View Poll Results: Should prostitution be legalized in the US?

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  • Yes

    9 37.50%
  • No

    15 62.50%

Thread: Should it be legalized - Part Deux

  1. #31
    Technical Lead QuantumPete's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by medievalelks View Post
    They'll have legal, lower priced competition.
    I think you will find that the illegal version of anything will always be cheaper. I don't see people paying $50 for a track on bittorrent anytime soon.

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  2. #32
    Devil's Advocate SlyMaelstrom's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by medievalelks View Post
    I don't know, but I have to ask if you had the same concern for young people forced into dealing drugs as a way of living in the other thread?
    Don't even compare the two... most of the supporters for legalization of marijuana in the other thread related it to the fact that there is taxable income to be made there. It's completely naive to think that because prostitution is made legal that a majority of it still won't be done under the table. Unlike marijuana the legalization of prostitution would not benefit the government (to any significant extent). The ends will simply not outweight the means.
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  3. #33
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    Quote Originally Posted by SlyMaelstrom View Post
    Don't even compare the two... most of the supporters for legalization of marijuana in the other thread related it to the fact that there is taxable income to be made there. It's completely naive to think that because prostitution is made legal that a majority of it still won't be done under the table. Unlike marijuana the legalization of prostitution would not benefit the government (to any significant extent). The ends will simply not outweight the means.
    Nonsense. It would be a taxable business like any other. And as far as being "under the table", you're begging the question. There is no more stigma associated with prostitution than there is with drug use, maybe less.

  4. #34
    Devil's Advocate SlyMaelstrom's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by medievalelks View Post
    Um, why do *illegal* immigrants work for far less money? And what motivation would a prostitute have to work for less when they can legitimately work for much more?
    Are you dreaming? Where can they work legitimately for much more money? An independant prostitute can make on any given night upwards to $1000-$2000. Where are these people going to find a legitimate job that pays the same? Like I said... prostitutes get into the business cause they're desperate. They have expensive habits and no legitimate means to support them. If you don't think that's true, then you've sugar-coated your reality.
    Quote Originally Posted by medievalelks View Post
    There is no more stigma associated with prostitution than there is with drug use, maybe less.
    Oh my... you are dreaming. There is as much stigma with the smoking of marijuana as there is with prostitution?
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  5. #35
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    Quote Originally Posted by SlyMaelstrom View Post
    Are you dreaming? Where can they work legitimately for much more money? An independant prostitute can make on any given night upwards to $1000-$2000. Where are these people going to find a legitimate job that pays the same? Like I said... prostitutes get into the business cause they're desperate. They have expensive habits and no legitimate means to support them. If you don't think that's true, then you've sugar-coated your reality.Oh my... you are dreaming.
    I was pointing out that your comparison to illegal immigrants working for less was flawed. They are forced to work for less because they can't work legally in this country. They take what they can get.

    What is the parallel to prositution if it's legal? Why would a prostitute work for far less when she can legally make more? It's nonsensical.

  6. #36
    and the Hat of Clumsiness GanglyLamb's Avatar
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    Although, if you don't mind me asking: who says they DO register everyone who's there and not hide some people?
    Yes and just like people who harbour people to work for them without paying taxes can get raids by a task force to search for them...

    Example:
    I take a car and drive it around a bit without license, who will know ? No one unless someone stops me and asks for my drivers license.
    Legalizing and controlling by setting up task forces and conduct regular searches/raids go hand in hand.

    However, I do believe that much of Amesterdam's appeal is a gimmick. There are not many places in the world that offer similar laws and because of that, they get a lot of tourism. In truth, I'm sure Amsterdam would hate it if the US legalized prostitution as they would probably take a major hit on their own tourism.
    I didnt even knew Amsterdam had such an appeal, to me its just another capital in another country. There are enough places in this world where you can do whatever you want and get away with it by using the correct leverage (read bribe), the only difference is that in the Netherlands they are using common sense.
    You cannot wipe out corruption , underground activities etc if the soil where it can grow is enough potent to sustain it. And clearing that ground of its potency is exactly what they do over there.

  7. #37
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    Quote Originally Posted by SlyMaelstrom View Post
    There is as much stigma with the smoking of marijuana as there is with prostitution?
    I wouldn't want my employer, family, priest, etc. knowing I did either. I can't imagine many people would.

  8. #38
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    Quote Originally Posted by medievalelks View Post
    What is the parallel to prositution if it's legal? Why would a prostitute work for far less when she can legally make more? It's nonsensical.
    So I guess you aren't reading what people have said, then... why would a prostitute work illegally when they can work legally for more. Let's think about this? Well for one... they might be illegal immigrants themselves. After all, we've already established that prostitution is an occupation of desperation... who is more desperate for money than people living in a country illegally? Can I think of any? How about... drug users... felons... underage runaways... I'm sure they don't need money *that bad* that they wouldn't work in prostitution for less money than the legal professionals.
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  9. #39
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    Quote Originally Posted by medievalelks View Post
    I wouldn't want my employer, family, priest, etc. knowing I did either. I can't imagine many people would.
    Really? Do you watch TV or read news papers? Do you want to count up the number of people that openly admit they enjoy marijuana to the people that openly admit they visit prostitutes?

    I'll start...

    For many of my teen years, I smoked pot with my friends and I enjoyed it. I haven't smoked for about three years, now. See? I had no problem admitting that... do you think I'm special?
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  10. #40
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    Quote Originally Posted by SlyMaelstrom View Post
    So I guess you aren't reading what people have said, then... why would a prostitute work illegally when they can work legally for more. Let's think about this? Well for one... they might be illegal immigrants themselves. After all, we've already established that prostitution is an occupation of desperation... who is more desperate for money than people living in a country illegally? Can I think of any? How about... drug users... felons... underage runaways... I'm sure they don't need money *that bad* that they wouldn't work in prostitution for less money than the legal professionals.
    But...none of the people you mentioned above could get *any* job above board. This is a problem with illegal immigration, felons, etc., not with prostitution.

  11. #41
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    Quote Originally Posted by SlyMaelstrom View Post
    Really? Do you watch TV or read news papers? Do you want to count up the number of people that openly admit they enjoy marijuana to the people that openly admit they visit prostitutes?
    Anecdotal.


    I'll start...

    For many of my teen years, I smoked pot with my friends and I enjoyed it. I haven't smoked for about three years, now. See? I had no problem admitting that... do you think I'm special?
    So this boils down to what you find acceptable and what you don't find acceptable. I think that's the case with most folks. They don't want a nanny state, unless they get to be the nanny. Because after all, they know what is best for everyone.

  12. #42
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    Quote Originally Posted by GanglyLamb View Post
    I didnt even knew Amsterdam had such an appeal, to me its just another capital in another country.
    Really? You mean the dozens of movies that reference the desire to visit Amsterdam for the prostitution and marijuana didn't clue you in?

    I appreciate your arguments and I agree that Amsterdam has done some things correctly to clear the ground of its potency, as you put it. However, the factors that lead to marijuana use and the factors that lead to prostitution are very different. One is fairly innoncent (simple curiousity) and the other is not (desperation). Prostitution your body is led by the same factors that lead someone to rob a store. A desire for money at the risks of what I listed above. Taking away the potential that you may be arrested will not destroy the risk in being a prostitute. It will still be a job only for those desperate enough to accept the risks and as such it will remain in majority under ground with "the wrong crowd."

    There is nothing wrong with someone enjoying the company of someone and willing to pay for it... it's human nature to want companionship. I'm not throwing you in the wrong crowd if you enjoy this... but the fact is, among those who do enjoy this... you're attracting almost anyone and everyone willing to violate the morals and respect of these women.
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  13. #43
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    Quote Originally Posted by medievalelks View Post
    But...none of the people you mentioned above could get *any* job above board. This is a problem with illegal immigration, felons, etc., not with prostitution.
    Well congratualions on finally understanding the point... so now that we agree that there are a certain niche of desperate people in this country... those that cannot find legal employment... are we willing to agree that within that group there are people that would rather sell their bodies for a lot of money than work in a grocery store for below minimum wage?
    Both with the same legal risks, I might add...
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  14. #44
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    Quote Originally Posted by medievalelks View Post
    Um, why do *illegal* immigrants work for far less money? And what motivation would a prostitute have to work for less when they can legitimately work for much more?
    Because the employer of illegal immigrants can get away with paying them less, since they are not in the country legally. Do you think the customer of a prostitute cares whether the prostitute is "registered" or not, or whether he/she is paying taxes for example?


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  15. #45
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    The problem I see is that legalizing something won't just make problems vanish in smokes...
    Maybe it will undermine the black market... maybe not. Companies cheat regularly. Yes, legal companies.
    That is to say, they can hide their customers, spoof their income and other things.
    The government and the police will probably be on outlook, but... they can't catch everything. Do much still goes right by under their nose.
    In this sense, legalizing it is no different from having it as illegal.

    I simply vote for legal for the rights involved. I don't think it will solve the problems with prostitution in the society.
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    You mean it's included as a crutch to help ancient programmers limp along without them having to relearn too much.

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