would spend half as much time investigating crimes against people as they spend on crusades that are patently unconstitutional, there would be a lot fewer incidents that brought about this current hysteria.

Has anyone noticed that repression against the hobby seems to coincide with financial hard times?

Those websites are just an advertising source.  Not babysitters for consenting adults.

and upheld the constitution no matter how unpopular the decission is.
The DAs are all just pissed cuz when they "play fair" they can't seem to make it stick or put a significant dent in their war against prostitution. Its always been here, will always be here they need to stop pouting and focus on some real crimes for a change. This is rediculous.
Now the next DA who tries to persue CL on this matter will have more difficulty. Good for CL.

are the strongest in nature.  People (Men and Woman) wish to have sex.  You cannot legislate against that.  All the legislation to prevent it, every thing from acts against homosexuality to prostitution fail in the understanding that sex, between two consenting adults cannot be stopped.  

Real crimes??  There are plenty, but it actually takes time and balls to go after them.  AND lets face it, Many Many times we see a high profile guy taken down, and a big "oh we got the list of the agency and we're gonna take 'em all down" and then SILENCE!!  Why, cause guess what - our numbers are hugh, and getting larger by the minute.... and what happens in those instances is a "big boy" grabs the prosecutor by the short hairs and says, "this far, and no further"

Lets face it, there are very highly place men and women in law enforcement and politics who ARE a part of our community....   I suspect that they secretly protect us....

yea, baby, the legalization of our hobby is a commin, I can feel it in me bones... or boner...

I wonder if there will be any more changes to CL.

I posted this on the board many times, the biz is better without providers/hobbyist advertising where grandma sells her keepsakes.  it brings  attention that none of us want.

For the simple fact that it would be treated like ciggerettes...the sin tax.  Which in some state are 50% of the cost.

Actually, I think it is expensive because it is illegal.
How much do you think gas would cost if it was illegal?  
How much do you think booze cost during Prohibition?
Competition brings out the best in us and also drives down prices.
At the very least, we would get the most bang for our buck.
I say, bring it on.

If they actually prosecuted real crimes in SC, it wouldn't be on NY Times and Washington Post, etc. This is just self promotion for the next higher elected office.

The misguided public buys it hook and sink!

If legalized crime will go down, attacks against women at minimum. More men may partake. Why not tax the income, let them pay taxes, I am sure most providers do anyways.

Perhaps the ladies can answer this better. Take overpaid athleters, if they got paid less, would ticket prices go down.  I doubt it because it sports nuts like myself will still buy season tickets.  I say if I willing to pay 250-400 to see a provider, that what they will charge.  They set the market prices and legalization and taxes will not change that

Maybe I am not getting the point of your original post. You said you don't want it legalized because of the sin tax and that would be 50% of the cost.  I thought you were saying that prices would go up, but in this last post you say legalization and taxes will not change that.
Could you explain your original post and why you don't want it legalized?

Also, I'm not sure how your sports analogy relates...my point was that illegal substances and activities have different prices than legal ones. If pay for play was legal, I think we would have more happy and comfortable ladies in the business that did not have to worry or look over their shoulders becuase of LE on a crusade. I think that is a good thing.

Going back to my original post, you are correct.  I do not think you can tax indiviual services like escorting like you cannot tax  (if legal of course) like you do cigarrettes and liquor, so I stand corrected

But the prices would not go down because its legalized.  The sports analogy was what I related to best because I am willing to pay the price, despite my season tickets going up in a recession.  So when you said legalization would bring in more girls and compeition would drive down prices, I am just pointing out that in a service industry like escorting, the rules are simply demand - what are you willing to pay.  

Having lived in Germany, I am like you, legalization was great. Two weeks ago, I posted my thoughts and I got the response below (see link)
I said bullshit until I see what is happening with CL, I totally agree now

Many jobs are work at home scams where you have to sign up and pay.

Casual encounters are just advertising for porn site.

There are many legitimate posting but all kinds of scammers use craigslist.