Ted Rall: Will Polygamy, Adult Incest, Prostitution, Masturbation, Adultery and Obscenity Be Legaliz

[unhappycamper]

http://smirkingchimp.com/thread/ted-rall/53430/will-polygamy-adult-incest-prostitution-masturbation-adultery-and-obscenity-be-legalized-next-lets-hope-so

Will Polygamy, Adult Incest, Prostitution, Masturbation, Adultery and Obscenity Be Legalized Next? Let's Hope So.
by Ted Rall | December 31, 2013 - 11:48am

~snip~

Many arguments in support of moralizing legislation focus on the effect of targeted behavior on the vulnerable, including women and children. Moralizers miss that their proscriptions increase abuse by driving victims underground. For example, polygamous religious cults use their illegal status to isolate children, forcing some to marry against their will. Because they’re in secret compounds, they can’t call the police. Prostitution is most dangerous in states and countries where the oldest profession is illegal.

As gays and lesbians marry, there is zero sign of Scalia’s “massive disruption of the current social order.” To the contrary: morals laws are the disruptive force. Laws against victimless crimes subvert the primary purpose of law: to promote the common good. Laws that ban behavior that is widespread (such as adultery and masturbation) effectively criminalize the majority of citizens, which undermines respect for government.

Society can and will debate morality. It should not enforce moral judgments about personal behavior through the courts.

Moral laws are immoral.

[Crowman1979]

1. Masturbation is not legal?

If that's the case, I should probably be in prison right now with infinite life sentences.

[theHandpuppet]

2. Ha-ha! That was my first hought, too

Masturbation is illegal???? What the ....

[Initech]

3. It's not illegal, it's frowned upon!

[Fearless]

4. +1