In light of the scandalous news about Governor Elliot Spitzer, the press and other online magazine sites are having a field day!

I read an article on slate.com entitled, "Why is Prostitution Illegal"?   Emily Bazelon examines the reasons why prostitution is illegal and/or why it should be legal.

She said that the reasons why it is illegal is because of it is exploitation of the women in the industry and it would only help the pimps who are the ones who exploit and demean these women. So the men who use their services don't do likewise?

Our government's stance on this is that making prostitution legal would be like a "modern-day slave trade and it would be demeaning" to women.  It would also create a bigger demand for human trafficking.

If that's the case, why is it legal in the state of Nevada?  I think everyone have heard about that infamous brothel there right, that ranch?  It's even a feature on HBO, a reality series (of sorts) featuring the women at the ranch and the men who visit them!  Oh yes, what happens in Vegas, obviously is broad-casted all over HBO!

The thing is, in a situation like for the ladies at that ranch who are willing and making their own 'millions' as they sometimes like to brag, under conditions that are suitable and that makes them happy, why couldn't it be the same everywhere else?

Are they being exploited?  Are they being demeaned?  Are they not happy?  A resounding no, no and yes!  Although many would probably disagree that they are because of the profession they are in, and possibly being demeaned because of what they might be asked to do by the men who seek them out.  However, for those women, since they are willingly participants, I would say they aren't being exploited!  They are in control and they are in a safe environment.

So given those circumstances, wouldn't it be alright to legalize it in other states, but under regulated conditions?

Or would it be too morally unacceptable to many of the law-abiding-bible-thumping people in our country?  It is legal in Australia, Germany and the Netherlands!

Would the women continue to be exploited, or wouldn't legalization mean that there would be less problems or would their be more because of it?

If there were city zoned areas, and policies that would mean prosecution if breached, wouldn't that be acceptable and make these women who choose to do this for a profession, be better off in the long run?   They would have the power to pick, choose and refuse who they don't want to do business with and they wouldn't be afraid of the law, especially if and when they need help, who usually would arrest them.  I believe this would in turn empower these women, because they would have better choices.  They could and would be treated better, at least the ones who feel they don't have a chance!

Prostitution is called the "oldest profession" and it surely is because it's been around for centuries!  While it was acceptable for a while back in the days of frontier land, it is unacceptable now that their are legal societies and laws that people have to live by!  It however will not go away as long as there are men who seek out these women and the women who do it because it is the fastest way to make a lot of bucks!

check out another article I did on prostitution sometime ago: http://wellness-serenity.joeuser.com/article/135405/The_Worlds_Oldest_Profession