Legalize prostitution, drugs, and other victim-less crimes

[noonereal]

President Obama was asked about this last night.

The crowd laughed and I found this article on it.

"Prompted by a rather bizarre question from a Sophomore at Lehigh Carbon Community College who wanted to know – based on his criminology course studies – if the President has considered legalizing prostitution, some drugs, and releasing non-violent offenders to stimulate the economy"

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpu...titution-.html

My question is, why is this question considered so out of bounds?

I though we lived in the land of the free?

[merrylander]

Prostitution is not always a victimless crime, some of the young girls are not given a choice.

[Boreas]

Originally Posted by noonereal

President Obama was asked about this last night.

The crowd laughed and I found this article on it.

"Prompted by a rather bizarre question from a Sophomore at Lehigh Carbon Community College who wanted to know – based on his criminology course studies – if the President has considered legalizing prostitution, some drugs, and releasing non-violent offenders to stimulate the economy"

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpu...titution-.html

My question is, why is this question considered so out of bounds?

I though we lived in the land of the free?

The question's not out of bounds, really. Why do you think it is? Is what you're really after a discussion about the wisdom of legalizing these things?

I'll bite.

Let me take care of the early release of non-violent criminals first. I think that's worth looking at, especially for crimes like the personal use of marijuana. That being said, I don't see how releasing a bunch of people will have a beneficial effect on the economy. It would just add to the number of unemployed people looking for work.

I suppose the premise behind legalizing these things is that they're "victimless crimes". Maybe prostitution is victimless but drug or gambling addicts, as well as their families, are most definitely victims. There are social costs associated with addiction that I would not like to see increase as a result of legalization.

John

[Boreas]

Originally Posted by merrylander

Prostitution is not always a victimless crime, some of the young girls are not given a choice.

D'oh! You're correct. I don't know why I omitted that.

John

[noonereal]

Originally Posted by merrylander

Prostitution is not always a victimless crime, some of the young girls are not given a choice.

I understand but that is a different matter and legalizing prostitution would have nothing to do with child abuse, or child rape.

[Boreas]

Originally Posted by noonereal

I understand but that is a different matter and legalizing prostitution would have nothing to do with child abuse, or child rape.

What about children forced into prostitution? If prostitution were to be legalized it would have to be licensed or something so that only adults (free from STDs) could engage in it legally.

On balance, I think prostitution must remain illegal. Too much down-side risk, especially in the "Age of AIDS".

John

[noonereal]

No, my question was straight forward. I saw the student ask the question and heard the crowds response, they roared with laughter. Also, this article, the first one I found on the subject seems to suggest that even discussing this possibility is ridiculous.

who?

If they went on welfare it would still be cheaper.

why do you think legalizing drugs and gambling would increase the number of folks doing it?

as to the harm they do their families, we don't legislate against that now, what difference would that make?

It would however raise revenue and make a significant impact on disease.

[noonereal]

Originally Posted by Boreas

What about children forced into prostitution? If prostitution were to be legalized it would have to be licensed or something so that only adults (free from STDs) could engage in it legally.

On balance, I think prostitution must remain illegal. Too much down-side risk, especially in the "Age of AIDS".

John

John I am shocked. Leagalizing prostitution would help stop the spread on aids.

[Boreas]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Boreas
The question's not out of bounds, really. Why do you think it is? Is what you're really after a discussion about the wisdom of legalizing these things?

No, my question was straight forward. I saw the student ask the question and heard the crowds response, they roared with laughter. Also, this article, the first one I found on the subject seems to suggest that even discussing this possibility is ridiculous.

Okay. I don't agree. It's not a ridiculous question.

Quote:
Let me take care of the early release of non-violent criminals first. I think that's worth looking at, especially for crimes like the personal use of marijuana. That being said, I don't see how releasing a bunch of people will have a beneficial effect on the economy. It would just add to the number of unemployed people looking for work.

If they went on welfare it would still be cheaper.

The premise for releasing them was that it would stimulate the economy. It might reduce government expenditure on corrections but it might also result in job losses in corrections.

Quote:
I suppose the premise behind legalizing these things is that they're "victim-less crimes". Maybe prostitution is victim-less but drug or gambling addicts, as well as their families, are most definitely victims. There are social costs associated with addiction that I would not like to see increase as a result of legalization.

why do you think legalizing drugs and gambling would increase the number of folks doing it?

Fear of arrest and imprisonment has to prevent some people from getting involved with drugs, right? Remove the legal consequences and those people might start using.

With gambling it's a question of access. I live in California where there are Indian casinos and card rooms all over the place but it's not that way everywhere. In many areas gambling is less than widely accessible. Full legalization would change that.

as to the harm they do their families, we don't legislate against that now, what difference would that make?

No, not directly but we do legislate against child abuse, neglect, abandonment, etc. Also, it's not so much a question of committing criminal acts as it is causing harm to yourself and those who in some way depend on you. As I said, social costs.

It would however raise revenue and make a significant impact on disease.

Eh??? Ask Atlantic City how much benefit they've derived from gambling.

John

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Boreas

The question's not out of bounds, really. Why do you think it is? Is what you're really after a discussion about the wisdom of legalizing these things?

I'll bite.

Let me take care of the early release of non-violent criminals first. I think that's worth looking at, especially for crimes like the personal use of marijuana. That being said, I don't see how releasing a bunch of people will have a beneficial effect on the economy. It would just add to the number of unemployed people looking for work.

I suppose the premise behind legalizing these things is that they're "victimless crimes". Maybe prostitution is victimless but drug or gambling addicts, as well as their families, are most definitely victims. There are social costs associated with addiction that I would not like to see increase as a result of legalization.

John

I don't think that there are many people doing time for the personal use of marijuana, at least not in prison.

Chas