This session, Rep. Grey of Mesa introduced a bill that would make both prostitution and solicitation a class 6 felony on the third conviction (that comes with six months in prison!) He told Phoenix Magazine this month that he's trying to protect families and neighborhoods, because, "Prostitution encouraged men to go against their vows and destroys families."
This bill seems to have died, but, as the American Taliban continues to seize more and more political power in this country, there may come a when this community will have to decide whether or not to get active. Do you believe the government should be spending the money it would take to put a lot more people in prison for consensual activity between adults? If not, will you be willing to contact your legislators and discourage the passage of bills like this in the future?
Just curious.
I hope it's an obvious answer....especially on this type of forum.
It's certainly going to need lots of support, as we all know!
You would think that in the world we live in today with all the openness and what's tolerated on TV, magazines, etc. that it wouldn't be such a big deal....that's what I have a hard time understanding!!!!
If that Mesa Republican wants to ban things that undermine relationships between men and women, perhaps he should vote to reinstate laws against notorious cohabitation, sodomy, and even the Internet (since that seems to be used to facilitate affairs a lot more than prostitution.) In fact, since he's from Mesa, perhaps he should write a law banning sheep within the city limits!
Don't think I'm kidding. Right now, a serious candidate for the Republicans in this state is Len Munsil. Here's a pretty good description of some of his accomplishments: http://www.libchrist.com/new2002/azpolicy.html. (I rarely quote Dave's site, but it's a good synopsis.) I've inserted a link to another long article below, and his group's website is www.azpolicy.org.
Personally, I will support candidates who believe in maintaining separate of church and state and protecting individual liberty, and I regularly fax letters to my legislators informing them of my views on bills.
Just FYI, if you become visible to your legislators only when a single issue comes up, you'll be a lot less influential than if you get them used to hearing from you first, with thoughtful, even informative letters or calls. If they know you as a person with something worth listening to, you'll be more effective when the really big issues come up.
Would this community really just lay back and allow itself to be screwed by the government. I know we're kinda used to that behavior, but seriously people, can't you think of a way you could influence the legislature away from such bills without outing your hobby/profession?
To quote Plato: "The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men."
Seems few really want to stand up against making more severe the penalty for repeated violation of the standing law? Here, or in the legislature apparently.
We all risk enough just to be players in this game-I for one won't call unnecessary attention to myself arguing that the punishment for what is, at the moment, a CRIME shouldn't be so stiff. After the 3rd time one is convicted of it.
I imagine that's a prevalent sentiment-otherwise we'd just all post under our real names, rather than handles and aliases.
Rail rather against the useless need for the religous right in this country to perpetuate the myth that in order to save society we must maintain as illegal/imoral/wrong/punishable the world's oldest profession.
That it shouldn't be illegal in the first place is a far more philosophically consistent position than the one you suggest.
With all due respect, of course. I don't disagree with you in principle, simply in your call to arms in this instance.
I also don't agree with everything Dave of Phoenix advocates, but legalizing and legitimizing sexwork is at least something I can pay lip service to here in the safety of my anonymous cloak.
Plato also said:
"You are young, my son, and, as the years go by, time will change and even reverse many of your present opinions. Refrain therefore awhile from setting yourself up as a judge of the highest matters."
And the one I truly take to heart:
"No human thing is of serious importance."
One JAFO's opinion.
First and foremost thanks for bring this to our attention, we in the choir are ill served by such efforts to say the least. In MHO the two places were government should be lease activity and concerned is my wallet and my bedroom! Within the political arena moral legislation is as just as offensive as social tinkering but like gravity are nearly impossible forces to resist. The best and worse thing about our system of government is the peoples voice in the process. My belief is the vast majority of rational people are not concerned about who I’m doing and when. But the politically energized forces on both ends of the spectrum know to be seen is to be heard. Leaders for these factions know to play to their base and drawing attention to themselves is the path to maintaining their power. I have no problem with people within the system advocating, getting elected and acting on what they feel is right. But when their position is an old bone boiled in a well temper pot and served from the left or the right; rationally I’ll pass.
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