Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

Legal prostitution has its benefits

I read with interest the Las Vegas Sun’s Friday article headlined “Mayor keeps legalization debate going — He suggests prostitutes could be treated very well.”

Many may think legalizing prostitution is an insane idea, but, having lived in Amsterdam for five years, I believe this is a proper and effective way to get the prostitutes off the streets and to tax the services of the provider.

In Holland, virtually every city has a red light district. These are basically small businesses, owned and operated by the women performing the services. There are no pimps, criminal elements involved. The government oversees the assurance of health of the women, and collects taxes on their revenue.

It is a touchy subject for some, who may find it exploiting women. In actuality, it is allowing women to open a small business and, instead of doing the sexual activity in cars, alleys, etc., doing it in a red light district.

At first, for many who have never traveled outside the United States, this may seem immoral. But, to the many other countries of the world, how we seclude this practice and attempt to stop it increases the exposure to venereal diseases and the criminal elements.

I wouldn’t dismiss the mayor’s opinion as irrelevant on this subject, but seek to allow the change and discuss the options for an environment where the opportunity to be infected with VD, etc., would be null and void, and where tax revenue could be achieved. Not to mention small-business growth.

In Germany they have multiplex homes where the women ply their trade, and in Holland it is governed, taxed and medically supervised. Next to farming, it is the oldest profession!

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