Two controversial topics

[Lillymon]

My political views have changed around somewhat over the past few years. Fiscally, I've moved somwhat towards the centre (though I'm still somewhat apathetic about the whole subject) but socially, I think I've moved even further to the left. This makes me something of a libertarian, though I keep a close eye on my political leanings to make sure they're still sane.

But thinking about various things, I came to think that I can't really see why prostitution and drugs are actually illegal.

First, prostitution. At its basics, this is really a sale of a service in private between two people. Both go into it willingly, and money is transferred. What's so wrong with that? There are problems with violence and STDs now, but letitimizing and regulating it could reduce both and increase government revenue though taxation of prostitution businesses. I only see upsides here.

Second, drugs. Goverments have tried fighting the illegal trade in drugs for years with little to no success, so I think it's time to try different tactics. Legalize them (not just the soft stuff either, the 'hard' drugs too) and sell them in licensed shops. Large scale production would drive prices down, reduce or eliminate the illegal trade, stop deaths from deliberately impure drugs, and (of course) allow taxation of it. The expensive war on drugs becomes a profitable trade in drugs!

I expect these to both be highly controversial, but The Backroom could do with some of this. Also, to ensure I get a good range of views, I'm cross-posting this at the more conservative GameFAQs Politics board too.
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!luos ruoy tae lliw stelek ehT</P>

[shawn]

Drugs should be legal agreed. Prostitution is in my opinion wrong, it makes it so one person is better than the other supposedly since the other is paying and that is wrong since whores are the lowest lifeforms on the planet after politicians of course. <img src=smilies/cwm11.gif>
<P ID="signature">Definition of Gross: Finding a used condom at the bottom of your jar of mayonaise. </P>

[SwampGas]

Are you old enough to marry me yet?

I love a brit accent.
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[Danoz]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>


First, prostitution. At its basics, this is really a sale of a service in private between two people. Both go into it willingly, and money is transferred. What's so wrong with that? There are problems with violence and STDs now, but letitimizing and regulating it could reduce both and increase government revenue though taxation of prostitution businesses. I only see upsides here.

<hr></blockquote>

You're working under the assumption that all (or even most) prostitution takes place between two legal adults. Also, many STS can be transferred long before the person (or any test) even shows symptoms. A safer, more controlled world of prostitution? Blah. It's dirty by it's very nature, and even the most legitimate whoring business would have to be shady to compete with the streets. Who the hell in prostitution is going to go along with a plan where they're taxed heavily and forced to find only 18+ "employees" with rights... I can see it now, the hooker union in negotiation with their pimp administrators for better working conditions. Lastly, I don't like what this does for women in general. It opens up a legal door, a "last resort" for poor and drug addicted women to be sucked into more easily than when it's illegal (let's be real, the majority of the people this would affect is the young, broke, coke-addicted woman). I can think of better ways that prostitution to get them back on their feet to the betterment of society.

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>

Second, drugs. Governments have tried fighting the illegal trade in drugs for years with little to no success, so I think it's time to try different tactics. Legalize them (not just the soft stuff either, the 'hard' drugs too) and sell them in licensed shops. Large scale production would drive prices down, reduce or eliminate the illegal trade, stop deaths from deliberately impure drugs, and (of course) allow taxation of it. The expensive war on drugs becomes a profitable trade in drugs!

<hr></blockquote>

So the war on drugs is futile… does that make it war not worth fighting? And what do you mean by “different tactics”, you’re going from a full out fight to a complete and total “fuck it”. Again… do you really think these legitimate shops would have no competition with the drug lords and dealers that have ruled the streets for years? Especially (as we discussed over your prostitution model) when the government is asking for a piece of the pie? And no bullshit here, the government would be asking for more than just a “little” piece. Large scale production? How do you think drugs are produced now? In small town candy stores? Large scale production is the name of the game over seas… good luck competing with that. And, even if prices are driven downward, now we just have cheaper—more accessible drugs for an already addicted group of people.

It’s good that you’re thinking, but before you go gung-ho libertarian, it can be short-sighted. Simply eliminating restrictions does not solve long-standing problems. Prostitution and drug addictions are holes, like deep gambling debts. It should be our responsibility to help dig these people out, not find ways to push them in further and benefit financially from it.<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by Danoz on 07/28/06 04:44 PM.</FONT></P>

[pipes]

man yor text is fuxked up
<P ID="signature">The pipes clangor all the time!</P>

[Danoz]

> man yor text is fuxked up

That was weird. I fixed it.
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http://www.oz3d.com</P>