $100 all the way up to $1000. Let’s say a hooker charges $300. With 10 clients she has made my monthly salary after taxes. There’s many prostitutes making $60,000 to $150,000 a year.
“I doubt most voting Americans would support it, much less the idea of being in a ‘red light’ district.’
—Yet I would think most Americans support stripper bars and porn stores as long as they’re not in their neighborhoods. And some strippers do give handjobs and go beyond that in the champagne room. Then we have the bathhouses where I’m sure some of those guys might be willing to prostitute themselves.
posted by Brian Miller on
Remember that prostitutes often do not start exchanging sex for money as adults, and often have little or no choice in the matter.
Assuming this is true — a big leap in and of itself — why advocate a system that further punishes the helpless victim?
And why aren’t prosperous Democrats who are “concerned” about the involuntary prostitution funding charities and outreach to help them get out of their situation?
Why do those things, I guess, when you can just create another big-government socialist program and designate the so-called victims as criminal sex offenders instead. . . typical Democratic “thinking” I suppose.
posted by marc on
If Nevada can use its brains to get money off the “world’s oldest profession,” then surely other states can see the value in doing it. Maybe not. Most objections to prostitution come from the same source as gays – moral issues inspired by the Bible. Dems and Repubs are both spouting religion in their campaigns now, and it is unlikely either would touch the issue. Maybe it will take half the members of Congress – not just a Repub in Florida — to be found on a Madam’s call list before we will understand the hypocricy of all of this.
posted by Bobby on
Marc, don’t blame the bible. Prostitution is illegal in Cuba, the former USSR, Vienam and China. All of these are countries without an official religion.