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From: keduh@hogpd.UUCP (D.HUDEK)
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: RE: Sin in NY State plus.....
Message-ID: <258@hogpd.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 18-Jan-84 10:10:03 EST
Article-I.D.: hogpd.258
Posted: Wed Jan 18 10:10:03 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 19-Jan-84 04:47:52 EST
Lines: 66

<<||>>

In the article 'Legal Sin in NY State' (or something closely
approximating that) the author complains about the State
running OTB, Lottories, etc. and asks why it's OK for the
State to do something when it's not OK for the individual.

C'mon....there's lots of examples of this. I can't pass and
enforce laws just on my own say-so {F'rinstance, my new tax law
stating that everyone making over $10,000/yr. must fork over $1000
by April 14 [I wanted to beat out the competition] or else I'm
coming after you with my handgun  :-)      } Of course, when
the state does this it's perfectly OK.

Anyway, this is beside the point I wanted to raise. Something the
author feared would happen if we followed this sinful path [~:-)]
would be state-run bordellos. What do other 'netters' feel about this
idea (not a new one I'm told..... e.g. Nevada, well, maybe Nevada
is state regulated and not necessarily state run) ??  ( Without 
specifying whether the employees at such a bordello are male or
female or both [or neither :-) ] since it really shouldn't matter... )
I'm inclined to think it's a great idea.

I really don't think prostitution will EVER be eliminated and by
making it a crime, we only make it much worse for the people involved.
[I know.... you could use the same argument to justify lots of other
'heinous' crimes, but I would argue that I think that the BASIC act
of prostitution is harmless (unlike murder, rape, heroin addiction, etc.)
and the only damage done the individual participants is the loss of
self esteem and guilt engendered if they are so predisposed by their
attitudes.] Whew, this is getting rather long-winded....  ANYWAY, 
what would be the benefits incurred if the state ran bordellos?
If the employees had to 'pass inspection' every week or so, then the
spread of disease would be slowed. The employees would not be exploited,
beaten, raped, hooked on hard drugs, etc. by a pimp. In time, going to a
prostitute would lose it's terrible connotations by the public at
large (the state says it's OK...), and a lot of psychic damage (guilt, 
low self-esteem, self-hatred, etc.) would by reduced. The pimps would(might?)
be put out of business, since their supply of victims would decline as 
more and more went to work for the state. The state-run bordellos would also 
generate a great deal of revenue (luxury tax applied as well [ :-) ] ) which 
could lead to lower state income taxes. All in all, it seems the total
sum of human misery would be reduced. I don't know, there may be many
other benefits involved, but I don't have time to think of them right now.
As to the negative side, I really can't think of anything other than
it being Immoral according to some moral codes and religions.

Well, that's my 2 cents worth. Actually, I really just wanted to
get some flames and discussion started. I'm getting tired of reading
about wombats, no matter how great/terrible they may be.

Gee, it sure is fun playing the devil's advocate !! I wish I
had time to do this more often..........
>>>Oh yeah, I should emphasize that the views expressed above are
not necessarily (I would be VERY surprised if they were) the
views of my employer.<<<<


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