Letter: Let’s legalize prostitution

Thursday, June 7, 2001 | 8:24 a.m.

The first thought to occur to me while reading about Mayor Oscar Goodman's proposal to require health cards for adult entertainers was how a supposedly illegal activity can be regulated by law. What's next, requiring a vendors license for drug dealers or levying sales tax on call girls?

The city is basically acknowledging its failure, or more properly, society's and law enforcement's failure, to bring prostitution under control. Without a doubt, I believe prostitution is destructive and degrading to customers and "service providers," as well as to the larger society.

However, I also believe that wide-open, nonstop casino gambling and excessive drinking, especially among young people, is destructive and harmful. Possibly, it's about time for the city and county to lobby the state Legislature to legalize prostitution in Clark County in licensed, inspected, safe, well-regulated brothels to protect the safety of the women involved in the trade and prevent their clients from contracting and transmitting diseases.

Police and prosecutors have so much more to be concerned about, such as murder, rape, assault, armed robbery, and domestic/child abuse. Leave the consensual, moral issues to the churches and families, as has been done with gaming and alcohol.

Far more hurt is done to couples' well-being by lost paychecks than by an hour with an escort. It's time to rethink priorities.

KEITH MICHAELS