The US Politics |OT|

[sundin13]

Jaicee said:

Bofferbrauer2 said:

The thing about prostitution is, that your information is either outdated or plain wrong.

For instance, sex trafficking dropped quite a lot after prostitution got legalized in Germany.

Also, it was very beneficial for the prostitutes themselves, for several reasons:

1. Pimps are not just still outlawed, but at the same time their punishments got increased a lot.
2. Prostitutes can now safely go to the police when they are threatened. Before, they would have locked the prostitute up on the spot, making them think twice about spilling the beans of their harassers and pimps.
3. They got full healthcare coverage like any other German citizen.
4. Since it was the pimps who drugged them to keep them compliant, drug usage has also dropped a lot when they got cut out of the loop. Additionally, they now have access to drug therapies due to the healthcare coverage.
5. German bordellos are very clean and safe. Drug usage is strictly forbidden in them. From what I know they are closer to some 3 or 4 star hotels inside, nothing compared to the usual sleaziness that was before. That makes it safer for both the prostitutes and their clients.

As you can see, the big winners out of it were the prostitutes, the big losers the pimps. Of course, the pimps did not die out, but it's getting more and more difficult for them as the prostitutes don't have to fear the police anymore for calling them out.

As for the pornography, I see where you come from with your argument, but I think you overshoot a bit. Also keep in mind that there's porn from women by women for women. It's still pretty rare since, let's face it, most clients are male, but also steadily a growing movement.

Btw, did you know that the German prostitutes right's association is called Hydra? Gives the Hail Hydra from Marvel comics and movies a whole new spin

See my response to the-pi-guy here for further commentary because I don't feel like repeating myself. This is me against everyone else in this community and I just don't have the time or energy to individualize all my replies to the similar points and arguments, especially considering how low the likelihood of anyone changing their mind appears to be.

I'll say I don't disagree with you about some points.

I have a lot of caution when it comes to legalizing prostitution. There are too many warning signs in other countries who have legalized prostitution and even when legal, the industry often isn't really healthy. In my opinion, the ideal end goal is reaching a point where prostitution is both legal and healthy (and I don't believe you can have the latter without the former), but I don't know how realistic that goal is. If legalization promotes more bad outcomes than good, it is not a step I believe we should take. That said, trafficking isn't the only point of focus here. We also have to pay mind to the general well being of those within the industry, which tends to improve with legalization. Those two points should be weighed against each other to reach the most positive conclusion.

As for the rest, I would say that it is impracticable at the least. You aren't going to outlaw porn, so I'd have to ask what legislative changes would you propose in order to right these perceived wrongs?

And I'll conclude by saying this. When you come in swinging with big controversial ideas, you are going to be asked to defend them. Often we have mostly right v left debates, but if you are bringing radical leftist ideas, you are going to be challenged by this forum's leftists. That's one of the things I like about the left. We aren't shy about debating each other. I feel there are so many unsavory elements in the modern right that even moderates on the right kind of have to cover their ears and ignore it in order to justify their continued support of the right. So, I want to say, don't feel bad that it seems like everyone it attacking you. This is just healthy political discourse doing what it is supposed to do!