What is wrong with having "red light districts" in America

a reply to: TrappedPrincess

Same as any other cash based business, it is based on declaring income.
I'm a self employed general builder and the majority of my work is paid in cash by customers. The UK government only knows what I receive every April when I declare it on my tax returns.
Some people are honest, some are not.
Prostitution would be no different.

*Edit*
Curiously prostitution is legal in the UK but soliciting for the business is a crime.
HMRC (the tax authorities here) already accept declared income from prostitution with no problem.

originally posted by: TrappedPrincess
Because how are you going to prove therefore tax the income?

a reply to: kaylaluv

How do you do it with any other business? You need a license for any legal business. No license and you get fined and/or put out of business. People still try to sell things under the table ( any product, not just sex), but a lot of people are wary of purchasing things that aren't regulated for quality, etc. Having a license means you have to pass certain health requirements. Once legitimate licences are given to brothels, I would imagine that would make them more palatable to the average Joe (or Mary) because of health certifications and all that. This might even increase business and bring more profit, which benefits the brothel. It's a win-win in my book.

You are missing the point, you can not inventory your body as to how many times you had sex. Lets say that it was legal everywhere which would make it an ideal activity to launder money. Again the gubment is not going to allow people to make money off of something they can't monitor, regulate therefore tax.

This is one of the issues with pot that it is so easy to grow anybody who put a little time into researching it could grow then sell it for unreported income. It is simple this is about money.

a reply to: grainofsand

Fair enough but the same thing would happen in this industry as pot, the legal places to buy it are exorbitantly over priced compared to Joe Blow down the street who has the same quality for cheaper.

a reply to: kaylaluv

a reply to: TrappedPrincess

What about people who do massage therapy? That is a legitimate business that requires a license, but other than a table and maybe some oils, only uses a person's hands. How do you inventory how many people your hands have touched?

a reply to: TrappedPrincess

No, your point is ridiculous.
For example, how does the government make an inventory of the number of ceilings I've plastered so far this year?
I bought the materials with cash, I got paid in cash, I rarely pay any of that cash into a bank account, and I declare it annually.

Where is the difference between me offering my service which the government has no idea about how much I do aside from my declaration, and a prostitute offering their cash based service?

Have you never been in business or self employed? You would see the obvious similarity if you had.

originally posted by: Necrobile
a reply to: Klassified

No, I think stupid fits the bill better. Ignorant implies that people just don't know any better. In my 36 years alive, I noticed that most people do know better, but still choose the other route.

For example, we're a society that teaches everyone from an early age to read, something that only people with privilege were able to do in the times of old. But, even though the majority know how to read, most choose not to. If you've ever worked in retail, you know what I mean.

I agree with you wholeheartedly! The word stupid is accurate and applicable in the US today. I am speaking about generalities here however the vast majority of the public are stupid to what is going on around them and they are happy with it that way.

a reply to: grainofsand

If brothels become legitimate businesses, I could see them not being cash only. I could see them taking any major credit card or bank debit card. I could see individual prostitutes benefitting from working for these businesses, as they could get health insurance, 401(k) plans, the works.

originally posted by: snowspirit
It was being discussed on the news in Canada about a week or so ago. The fellow that owns the Bunny Ranch franchise is trying to start business up here. It adds an element of safety for the girls and for that reason alone it makes a lot of sense.

The profession is not going away, so we should be making it safe.

Honestly this is my main argument for legalizing sex work. I don't know that this would go very far toward fixing the stigma aspect, but it would be safer if it were more out in the open and regulated.

I worked as a stripper in the 90's. It was one of the best jobs I ever had. I will say that I had to keep my head on because the pimps and the well... slavers, they were out there. I saw some horrendous stuff. Even though a gentleman's club was legit (legally speaking) they would still come in, even into the up-scale clubs (although there was less of it).

Criminalizing prostitution just drives it underground and let's the real predators take advantage of people. When it's not recognized as part of society and it is out of sight and out of mind these people get away with A LOT in those dark corners. Even worse, even when people see it they don't recognize it or in this bizarre way pretend not to.

Legalize it, regulate it, tax the crap out of it. It won't go away, ever so we should stop pretending like it has while these young women (and a few men as well) get completely exploited in the worst possible way. There is no recourse for them because it is "illegal". The courts victimize them again. Once they're there, there is no way out; whether they were fooled, chose it and changed their mind or were forced (because that does happen).

a reply to: kaylaluv

Oh I agree, but there will always be those who prefer to be paid cash, I am one of them although my trade is different.
Oh and if I was thinking of using a brothel I would not be using my bank debit card, ever, and I imagine many potential clients would prefer the anonymity of cash while using such a service.

They can audit you and all the supplies you have purchased used over time and determine their own figure as to what THEY think you should owe.

a reply to: grainofsand

This is also one of those careers that would be good for laundering money as well, good point. It is not as lucrative or frowned upon though.

a reply to: kaylaluv

a reply to: TrappedPrincess

Yes of course, but when I buy materials in cash and get paid in cash, the only thing the government can 'audit' is my account books, which of course is up to me and my honesty.
Perhaps the US system is incredibly efficient at catching fraud evasion, but the UK is not and it is rife among small business. Everyone bleats about corporate tax avoidance, but billions are lost from small business and sole traders every year.

Either way, your claim that prostitutes are less easy to regulate than other businesses is ridiculous in my opinion. Another member used the example of a massage therapist, whats the difference? Just hands instead of genitals.
I can get away without paying taxes or declaring work as easily as a prostitute.
How you cannot see the similarity that it is just a service like any other I don't understand.

originally posted by: grainofsand
a reply to: TrappedPrincess

Yes of course, but when I buy materials in cash and get paid in cash, the only thing the government can 'audit' is my account books, which of course is up to me and my honesty.
Perhaps the US system is incredibly efficient at catching fraud evasion, but the UK is not and it is rife among small business. Everyone bleats about corporate tax avoidance, but billions are lost from small business and sole traders every year.

Either way, your claim that prostitutes are less easy to regulate than other businesses is ridiculous in my opinion. Another member used the example of a massage therapist, whats the difference? Just hands instead of genitals.
I can get away without paying taxes or declaring work as easily as a prostitute.
How you cannot see the similarity that it is just a service like any other I don't understand.

*Edit*
I've a friend who is a mobile hairdresser paid in cash, she makes a fortune and can easily avoid paying any tax if she wants. She is as unregulated and difficult to audit as any prostitute yet her work is not banned for that reason.
Your original point that prostitution is banned because the government cannot tax it is fatally flawed in my opinion.

a reply to: grainofsand
Plaster and Booty is 2 different things.
To compare the 2 is "rridiculous".
No disrespect intended.

Ok guy, we don't agree so time to move on and past that.

a reply to: grainofsand

a reply to: RoadCourse

No, what is ridiculous is thinking that tax avoidance in the sex worker industry is any easier than in any other trade where people pay for the service in cash.
Your argument comparing plaster to booty is childlike and not what I stated.
...I do not take offence to silly arguments.

originally posted by: kaylaluv
a reply to: grainofsand

If brothels become legitimate businesses, I could see them not being cash only. I could see them taking any major credit card or bank debit card. I could see individual prostitutes benefitting from working for these businesses, as they could get health insurance, 401(k) plans, the works.

It's illegal in my state, yet a few of the "working girls" that I know take credit cards and even pay pal. I think the idea of legal and illegal sex between consenting adults is absurd. Live and let live, and don't even think about taxing sex. I say leagalize prostituction everywhere. If half of the ignorant ass hats that fight prostituction were honest, they would have to admit they have tried it. I suppose the leading opposition is self centered, unattractive, or unappealing women trying to reduce competition for their mans affectionate and resources.

originally posted by: TrappedPrincess
This is also one of those careers that would be good for laundering money as well, good point. It is not as lucrative or frowned upon though.

a reply to: kaylaluv

As are casinos, car washes, parking garages, etc. etc. We allow those businesses to be legit, why not allow brothels? I'm not saying there isn't a risk, but the advantages outweigh the risk of money laundering, in my opinion.

I'm with you it should be legalized, I think their may have been some confusion as to that just to be clear.

a reply to: kaylaluv


I got sidetracked trying to make sense of and defend my point to to multiple parties. So I don't think I really got to point out that I do agree and it should be legal. I was I guess trying to play devils advocate and look at it from the other side. I almost lost my cool with dude that kept calling my views ridiculous but no worries.