Legalization of Prostitution in the United States

NOTE: Before we start, I would like to remind my opponent that I have full burden of proof. I thought I had written this in my first round, but I don't think I did. We may share it, too, if my opponent wants to write specific contentions of his own.I would personally like to give my gratitude and thank MonasheeMan for accepting this debate. I really do look forward to it. Victimless Crime As most of you should know, prostitution is the act of two consenting adults have sexual intercourse in exchange for money. Being a prostitute as well as using the services of them is the choice of the people involved and denying them the right to choose is violating the fact that this is a free (mostly) country where we are allowed to make our own decisions as long as it does not infringe upon others. Moreover, a prostitute can just as likely be a fully functioning member of society as anyone else. As long as they get regular STD tests, require condoms, (which they do in certain parts of Nevada) etc., it should bear no harm on anyone including the consenting adults. Casual Sex is Already Rampant (and Morality) People have casual sex all the time nowadays. Legalizing prostitution will not worsen the sacredness of sex because of this. Additionally, morality should not come into play when making laws as it is not the government's job to tell us what is morally right and wrong. Another common contention on the con side is that it will ruin the sacredness of virginity, however that is already refuted earlier. Also, common sense tells us it is not likely that a virgin would be working as a prostitute. Look at Certain Counties in Nevada (STD Rates) Repeated research has confirmed that the STD rates are not any more rampant there than they are anywhere else. In fact, the rates are reduced. Because it is legalized there, it is regulated by the government. Furthermore, because it is legal, there is no reason to hide the brothels or make an underground market where sleazy men go with unprotected, untested women illegally. This significantly decreases the STD rates among Nevada prostitutes. When a brothel is legally run and has the aid of the government, the women are usually clean contrary to popular belief. Other prostitutes are only dirty b/c it is illegal. I will go into more depth in later contentions. In Nevada they require the men to use condoms and they require that the women are tested for STDs frequently. “We see very little STDs among the working girls in these brothels,” says Dr. Randall Todd, who as state epidemiologist is in charge of tracking sexually transmitted diseases. “Brothel sex is extremely low-risk, probably a lower risk than to pick up someone in a bar whom you don't know.” http://www.overdriveonline.com... It Would Reduce Violence Against Prostitutes and Help them be Safer If legalized, prostitutes will no longer be controlled by pimps who force the women to give them their money in exchange for their safety. Underground prostitution would no longer be widespread. Usually the women are also too afraid to have the aid of law enforcers as prostitution is illegal. Legalizing it will help the prostitutes be safer and to gain the needed help of law enforcers. Police officers are also overburdened trying to crack down and find prostitutes. Money is being wasted in trying to teach law enforcers how to crack down on men and women engaging in a victimless crime. Not a single legal brothel employee has tested positive HIV since 1986, however more than 500 illegal brothel workers in Las Vegas (where it is still illegal) have tested positive with the virus. It would Help the Economy and Create Jobs It would create jobs for obvious reasons and would dramatically help the sluggish economy. Making it a legitimate job would allow for tax money to pay off taxes. http://voices.yahoo.com... http://ireport.cnn.com... It's Always Going to be There Prostitution is probably the oldest profession out there (or at least one of them). The world will arguably never be able to get rid of them, so we may as well decriminalize it. Prostitution is like any other profession. A doctor gives someone a shot so that they can no longer be harmed by a virus. In turn money is given to the doctor. A prostitute gives someone sex, so that they can pleasure the customer. In turn money is given to to the prostitute. See the similarity? It's like any other job. Most arguments against this should be refuted earlier in this round. I thank my opponent as well as any readers out there for reading this. With all that said and done, Con, you now have the floor.