Do you find anything wrong with using escorts and prostitutes?

[Herman Munster]

Aside from the hypocricy of right wing nutjobs, for the average joe out there that isn't a public figure I don't really think it's a big deal. In much of Europe prostitution is legal, and the world hasn't ended. It's even legal in many counties in Nevada. Ever see Cathouse on HBO? The world hasn't ended.

There are lots of lonely people out there for whatever reasons. There are also people who are just interested in sex and don't care for relationships.

I'm of the mind as long as the parties are both consenting adults, whatever arrangement they come to is their business.

[Frank Cannon]

1. Agreed wholeheartedly

As long as it's regulated as it is in Nevada (monthly physicals, STD tests, mandatory condom use, etc.). Public health, and all that.

[NNN0LHI]

2. The woman who provided Vitter the diaper service is looking at serving hard time

Apparently someone must think there is something wrong with it.

Don

[Horse with no Name]

3. Well she didn't get "hard" time with Vitter

:hide:

[rodeodance]

39. It needs to be regulated and taxed like other companies

[Katherine Brengle]

4. Personally? Yes. The sex industry as a whole is detrimental

to women and children.

Exploitation is exploitation, and it's ALL tied together. Nothing exists in a vacuum.

[cyborg_jim]

20. Detrimental how precisely?

And why is it automatically exploitation if sex is involved?

I mean by your logic you'd have to be chastising some women (and men, you know, there are male prostitutes as well; something that always seems to be ignored in these debates) for exploiting themselves.

[Captain Hilts]

22. It's impersonal and dehumanizing. Other than that, it's great. nt

[cyborg_jim]

24. To whom? You?

Well you don't have to get paid for sex if you don't want to.

I mean I engage in all other sorts of impersonal transactions on a daily basis - I don't see people getting upset about that.

[Captain Hilts]

28. Many 'women' 'employed' in prostitution don't want to be there.

Besides, your impersonal transactions might not spread dangerous diseases or result in pregnancy or stigmatize you rendering leading a 'normal' life impossible.

It's not like buying a coke at the 7/11.

[cyborg_jim]

33. I doubt many people employed at Burger King want to be there either

But maybe some are also happy at their job.

So let's not pretend this is about job satisfaction eh? You don't get to decide whether or not someone else is enjoying what they do based upon whether or not you'd like to do it - that's not how it works.

Besides, your impersonal transactions might not spread dangerous diseases or result in pregnancy or stigmatize you rendering leading a 'normal' life impossible.

As far as the spread of disease and pregnancy regular old 'sex for horniness' seems to be doing quite adequately. That slippery slope will not fly with me.

As for stigma... uh, well whose fault would that be? Society's. And why does society stigmatise so? Because they view the world in terms such as yours. Rather circular no?

The whole point is that we could mitigate these factors if we were willing to be a bit more grown-up in our attitudes towards sex. We could make it less dangerous, less risky and more enjoyable for all involved.

[Captain Hilts]

37. You're totally clueless if you can equate working at Burger King with being a prostitute.

Enough.

[cyborg_jim]

42. So no counter-argument then?

Because yeah, Burger King is central to my argument and not just an exemplification of the fact that sometimes one has to do things they may not like.

And of course just go ahead and ignore the fact that your attitude towards sex may be vastly different to someone's else's so whilst you might find the idea of getting someone to pay for your services abhorrent it may well not be for someone else. (I have personal experience of this so you can't just fob me off by pretending it cannot be the case).

[HeeBGBz]

I think I'd rather be a hooker than work at Burger King

But that's just me.

[JVS]

101. but would you still wear the paper hat?

;-)

[HeeBGBz]

144. Want a little shake with that?

[Jed Dilligan]

78. Whoa!

You don't think there's even a teensy weensy bit of exploitation involved in "buying a coke at the 7-11"?

[Captain Hilts]

104. Sure. But don't equate it with potentially ruining your life/health in prostitution.

It's not the same.

[Jed Dilligan]

137. Why? Because it only affects factory and agricultural workers

who are far away where you don't have to see them?

Or are you hung up about sex....

[Jade Fox]

52. As my former prostitute friends have told me......

It's all about the money. Selling oneself is still one of the most profitable jobs a woman can get.

That said, it is inherently demeaning to sell oneself, and being a prostitute takes its toll on those who do it.

[havocmom]

81. So are most other service industry jobs

The problem with this one seems to be that women can go into business themselves and not have to be working for some male dominated corporate structure.

Firmly convinced that is the REAL reason it's illegal. THE MAN doesn't like independent businesses, especially those where the profits go to women.

[TahitiNut]

86. Objectification and commoditization of human beings have a common moral failing.

Kant's second formulation of his Categorical Imperative:
"Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, always at the same time as an end and never simply as a means."

Despite the eagerness with which some 'liberals' wish to narrowly define instances of the exploitation of human beings for the purposes of their own axe-grinding, the objectification of women (rape and prostitution), the objectification of voters (retail politics and partisanship), racism, and the commoditization of human labor ("guest worker visas," illegal alien labor, etc.) all have their roots in the same moral failing - a violation of the Categorical Imperative.

[Captain Hilts]

105. The draft objectifies men in a similar way, BUT...

they can get something positive from military life: healthcare, comraderie, a skill, etc.

But, as is the case right now, it's not worth it. People here suggesting that women voluntarily go into prostitution because of the money is like saying that people join the military for the money. They do, but that's not a good thing.

[TahitiNut]

145. It's not the 'draft' that objectifies men ... it's the military. Any military.

An Army (military force) is nothing but the use of human beings as a means rather than an end. There is absolutely NOTHING that either makes it more objectifying (e.g. the draft) or less objectifying (e.g. "volunteer" military). It just IS. Period. The question then is whether a democratic society would relegate that objectification to a minority - benefiting the exploiters who do NOT perform such service - or share equitably in bearing the burdens of such service until NOBODY must do so.

[Fading Captain]

112. That reminds me

the other day, I was really thrown off by the expression "human resources."

Its like the corporations are mining us.

[Maru Kitteh]

178. Human "resources". Good point.

Just like other resources, they extract every usable bit of fibre and energy, and discard the leftovers.

Excellent observation.

[Warren DeMontague]

117. Nothing exists in a vacuum, including the seemingly total inabilty of some to formulate cogent

arguments for telling consenting adults what they can or cannot do with their own bodies...

...without dragging "the children" into it. :eyes:

Now. Think you can do that? I didn't see anything about "children" in the OP. I didn't see anyone asking if it's "okay to exploit Children".

Do you understand the difference between a consenting adult and a child? Do you believe that adults have the ability to consent to various behaviors?

Or, if you don't personally approve of the behavior, have the adults involved magically lost the ability to consent?

[Dogmudgeon]

5. Yeah -- they cost way too much!

:evilgrin:

The issue at hand isn't the sex, and it isn't the propriety; it's the hypocrisy.

And it isn't small-time hypocrisy. Most of these hale-fellows-well-met are crusaders for laws to destroy people, for what they consider to be perks of their positions.

Out them, then out WITH them.

--p!

[Clark2008]

17. I think a person's body is priceless, so you're lucky it's not several

million.

I know you were "joking," but it's comments like yours which exemplifies the position the poster above you took about exploitation.

No - it doesn't cost YOU way to much. It costs THEM way too much.

[Dogmudgeon]

40. Let me just blush with shame ... not

There's too much moralizing everywhere.

--p!

[Captain Hilts]

106. I think I'm being compasionate, actually. nt

[TankLV]

161. Well - we all know WHAT repukes are, now we are only haggling over the PRICE...

[madokie]

6. this is the land of the free I'm told

whatever a person wants to do short of infringing on anothers right to do the same is fine by me. hey if he likes pain and you like giving it to him then by all means whup the piss out of 'em, let him shit his diapers I don't care.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

12. used to be, like 7 yrs ago. no longer.

the sex nazis, the gay police and the anti- freedom of choice warriors are still in control.

[madokie]

29. my bad I forget

funny I would forget so soon

[liberal N proud]

7. If the women who were providing the service weren't virtual slaves...

and abused?
I wouldn't have any problem with people paying for sex. I wouldn't my self but other peoples business is not mine.
I see nothing wrong with "consenting" adult practicing what comes natural even if money exchanges hands in the process. The problem is those who are controlling the women providing the service in most cases. Once a women is in the sex industry it is very difficult for her to leave it.

[fed-up]

16. its mainly a service for men, who don't care if the majority of women doing the

work are mostly themselves victims of abuse or hard times with few if any other options

the laws are more concerned with seeing that the needs of men are met with little disregard for the fact that given a good education and therapy most women would definitely not be in this particular service industry

that said I do understand there a very small percentage of the women workers are able to do and enjoy the work without destroying their self esteem



my 18 YO son just did a speech for a class on this particular topic and part of his solution was to have the men pay some sort of pleasure tax which would go towards funding educational opportunities so those women that chose could pursue another line of work

[TheFriendlyAnarchist]

27. Legalize. Get rid of the pimps.

Make it just like any other job. The only reason that it's special is the fact that it is a criminal act. If it's like workig at McDonalds, then I see no issues.

What you do with your body isn't my business. I smoke weed, and I expect everyone else to leave me the fuck alone.

[Frank Cannon]

49. Exactly. Regulate it, tax it, and get it off the streets.

While providing sex for money is outlawed, only outlaws will provide sex for money. We need to do for the pimps and exploiters of today what the 21st Amendment did for the liquor-running gangs.

[Sanctified]

170. If it were legal the women would not need a pimp for protection and bail.

Nor would they have to stand on a street corner since they would be able to advertise their services like any other business.

[xchrom]

8. not at all -- it can be a perfectly good way

to earn a living.

and that's what it is.

i support it's legalization and unionization of that industry.

[bullimiami]

9. i agree it should be legalized but while its a crime, for any government officer,

sworn by oath to uphold the laws, to break that law, is a failure of the oath of office and should be cause for dismissal.

[jody]

10. I don’t see any difference between prostituting one’s body and one’s character, e.g. politicians. nt

[Demeter]

11. Bingo!

And there it is....the sticking point that not-so-free love can never get past.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

13. are you kidding?

One involves getting all sweaty, filthy, perverted, just covered in stinking body fluids and doing things that normal, rational, "good" people would never consider doing.

The other involves sex.

[Fox Mulder]

14. ...

:rofl:

[jody]

15. ROFLMAO

:rofl:

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

54. ............

:rofl:

[Madspirit]

71. rofl

:rofl:


Lee

[otherlander]

74. Damn, I wish we could recomend individual posts.

:rofl:

[Raksha]

152. Now that you mention it, we don't call politicians and RW media shills

"hos" for no reason!

[saltpoint]

18. At some point I'd admit that both prostitution and political hypocrisy

are age-old and virtually impossible to eradicate.

So of the two, I condone prostitution. Political hypocrisy -- Vitter's far more grievous transgression -- affects many other people. His voting record and his family values public face wounded many others. His arrangements with prostitutes is private domain.

I don't like Republicans generally and I dislike overtly, hyper-moralistic Republicans especially.

I hope Governor Blanco will have the opportunity to replace Sen. Vitter with a Democrat.

[OnionPatch]

19. Agreed. What happens between two constenting adults

is none of my business. A truly "free" country would not have laws against what consenting adults do together in privacy. However, if you make your living piously screaming against prostitution and all things related to freedom of sexuality, then turn around and indulge in those things yourself, YOU ARE A HYPOCRITE AND A FRAUD, and should be exposed as one.

[Captain Hilts]

21. So many of the young women are there under duress. nt

[Warren Stupidity]

31. which is why it should be legal.

[Captain Hilts]

35. There will always be pressures to lower wages through a greater supply of women.

That's where the illegal aspect will always play a part in this industry. You know, the young girls that are taken in vans to the docks for longshoremen, etc.

[cyborg_jim]

44. A regulated sex industry would allow resources to be concentraited on the more unpleasant aspects

It is foolish to believe that one could ever eliminate everything that is unsavoury about this world but it would be sensible to realise when an unreasonable choice has been made in how to balance such considerations.

[Warren Stupidity]

47. What?

Have you seen a dock recently? 10,000 cargo containers, a lot of heavy machinery, not a lot of people. Do you just make this shit up?

You cannot get rid of prostitution by making it illegal. You can reduce all of these problems you keep bringing up by legalizing it, by regulating it, by treating it like any other occupation. You increase all of the problems you keep bringing up by driving this service underground.

[Captain Hilts]

60. No, I don't "make this shit up," I live in Hampton Roads, VA. nt

[Hubert Flottz]

23. So do we let the crack H0s and the Viagra crazed repugs run

wild in every city in Amerikkka? We're in a War on Crime, H0s, Drugs, Porno, Rock and Roll, Sex and Violins, here in America and we've spent BILLIONS stamping the abominations out! Do we let this evil shit take over our country again without hardly a whimper? I don't give a fuck!

I don't worry about tellin' the children shit,'cause I ain't got any kids anymore! I say let the juice and the shitty diapers fly and let Gwad sort it out later...but then I'm not a repub politician campaigning as a holy joe, who's claiming to be living at the very foot of the freakin' cross...

[PBass]

25. Most women sell their bodies because they have no other options.

Women are paid less than men, for doing the same job. Women are discriminated against in hiring, and on the job. Until those issues are addressed, there will be an economic incentive for women to sell their bodies.

Also, lots of women sell themselves to support their drug addiction.

Nobody should pretend that prostitution is a "free love" kind of issue. Many women who do it, do it out of desperation.

[Warren Stupidity]

32. Lots of people work lots of shitty jobs because they have no other options.

As for drug addiction related criminal activity - that is the other half of the criminalization of consensual behavior that needs to be abolished. Drug addiction related crime would vanish if drug addicts could obtain their drugs at reasonable cost.

[Retired AF Dem]

46. I'm for legal drugs

but "Drug addiction related crime" would not vanish. To many drug addicts do not have jobs so where would they get the money to buy the cheaper drugs?

[Warren Stupidity]

48. Drug addicts are highly productive people.

You think it is easy to steal enough to support a habit?

But seriously, just put them on disability, give them their drugs, and stop driving them underground and into a life of crime. Offer them treatment on demand. Stop treating addiction as a criminal problem and treat it as a health problem and most of the external bad effects to anyone other than the addict himself go away, at a far lower cost to society than the current ridiculous system. The Prison Industrial Complex is right next to the Military Industrial Complex as massively corrupting influences on our society.

[zalinda]

53. This is not true

I have recently been schooled on the sex trade industry. There are many women who get into the industry because, yes then can make more money Burger King, but also because they like sex. I know a number of women who are in the swinging community and while that life style may not be to my liking, they are adults and will do what they want. I know one girl who wanted to go to Amsterdam to work as a prostitute because she liked the life style over there. Many women who are in the sex industry feel more powerful than their corporate counter parts, they have total control, while the corporate worker must kiss the boss's ass.

Yes, there are low class hookers who do get into it to feed their habit, or their family, but that is not the whole story on the sex workers. Some would do it anyway instead of educating themselves for a "higher class" job. The only sensible thing to do is to make it legal, that way they have a way of complaining to the police when they are taken advantage of for any reason.

zalinda

[marions ghost]

58. that's not saying a whole lot

for the state of corporate workers...

While I agree with making it legal, if prostitution becomes the preferred job for young women...well that would be a VERY interesting development. I could easily imagine it happening in our exploitative, sex-crazed culture.

What does one of these liberated 'higher-class' sex workers do when she gets a little past her prime? Will she find work among aging legislators who just want a little spanking or diapering? Will there still be plenty of work for the Mommy type? Or does she THEN end up in a low-paid, no benefits clerical job?

[zalinda]

69. A lot of the workers use the sex industry

to further their ambitions. Some use it as a "dating service", like some women used to do when they went to college. Some use it to make money to open businesses, or further their education. But, some do work past their prime, because believe it or not, there are men who like mature women. There is a whole under ground that most of us know nothing about. I was really surprised when I started talking to some swingers, not men, but women. These women wanted the swinging, not necessarily the men, or they didn't have to have their arms twisted to try it.

And, of course, the sex industry is not all about hooking, there are various areas within it that can be profitable.

Just like strippers, some hookers use their youth to take advantage of men who may let their little head make their decisions, so they can make a better life for themselves. And some women just love the sex industry. Go figure, not something I could do, but what ever floats your boat.

zalinda

[marions ghost]

83. I don't doubt what you say

I guess time will tell whether this is a growing industry full of mentally healthy young women just out to make an honest buck.

I'm not sure how that could be evaluated, but I guess it could if legalized.

[XOKCowboy]

124. A growing industry? How about the oldest industry?

Prostitution has been around since the earliest recorded history and before. It's been vilified and criminalized forever but it's still around and will always be around. Look at the Nevada model of legal prostitution. There the ladies don't have to work under the stigma of doing something illegal, are checked by the doctor before they go to work and weekly while they are at work and guys don't have to worry about getting robbed or a disease.

America's puritan roots sure come through sometimes. The archaic laws on prostitution are just one example.

[marions ghost]

151. I guess i mean the 'less sleezy' prostitution industry...

is growing. That which attracts business girls (guys?) out of offices, & not owned by pimps. Yes, like in Nevada. "Escorts" rather than streetwalkers. Even so you'd really have to work at the image to make it more respectable. Isn't part of the attraction that it's naughty? I mean it's not hard to get a sex partner free of charge in this culture. Oh sure it should be legalized. Whoever does this type of work servicing any old body who comes through the door DEFINITELY should be paid well and get benefits. I see it more as therapy when you have to pay for it though.

[Madspirit]

84. Not My Friends

I have many friends in the sex trades and this isn't the case with them. I even have a friend who hooked her way through grad. school. She now has a PhD in Psychology.

What adults do with their bodies is their business. Saying women who do it have low self-esteem is the ultimate condescension. Most women have self-esteem issues, hookers or not. My friends do it because they make HUGE bucks, not just better bucks but HUGE bucks and it doesn't bother them at all.

It's funny that a woman could have sex with 15 people in one day and it doesn't become a problem for the self-righteous and the judgmental...UNTIL MONEY CHANGES HANDS. How dare those women charge for what other women do for nothing.

Lee

[Rosemary2205]

94. I'm sorry but Bullcrap.

Prostitution is a choice -- For what ever reason they find prostitution a more viable option for earning money than a standard job - or second job or whatever. The type of women who work for "madams" are have chosen to work in the sex trade -- and more often than not these women are educated middle class women who have other options. And with the explosion of internet porn, more and more young middle class women are opening internet porn sites that are sometimes gateways to obtain customers for prostitution. It's my understanding the money is VERY good.

Now, I will grant you the poorest women, at the fringes of society, often see no other choice to earn money other than prostitution. Teen runaways, immigrants tricked into sex slavery, drug addicts with no good support system. Sometimes women at the bottom economically simply have emotional or intellectual impairments, or addictions or live in abuse, that make it difficult for them to hold a "real" job. -- I'll grant you there is an underworld involved in the sex trade. IMHO legalizing and regulating prostitution will cut down on some of that.

[Captain Hilts]

140. Oh, all those women from Russia, Ukraine, El Salvador that are promised jobs know ...

they're going to become prostitutes and have their passports confiscated?

Live and learn!

[Rosemary2205]

146. You obviously did not read my post.

[MiniMe]

26. The problem here is hypocrasy. Making a big deal about the Clenis,

while you are visiting a prostitute while you are in diapers. At least BC didn't have to pay for it. Newt and DeLay are also very guilty of that hypocrasy. Th fact that they had affairs is between them, their wife, and their maker. The fact that they were prosecuting Bill while having affairs is where I have the big problem.

[Warren Stupidity]

30. not really. It is a service industry and has been around for a long time.

Or so I've heard. The hypocrisy is criminalizing it as the only people who benefit from that are corrupt politicians, corrupt police officers, and organized crime.

[book_worm]

34. It should be legalized but don't expect for either major party to call for that

because this is still a puritanical country (and hypocritcal as well) and most people if asked will say they don't want prostitution legalized with benefits and unionized and such. I would guess that the vast majority of democrats don't want it either. Can you imagine if the democratic party called for the legalization of prostitution what an outcry there would be. The GOP would never do it. Besides, there are more vital issues than legalizing prostitution.

[0007]

36. Only as long as they are approved by the FDA and are against abortions.

Just kidding
"As long as the parties are both consenting adults, whatever arrangement they come to is their business."

[Bitwit1234]

38. As long as they don't have any diseases

you are 100% correct. What is wrong with it is the way people protest it and the participators like Vitter deny it. One thing about Delay he admitted that he visited call girls and wasn't ashamed to admit it.

[markk]

41. not at all.. its basically the national past time in brazil

[Captain Hilts]

66. There are a lot of things going on in Brazil that I'd rather not have here....

like mass poverty, exploitation, slavery, etc.

[flvegan]

43. Legalize it and get them a union.

So long as the parties are consenting and not held under duress, then I don't have an issue with prostitution. I wouldn't give them my business, but I don't look down on it. I think that the workers need certain protections and the same health care and benefit options that other industries have.

[terrya]

188. That's a good answer

I believe that Holland requires prostitutes (where prostitution is legal) to get regular health care.

[ecstatic]

45. I support prostitutes and loathe "Johns"

I judge "Johns" very harshly. Where is their pride and self worth? Their loyalty to their wives and significant others? Why is sex so important that they would stoop to the level of paying some poor woman (usually down on her luck) to have sex?

[Frank Cannon]

51. Why the hate for "Johns"?

There are some single men who are desperate for sexual contact and can't find a partner, or who do not want any sort of relationship whatsoever and just sort of do the deed and get it over with. So what if they want to pay for sex? I think your loathing is more for guys who cheat on their spouses, girlfriends (or boyfriends) with hookers--and yeah, I think your contempt there is justified.

I once met a guy who was going to a psychiatrist because he was desperately lonely. He was a virgin and thought that he would never have the chance to even have sex, let alone a relationship. He was absolutely miserable. Unfortunately, this young man was--and I'm only stating a fact--quite hideous. He looked like one of those Basil Wolverton cartoons from MAD Magazine. Why deny him a night of pleasure, albeit paid for?

[ecstatic]

64. LOL.. thanks for the perspective

Hopefully he finds someone through online dating or something, maybe a long distance relationship or something.

I would guess that the night of pleasure would leave him feeling even more miserable and lonely the next day, but it would be his choice and I don't have the right to take that choice away.

[pitohui]

149. so you totally missed the part where senator vitter has a wife and 4 children?

if whores had to rely on single men to pay the bills, there would be no whores


single losers w. no money do not put enough into the sex for sale economy to be worth considering, single men w. lots of disposable income are not losers and have these things known as boyfriends and girlifriends and don't have to pay for it

talk to some sex workers some time, the money is in married men not in some poor pathetic single guy that for some reason is the ONLY single man in the history of the world w. spare money not to be targeted by LOTS of friends

christ, i'm a fucking female, and i have a fucking dollar in my pocket, i'm targeted by people wanting to be my "friend"

the only reason to pay for sex is if you're married, period, if you have money (CAN pay) and are a single, you can go to a meeting of folks who share your interest and get laid, period, fuck, even the most nerdy bird watching nerd amongst us can testify to this from personal experience


people pay for sex because they're married fuckwits and don't want to get romantically involved, "lonely" people want nothing more than to be romantically involved and have that person messed up on them wanting to screw them for the next three decades

[mondo joe]

155. Identifying a married john doesn't mean all, or even most, are married.

People who are married or have any other sort of monogamous commitment should clearly not be having sex with others - for money or not.

But that's irrelevant to the matter of whether prostitution should be legal or not.

[cyborg_jim]

177. Indeed.

Saying prostitution shouldn't be legal because married men will use prostitutes is akin to saying the Internet should be banned because of child porn. It's a completely tangential issue.

[mondo joe]

50. No, I don't, provided everyone is a consenting adult. NT

[LoZoccolo]

55. No, but I have a huge problem with pimping.

I also have a problem with de facto decriminalization of prostitution without full legalization. Years ago in Chicago, the police basically said that as long as people aren't soliciting in public view, but rather using escort services and massage parlors, they generally don't bust those. What's happened since then is that there's been rampant human trafficking from places like China due to the fact that an underground industry is allowed to operate with no oversight. If the city chooses to simply say "we won't bother you so long as we don't see you", then they will operate as a hidden racket and no one will see the other laws being broken.

[ourbluenation]

56. well....re: the consenting adults....the person's sig. other would have to consent too.

or else there will be trouble.

[Toasterlad]

57. A Person Should Absolutely Have the Right to Do Whatever They Want With Their Own Body

Prostitution is "unsavory" largely because it's illegal. If it were legalized, there'd be no need for pimps. If it were regulated (as it should be, since it could be a public health concern), all prostitutes (female AND male) would undergo regular physicals and be legally required to use protection.

There are options out there for women "forced" into prostitution; agencies designed to help them out of that life. But if someone CHOOSES to sell his or her body for sex, they should have the right to do so.

[Captain Hilts]

65. It's "unsavory" for other reasons too....

men stepping out on their wives, wanting to have violent sex, potential for blackmail, unintended pregnancy with a stranger, etc.

[Madspirit]

70. Legalizing it

Legalizing it would make those same men, WHO ARE GOING TO STEP OUT ANYWAY, NOT bring AIDS home. When it is legal there is oversight. There has not been one case of AIDS in the brothels outside Las Vegas. ...and they don't get pregnant.

If you think making it illegal keeps men from stepping out that's kind of illogical as it is already illegal and men still step out.

Adults can fuck 400 people a day and it's fine until money changes hands?

You're very judgmental. I have lots of friends in the sex trades and they feel fine about it.
Lee

[Captain Hilts]

102. I've actually not said I'm against legalizing it. I'm not. I'm for it.

What I'm saying is that legalizing it does not mean it's a good idea or that anonymous sex is a good idea.

There seem to be a lot of folks here who think that all women voluntarily engage in this profession and that legalizing it would help ensure that. It wouldn't. Just as there is a black market for: child care, elder care, construction work, etc. to keep labor prices down, there will still be women forced to be prostitutes.

But, yes, legalizing it takes some of the profit-motive out of it for pimps. But there will still be those who want to game the system under cover.

That's all I'm saying.

[Toasterlad]

109. But....

...you don't feel that a person has a fundamental right to sell their body...or do whatever else they want with it?

[Captain Hilts]

110. Yes, I do.

[Toasterlad]

113. Excellent. That's All I'm Saying.

Everyone is free to assign moral values to anything, as long as we respect the rights of others to do as they please.

[XOKCowboy]

122. The only legal model we have is Nevada

There the unintended pregnancy angle is not a problem. If it's legal there is no potential for blackmail unless you're a hypocrite Repug railing about "traditional values" in which case you asked for it. As for wanting to have violent sex, if you attack a lady in a Nevada house they have a "panic button" nearby and 20+ people within hearing range of a scream. Usually the attacker has more to worry about from the ladies than he faces from security or the county sheriff. Now if the guy and the lady agree to violent sex then it becomes consensual and none of our business doesn't it?

Now as for men stepping out on their wives... It happens. Isn't it better that the guy steps out with someone who won't rob them or give them a "little gift" to take back to the wife?

[mondo joe]

156. There's nothing in your list that is exclusive to sex-for-pay that couldn't be part of a free-sex

scenario.

[ElboRuum]

59. Nothing at all... nt

[mitchum]

61. I feel sorry for both parties in the transaction; it's sad mutual exploitation

[Name removed]

85. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Captain Hilts]

111. Please acknowledge that that is NOT the case for a lot of women. nt

[mitchum]

133. No, but your assessment of my opinion IS condescending...

but I will consider the source...

How about if I had said cheap whores who will inevitably be used up (and thus worthless) and pathetic wretches who have to pay for sex?
Would you have liked that any better?

[mondo joe]

98. If it's mutual consensual exploitation why is it so sad?

When I pay a plumber or buy a cake, the plumber or baker and I mutually exploit each other.

Is that sad?

[mitchum]

134. Because people are people and often find themselves doing such things out of need...

and I don't exempt myself from that reality of the human condition (except that I have never been a whore or a John)

[mondo joe]

153. I guess I don't see what's so sad about a mutually agreed upon exchange between

two consenting parties.

:shrug:

It's no more exploitive, in and of itself, than buying a cake from a baker. I exploit the baker's skill, and the baker takes my money.

[mitchum]

162. But will the baker suck your cock if the price is right?

Not that there is anything wrong with that...

I dont't feel that prostitution is immoral nor do I think think that it should be illegal. I just feel, and once again, this is only my opinion, that there is something inherently sad about someone having sex with someone else for money. And someone paying someone else in order to have sex with them.
This commodification of sex is, in my opinion, an embrace of a PRE-sexual revolution mindset.
I'm a hedonist who came of age in the 1970s and perhaps I'm just a product of my time and experiences, but a monetary exchange for this particular pleasure seems alien and rather...old-fashioned to me.
I don't know if that made sense...

[mondo joe]

163. If the price is right, I'd guess so. It's still mutual exploitation.

I rather think what is precious or what is demeaning is subjective matter, and I'd rather not decide for anyone else.

[mitchum]

165. I am not deciding for them and never stated that I was doing so...

nor am I "gracing them with my pity", but merely stating my emotional perception of the transaction involved. The pricipals involved may not feel that way at all.

[ourbluenation]

194. I dont know...if either of my two kids became a prostitute, I'd be sad. n/t

[Captain Hilts]

141. Like the army, prostitution is 'manned' by an economic draft. Or by force.

Same thing here.

Prostitution is often under the greatest economic duress or by force.

[mondo joe]

154. I'd like some data to back up the claim that it is "often under the greatest economic

duress or by force", and I'd like to see data that confirms it is different in that way than other possible work.

[Hawaii Hiker]

135. Oh bull-shit it is not:

I think you believe that prostitution (and I've used this analogy alot here recently since this has been a popular topic since Vitter) is all seedy with a girl whose turning tricks in a Pinto in the Tenderloin area of San Francisco with an overweight/unattractive & mean client...Then she has to give her $$$ to Silky the Pimp & has to hope she doesn't get beaten by him....Does this scenario exist?...Sadly, it probably does...And when it's portrayed in media, this is the only side that's shown...

But there is also a very hign end side to escorting, & I say this w/absolute certainity.....There are girls who are model pretty, adult film stars, etc. who do escort, & they do so by CHOICE, there is no Silky the Pimp controlling them....And likewise, the clients they see do so by choice, no one is exploiting anyone!...I know one girl who travels the world w/clients, recieves expensive gifts, etc., she is having alot of fun, & she has a degree from a good school (not Ivy league but certainly 2nd. teir) , & she enjoys that lifestlye more than the 9-5 routine..

[mitchum]

139. I have known a wide variety of whores (and no, not on a professional basis)...

coke whores, call girls (I hade one as a roommate for a year in college), and even more than one "high end" escort. Doesn't matter, I still always saw the exploitation. Whether that is indeed "sad" or not, really is just a matter of opinion. And in my opinion, I found it sad on both sides of the transaction.

That being said:
Do I find it immoral? No.
Should it be legal? Yes.

Why?
People are going to do what they want to do. Or feel they have to do.

[pitohui]

150. most women aren't model pretty and those who are must be brain damaged to be whores

if you're model pretty you can marry a rich man and earn millions of dollars over your lifetime but not if you spoil yourself by smoking crack or having some other fool's child!

i'm guessing your friends are model pretty in your eyes because they are your friends but if they are model pretty and chose to be whores rather than wives then they are exceptionally stupid and there's a point at which i'm not capable of caring what happens to stupid people or their offspring since stupid people are the source of most of the world's troubles

the women i know in the sex trade are super smart but were not blessed by god w. good looks, if you are good looking and non crazy, you can marry and have a gig that potentially pays off for life, if you are a whore, the most likely reason is you are not of a class/age/level of appearance where you can be a wife

just my experience but no doubt i'm cynical this time of century being from new orleans

[Hawaii Hiker]

176. To pitohui:

You Said: "there's a point at which i'm not capable of caring what happens to stupid people or their offspring since stupid people are the source of most of the world's troubles"..

Now, that sounds exactly like something Rush Limbaugh would say...Are you a dittohead incognito here????...

In the escort world (and I'm not counting the streetwalking scene as I described in the last post), prices range from roughly $150-$2000+/hour depending on a host of factors....When you get into 4 digits for one hour, the girl is either a true model, an adult film star, or she has credits...Credits means film/TV/video appearances, or she's been in Penthouse/Playboy, etc....

The one girl I've known the last 4 years has had offers from sugar dadies, but she doesn't want to be tied down (ok, insert joke here, "tied down" - HA, HA)to anyone....

Look, I'm not dumb, I know some girls escort to fund drug habits, & some had a lousy upbringing....But I don't think it's fair to generalize ALL escorts as druggies and all clients as social misfits...(Remember Heidi Fleiss, most of her clients were Hollywood types who should certainly be able to get a date!)....

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

168. I'm sure a high priced porn star escort like Nina Hartley would disagree

I'm always fascinated by this discussion.......feminists vs. feminists......exploitation vs. my body and my right.

[mitchum]

171. I've met Nina Hartley and she is far more the exception than the rule

she is truly very intelligent
she actually has education and training in another highly skilled non-sex worker field, but she got into the business because she truly enjoys sex (not because "it's the only way I can make the big bucks", "coke doesn't grow on trees", "I need to be wanted", etc...)
Her escort rates are contingent upon the fact that she has indeed been a well known performer for over 20 years- there are many types of starfuckers out there. It's safe to wager that few escorts of Hartley's age without that "star" factor would, or do, fare as well as she.

[librechik]

62. yes--no union and it operates in secrecy

they should legalize it, give the workers decent benefits, and remove the stigma on both the workers and the customers. The secrecy allows for abuse of all kinds.

[roody]

63. If prostitution were legal, the status of women

would improve. A friend said, "The relationship between a prostitute and his or her john is the most honest one there is. Government should get out of our private lives.

[JacquesMolay]

67. No, but I can't afford it...

...:)

[Madspirit]

68. As a Feminist I Believe Prostitution should be legal

It provides oversight. It keeps the women AND the Johns safe. There hasn't been one case of AIDS in the brothels outside Las Vegas. ...and as a feminist, I believe your body belongs to YOU and that what two consenting adults do with their bodies is NO one else's FUCKING BUSINESS.

Lee

[Behind the Aegis]

77. I agree.

I see lots of moralizing in this thread, so much so, it looks like a conservative site. Everyone so concerned about someone "stepping out on the wife" and such. I view it the same way as I do the porn industry, it should be legal and have oversights, as you say. Legalizing it may also help with reporting and prosecuting crimes such as rape.

[Madspirit]

82. They're either fascists or naive fools

If women think keeping prostitution illegal will make their men not step out on them, it doesn't even make sense. Prostitution is already illegal and their men still step out on them. Making it legal will just insure that their men don't bring home AIDS.

A lot of judgmental fools here. I have many friends in the sex trades and they feel fine about it.
Lee

[Behind the Aegis]

89. I agree, again.

Not that I have any statistical proof, but personal experience, is that men cheating on their spouses rarely employ sex workers and are more likely to rely on the 'kindness of strangers' or a close friend. It really isn't that hard to get laid. Legalized prostitution would cut down on rapes, violence, and robbery, IMHO. I don't understand the personal chagrin that a few are expressing here. Two consenting adults can swing from the rafters for all I care, who are they hurting?

[w8liftinglady]

136. I agree.I worked as a dominatrix in college

and while there was no "sexual contact"...it was prostitution,nonetheless.Human sexuality is complicated.Consensual adults should be allowed to express themselves as they need,within the confines of the law.

[Chovexani]

143. This feminist agrees

I'd never go into prostitution myself but regardless I think whatever consenting adults do is none of my business. Legalize it, tax it, unionize it. It's the best way to protect the workers and society at large. Prohibition does far worse damage than legalization ever would.

[Madspirit]

172. "Prohibition does far worse damage than legalization ever would."

EXACTLY. Same with pot. Pot and Prostitution...legalize.
Lee

[Madspirit]

72. I Did A Poll Here Once

...and over 90% of us think it should be legal.
Lee

[SoCalDem]

73. Nope.. I do object to people shooting their mouths off and creating laws that make it illegal

WHILE they are doing it themselves :)

[Neshanic]

76. My thoughts exactly.

[NC_Nurse]

75. Only if they spew RW "Family Values" BS about

abstinence and faith in marriage. Then, yes it's wrong.
Can they at least live by their own rules?

I would be more understanding if they had those values personally, but didn't push them on others.
Sometimes people don't live up to there won values. It's human. I don't understand people who criticize
others and try to control others all the while doing the same things they are against. :wtf:

[blues90]

79. My answer is this

Maybe I'm old fashioned . I don't have a probelm with escorts and the like however if you are married then I believe in being faithful to your partener . If one chooses top look for sex elsewhere then tell your spouse or get a divorce or figure out if you both agree with outside relations then for that .

Personally I have never cheated and don;t intend to , I don't like the idea of lying in a relationship . I don't desire walking around with the guilt .

There are all sorts of situations to include here so people can do as they please , they will do so anyway depending on their desires .

What's the point of marriage if it turns sour .

[Madspirit]

87. That's Nice

...but what does it have to do with prostitution? <g>

People are going to cheat if they are going to cheat. Making it legal thus having oversight, will just guarantee that the man doesn't bring AIDS home to the family. There hasn't been a single case of AIDS in the legal brothels outside of Las Vegas.

Lee

[XOKCowboy]

95. Not only the ones outside Vegas

but in all of the houses in Nevada. Not only just AIDS but no HIV or any other major STD. The women see a doctor before they go to work and once a week while at work. There are also strict laws mandating condom usage.

How do I know? One of my best friends used her earnings as a legal prostitute to pay her way through college and to set herself up in business. She is one of those people that loves sex and loves making people happy. She's got some amazing stories from her days in the business. She's also a hard core liberal.

[Madspirit]

99. Thank-you!

One of my best friends hooked her way through grad. school. She now has a PhD in Psychology. I have always had friends in the sex trades and they feel fine about it.
Lee

[XOKCowboy]

114. That's funny...

My friend got her degree in Psychology. As a matter of fact she went to the old Mustang Ranch at first on a UNR field trip for her Psych class and thought HMMMMMMMMM!

I know of another lady who set herself in a very lucrative real estate business (not a realtor, a buyer) after she retired and another that has a very successful bookstore in a western city's downtown district.

This is not to say that all sexworkers in Nevada walk away successful and happy. Many don't but those that do will tell you that they'd never have been able to make that kind of money anywhere else without a) a degree and b) YEARS spent working her way up the corporate ladder or c) truly prostituting herself by marrying rich. There's a reason it's called The Oldest Profession. It's been castigated and criminalized throughout history but has never been stopped.

[entanglement]

132. I support legalization

But let's also realize there's a HUGE amount of global trafficking in women that goes on - and it needs to be tackled by the horns. Otherwise you end up with a situation like Germany - German women are no longer exploited but the same can't be said about poorer women from Eastern Europe and Asia, many of whom were kidnapped / coerced into prostitution in Germany.

[blues90]

126. Over sight ?

There will always be prostitution on the streets and who there be to give this over sight , there are not enough police to control the crimes we have . Same thing with drugs , who's going to provide over sight there ?

We can't even have the FDA keep our food safe .

Not that I disagree with you , i just don't see it ever happening .

Sex is not done with prostitutes either , there are plenty of regular couples cheating and who knows if they play it safe .

Nothing is safe and nothing is truely regulated and this is a crime .

[Jed Dilligan]

80. Whenever I'm solicited by prostitutes,

it leaves me with an icky feeling. I know it's not for me. But I think it should be legal and regulated. Cocaine isn't for me either, but I think it should be legal and regulated. It's the people who mix up their personal feelings with what's best for society that perpetuate the criminalization and hence the abuse.

[enigmatic]

88. no n/t

[PassingFair]

90. "Using" is the operant term here.

I don't USE people. Period.

I am female, by the way. I can't imagine
buying sex.

If I'm looking for physical stimulation, I have hands.

[NaturalHigh]

91. No. Live and let live.

As long as you're not cheating on your spouse, I don't think it's a big deal.

[mitchtv]

92. Nothing wrong whatsoever

vapid,empty sex can be fun , if unsatisfying

[Mythsaje]

93. Just another example of a "consensual crime"

that shouldn't really be a crime at all.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

96. there was a fascinating case in Illinois

a rich couple were having marital - er - boredom. The hubby pushed wifie into having threesomes, in the hopes that would rekindle their own sexual attraction.

well, the good little woman ended up falling in love with one of the lovers and decided to divorce hubby.

He just sued the liitle woman and her new lover for alienation of affections, because his plan to have threesomes was TOO suck-cess-fool.
Front page Chicago Suntimes from a few weeks ago. Hillarious story, unless you are personally involved.

OK, so it has little to do with your point, with which I completely agree, but I thought I would add my 1.34 cents for the hell of it.

[Mythsaje]

97. I've heard of this...

"Alienation of affection" is an interesting basis for a lawsuit, isn't it?

[Manifestor_of_Light]

159. Alienation of affection is no longer recognized as a cause of action in a lawsuit.

So there. It's been thrown out. A long time ago.

And yes I AM a lawyer and I do NOT play one on TV.

[fishwax]

166. not true in all states

Illinois is one of the states that still recognizes alienation of affection, I believe ...

[JVS]

100. consenting adults behind closed doors = nobody's business

[DutchLiberal]

103. In essence, I would say 'no', BUT...

...often women who are into prostitution are forced to do it. I believe in Amsterdam, an estimated 8% of the women in the business are illegal, put there by criminals, forced to do what they do.

Two years ago, a Dutch alderman was forced to resign after it became public that he visited prostitutes of which he could've known that they might be working illegally and against their will.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

107. I Don't Think It's A Social Good Nor Do I Think It Should Be Illegal

It's behavior that probably should be discouraged but putting the john or prostitute in the hooskow or by driving it underground for fear that might happen does more harm than good...

[Madspirit]

115. What Should Be Discouraged?

I see nothing wrong with it from either side as long as it's truly consensual.
Lee

[DemocratSinceBirth]

127. There Are All Kinds Of Sex Workers From Streetwalkers To Highly Paid Escorts

I don't think the women who trick themselves out for $20.00 to support a crack or meth habit are doing it of their own volition...

[DemocratSinceBirth]

182. If A Young Woman Or A Young Man Asked My Opinion About Becoming A Prostitute Or Escort Or

procuring one I would strongly counsel against it....

That being said I don't think you should be put in the hooskow for being one or using one...

[in_cog_ni_to]

108. Nope. I have a problem with hypocrites who claim to be religious, moral and have better better

values than others. Those are the people who deserve to be exposed. Hey, they're the ones who pass judgment on anyone who hold different morals and values than they do. Leave me alone, I'll leave you alone. It's really so simple.

As for Mr. average Joe, I don't give a crap what he does. It's not my business. If he's married, that's his wife's problem, not mine.

[camero]

116. What about women and men who marry for money?

Isn't that a form of prostitution in itself?

[XOKCowboy]

169. WATCH OUT THERE! Now you're getting personal...

Of course I agree with you. It's like Randi Rhodes says in her commercials. What's the difference between Marilyn Monroe singing "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend" and coming to a consensual agreement to have sex for money?

[Warren DeMontague]

118. Personally, I think it's a little sad. But Consenting adults should have the right to make their own

decisions about their own bodies.

Ideally, it should be like pot- legal, regulated, and taxed.

[Vidar]

119. As long as the prostitutes are not under some form of coersion.

[Hekate]

120. I hope to gods the stinking hypocrisy of it all brings the Publicans & Sinners Party down

My fervent hope. Prosecute them all for crimes that are on the books, convict them in the court of public opinion, and throw them out of office in a wave of disgust. THEY impeached President Bill Clinton for NOTHING, as compared to what these jerks have been doing. Go get 'em.

Now, as to your original question: the older I get, the more I am in favor of leaving consenting adults alone. I am entitled to my opinion that diaper fetishists and sado-masochists are disgusting, but they are entitled to conduct their games in privacy. The law of the land should be about protecting children (always) and protecting adults from coercion and bodily harm.

It would be worthwhile to investigate how Amsterdam handles prostitution. It's not an ideal job by any means, but it shouldn't have to be degrading and dangerous.

I'd like to see sex-workers in this country come under the protection of the law, and not be persecuted by it. Put the pimps out of business. License sex-workers and insist on regular medical care.

And then leave consenting adults alone.

Hekate

[Pushed To The Left]

121. I agree. The government has no place penalizing adults for consensual sex.

However, I do think it's morally wrong for married people to do this, but I would have the same opinion about any type of infidelity (unless the couple are "swingers" and both know about it).

[Alexander]

123. If you're married and have kids? HELL YES!

Think of what Vitter's kids will have to go through. His wife is humiliated, to say nothing of the risk of spreading STDs.

If you're going to fuck around like that, don't bother to get married.

[Perky]

157. Thank you N/t

[KG]

125. never understood why it was illegal.

[LostInAnomie]

128. As long as it is between consenting adults then it is none of our business.

I really don't understand the posters in this thread that think all sex is automatically demeaning or coerced. :crazy:

[dave29]

129. Prostitution should be completely outsourced.

just like my job was.

My point: It doesn't matter what kind of professional you are, you can be exploited and dehumanized. More importantly, it can be dangerouds to your health, mental, physical, you name it, no matter what profession.

These arguments are bogus, as there is always someone who will do the job, if it means getting to eat.

My two cents.

[treestar]

130. No but RW nutjobs condemn everyone else for being involved

in it, so when they get caught, no mercy!

[entanglement]

131. Good idea to legalize - Also wish international trafficking of women is tackled seriously

It is a terrible problem and a shame that it continues unchecked.

[Bluerthanblue]

138. Escorts are kind of

small, and not all that fuel efficient.
:7
I've never driven a prostitute.
:P

(sorry)

[Art_from_Ark]

183. Believe it or not, there actually is a Japanese car called "LaPuta"

which means "The Prostitute" in Spanish!

[Ezlivin]

142. Are we supposed to speak from personal experience?

The wording of your question implies it...

:)

[pitohui]

147. the wife didn't consent to it

the problem is that you are sharing a disease history w. everyone you sleep with and now, with DNA, you are sharing the cost of raising a child for 24 years and putting him thru college -- which i hear behind the barn wendy vitter's husband already has to pay for one such illegitimate child

i'm sorry, but the wife did not agree to 1) be infected w. any disease this lady who is v. social when it comes to disease cares to spread, nor did she agree to 2) give up a huge chunk of her financial future to pay for an unplanned brat

once you marry there is no such thing as consent, your partner don't get the opportunity to comment and is acting based on a voluntary contract you didn't have to agree with, you fuck up multiple lives when you screw around

wives don't consent to be infected w. hpv/cervical cancer, herpes, or hiv/aids and not even have a night to remember out of it

they don't consent to work overtime at a shitty job because their husband can no longer care for them because he's supporting multiple brats

i'm sorry, in my view, as far as i'm concerned, i believe the penalty for being a "john" should be immediate vasectomy

having to raise another woman's kids -- the kids of a woman who fucked your husband -- should be grounds for the woman being able to gun down the husband and remove his you know and not necessarily in that order

he didn't have to marry her, he did it to look good on the job, screw him

if he had any human decency he would shoot himself for being such a loser that even as a u.s. congressman he still had to PAY for it

well you DID ask

if you're a single man who never plans to marry and always uses a rubber, fine, pay for it if you're such a total loser you can't get it otherwise, but once you have somehow deceived a wife into thinking you're a real man...i'm sorry, i think the bobbit option isn't unfair for destroying someone's financial future and possibly their health w. your dick

you ALWAYS had the option not to marry, but you were a coward, you wanted the beard AND you wanted to stick it anywhere you chose...sorry, mr. vitter, if i was god, do not pass go, do not collect $200

[Sanctified]

167. Where did he mention a wife?

And have you heard of this amazing new technology that helps prevent the sharing of disease history, they are called condoms and are really amazing.

[LWolf]

148. Not at all.

I would add "single" to your description. "Consenting, single adults." I don't approve of cheating.

I think there would be less cheating if our culture did not cling to the idea that a person is less "whole," less "fulfilled" without a partner, without a monogamous commitment, without the lifetime commitment that so many find it so hard to honor.

People would have to be more secure in themselves, I guess.

For many of those who choose to be independent of a "partner," clean, safe, sex is still important. The "escort" thing is a toss-up.

In a culture that didn't discriminate against single people, escorts would not be necessary. As a single person, I can tell you that there are many social situations that are just fine for single people. Still, in the long run, all of your partnered friends, male and female, will inevitably want to do the "we're having a get together and bring your significant other" thing. If there are a variety of un-partnered people there, that's fine. If you are the only one, it can be a pain. People act differently, and treat you differently, when they attend a social function "together," as a pair, than they do on their own. Even the most enlightened. I've found that the best thing to do in this case is to bring someone with you. It makes everybody else more comfortable. Except that they then all want to know if the relationship is more than platonic, and, if so, why you don't have a non-platonic relationship.

In informal situations, I don't see a need for an escort. In a formal situation, one in which your social, political, or professional status might be affected, I can see why someone might do that. Or, an escort might just serve to shut the people who are always trying to "fix you up" up.

[Madspirit]

179. "I don't approve of cheating"

Oh OK...so I guess it will stop now. From this day forward NO one will cheat because you don't approve of it. :rofl:

Why are you putting your morality on someone else. If YOU don't want to go to a hooker or be a hooker...don't. You have all these..."and the best thing to do in this situation and the best thing to do blah blah blah blah.." You can really only speak for you.

If YOU don't want an escort or don't want to be an escort...woohoohoo...Freedom news...you don't have to. Keep your morality out of other people's business.

...and there has not been a single case of STDs in the brothels outside Vegas. Legalization, regulation...consenting adults.
Lee

[LWolf]

193. I don't think you read my post very carefully before replying.

You seem to be having a comprehension problem.

The question posted in the OP is:

"Do you find anything wrong with using escorts and prostitutes?"

My answer:

"Not at all." I don't find anything wrong with using escorts and prostitutes. Did you understand that?

I did then qualify my answer with a remark about cheating. You are right about this: I only speak for myself. I think cheating is dishonest and dishonorable, and I don't respect people who engage in it. If saying so is "putting my morality on someone else," then I guess I'm going to do so, because I'll sure as hell say what I think. SPEAKING FOR MYSELF, OF COURSE, I THINK CHEATING IS DISHONEST AND DISHONORABLE, AND I DON'T RESPECT PEOPLE WHO ENGAGE IN IT.

[hiaasenrocks]

158. No. This is one are where the "it's a woman's body..." argument

isn't trotted out very often by the hypocrites.

Fascists on the left and right want to control what people do with their bodies in the privacy of their own homes.

[TankLV]

160. I don't go around staking my whole existence on condemning others' sexual escapades.

It doesn't matter what I think.

It's the HYPOCRISY...

[Sanctified]

164. I see nothing wrong with prostitution as long as both adults are consenting.

I can pay a guy to use his body and dig a ditch for me, I can pay a woman to use her body and clean my house. Why can't I pay someone to use their body to bring me pleasure?

[AZBlue]

173. I have a huge issue with the fact that it's one of the few places a woman can earn good money.

(obviously I'm not talking about street corner prostitutes but agency-type call girls, the ones like the DC Madam managed, which is what this post is about I'm assuming)

But what someone does in their bedroom between consenting adults is up to them.

[XOKCowboy]

175. You make a very valid point

My friend earned her way through college and set herself up in business by working in a Nevada brothel. She has said many times that there is no way she'd have been able to have made that kind of money anywhere else. I think that says something very negative about the equal employment opportunities in America if you're a woman.

[AZBlue]

196. I have a friend who's a CPA.

She's now dancing in a strip club because she's a single mom of two adorable girls and makes far more money there than in accounting. Very very sad!

[mondo joe]

185. I don't know which options young men would have that young women wouldn't.

It's an option young men generally don't have (other than in some gay markets).

[Skittles]

174. certainly it should be legal

but it is demeaning and degrading to buy someone to use as a semen receptacle

[Madspirit]

180. Legalize, Regulate...Make It Safe

As a long time feminist. As a 53 year old adult. Here's what I suggest:

Keep your morality out of other people's business. If you don't like cheating well don't cheat but prostitution is already illegal and people are cheating like fiends.

Quit bringing up slavery, women forced into it, something that is already a crime. We're not talking about slavery. We're talking about legalized and regulated prostitution. Slavery won't suddenly become legal if we legalize prostitution. Slavery is a crime in itself.

If you think sex is so very special and no one in YOUR Wonderland will ever ever cheat and no one will ever be hurt and no one will ever feel a lonely need and everyone will have their very own painted pony and a white picket fence and shucks man, makes me want to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony...and we will only have monogamy for ever after and life is a lollipop, well good for you. ...but that is only YOUR version of life. That's YOUR reality. It's not everyone's. Don't try to shove it down everyone's throat. Ahhh...what! Not everyone even WANTS that. Really, it's true. Not everyone even wants that. Got it?

There has not been a single case of STDS in the brothels outside Vegas. Legalization, regulation...consenting adults. It doesn't cause crime. It PREVENTS crime. The women have health insurance, strict condom rules, they stay safe and unbeaten and unraped and the Johns don't take AIDS home to the wife.

Prositution is not going anywhere. Ever. Period. As long as we have sex organs and we use them, there will be prostitution. Some of us have no problem with that and do not think anything is wrong with it.

Grow up. Keep your laws off MY body. Fix your own marriage. If hubby is looking elsewhere, well, the problem isn't with the "elsewhere". The problem is with the marriage.

Lee

[bluestateguy]

181. Prostitution should be legalized and regulated

Tax it like they tax liquor and tobacco. Make the sex workers get liscences and examinations. Require customers to wear condoms.

The way Nevada does it works.

Oh, and decriminalize drugs too (for adults).

[Mushroom]

184. choosing for others is kewl

I was of the opinion that men "used" prostitutes because they were simply whores.

You know, there are many Average Joes who are behind in their child support, mortgage payments, credit card payments, health insurance, or who can't afford to put food on their families, so being used by republican men/politicians is a valid career move imho. Just practice safe consentual penetration and fondling, depending on the needs of your horny, bulbous john of course, and hopefully, prostitution will become legal as a support system. It's your body; you should be able to do with it as you wish, and since I'm for equality, you should have the same options as women. And it isn't like you guys have modesty issues, eh? you dirty dogs. winkywinky

Y'all have a good one, fellers, and don't fret your pretty little heads over losing moral authority over your children; there's plenty of strangers out there willing to give you free advice or even to take over. It's Sunday, Walmart is open, and don't forget to grab yerself a sale flier before selecting that new wardrobe for your exciting new career. If you need help accessorizing, don't be afraid to ask your girlfriends and wives. Or rent Pretty Woman, not Cheap CrackWhore for the Average Joe, while you're shopping at the family values store.

Happy hunting!

(never thought the day would come when DU men thought DU women and ALL women were lower than, were a toilet for, Republican men.)

[JNelson6563]

186. Nah, nothing wrong with it.

Just like I don't have a problem if people want to smoke pot or whatever. When it becomes "wrong" is when the person doing the illicit sex or illegal drugs has a public position and use it to denounce those who do what they do.

It's not the act, it's the hypocrisy. :toast:

Julie

[terrya]

187. I don't see anything wrong with it at all.

A caveat: said prostitutes or escorts are over 21 years of age.

Otherwise, the only problem I have is using prostitutes and escorts while being oh so holier than thou about morality.

[porphyrian]

189. As long as the prostitutes are doing so of their own free will.

It should be legal and regulated (for health reasons, not persecution and John listing). People with a moral objection to the practice are free to refrain from participation.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

190. i do when men keep prostitution illegal and make women vulnerable to cops/johns/ law

and then use these women for their amusement.

[madokie]

191. shoot no I don't

hell if I thought there was any demand for a guy who has learned to balance a rope by necessity I would be an escort myself. but since there isn't I won't. sex is a necessary pleasure enjoyed by all life, imo

[burythehatchet]

192. Only when they don't disclose their dude-ness.

[Nikia]

195. Yes for many of the reasons stated especially if the john is married

Notice I did not say anything about my opinions on whether a prostitute should have a right to practice her trade legally.
Unlike most posters, "wrong" does not necessarily equal illegal. It does not mean that I think that anyone should go to hell either.
It means that I would judge a person a person who I found out used a prostitute and had no reservations about it and wouldn't hesitate to do it again. It does not mean that I would tell the said person that they were wrong. It does not mean that I would automatically ditch them as a friend. It means that I would feel that they were wrong in that and add it to everything else I know about this particuliar person.
I think a lot of other things that are legal that people do are wrong too. I don't think that there is anything wrong with having an opinion whether something is wrong or not. I'd rather have friends who believed that certain things were wrong and right.