Listen to either party and you will hear the same statement. We’re broke. We have a deficit. Paying more in taxes is not popular so it seems that is not even an option. How about this option: WE NEED TO GENERATE MORE TAX REVENUE! Yes, that is what we need to do. We need to take something or somethings that are already being done, have the government regulate it, and TAX, TAX, TAX it! Thus, let’s make marijuana and prostitution legal in this country. Tax it by 20% or hey, why not 25% and make some money.
Pros
Yes, I am being serious. (Well sort of.) Prostitution is not called the world’s oldest profession for nothin’. It has been going on for eons with no signs of stopping. Nevada famously legalized prostitution in 1977, but has had brothels in operation since 1902. As of 2008 Nevada had 28 brothels in operation which requires male and female sex workers to participate in weekly sexually transmitted disease testing. Nevada gains about $400 million from the 28 brothels in the state. Hmm… multiply that by 50, you get the picture. The US could even tax it more than Nevada taxes it. AND they could make it legal in urban areas, which Nevada does not allow. Plus as Nevada does, the US would have to regulate prostitution and ensure that sex workers are being safe, not spreading diseases, are of a legal age and are taken care of. This regulation would make the sex workers and their customers much safer in the end. Every major city, truck stop, and even smaller cities report prostitution problems, so why not make it safe for all involved and make a little cash as a bonus?
Some places have already toyed with the idea of legalizing marijuana, such as Denver. The FDA has not approved smoking marijuana, but it has approved synthetic THC that is found in the medicinal form or marijuana called Marinol. Many Americans smoke marijuana. It is the most commonly used illicit drug. In 2009 the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that 104 million Americans ages 12 and older have tried marijuana once in their lifetime. That is nearly 42% of the population. The number of people who used in the past year was 28.5 million which translates to 11% of the population, and 16.7 million or 11% have used in the past month. Umm…I think that we have an untapped market here. It is ILLEGAL right now in most places yet a significant chunk of the population is still using. Did anyone notice that the study said 12 and over? Maybe if it were legal and people weren’t selling it on the street law enforcement could see to it that only people of a legal age partake in the use of marijuana. I think the idea needs to be reviewed for several reasons. First, think of the job creation that could occur from the legalization of marijuana. People would be needed to regulate it, manufacture it safely, package, distribute, and sell it. Next, people are already using as I’ve proven. Third, this would generate NEW taxes to pay for the deficit, programs, or whatever else is a looming economic problem. As an added bonus thousands of scum-bag pimps and drug dealers would be out of business.
Cons
No, I am not some heartless person who wants to corrupt society with these unmentionable evils. I do know that it would have negative impacts on the US without a doubt. First, prostitution is often a last resort employment option for women who are in desperate situations. Not to mention the fact that they are often the victims of abuse and abuse drugs. The US promoting or rather allowing prostitution could make for a sticky situation. Many groups would be vehemently against the use of non matrimonial sex as a way to generate revenue to be unscrupulous.
Likewise the thought of the US slinging Mary Jane as a way to pay the bills would also be thought of as unscrupulous. Legalizing marijuana would also be introducing another mind altering substance into society and people may begin to use who never would if it were illegal. Plus, it is not healthy. Marijuana cigarettes have many of the same harmful substances that cigarettes do and could cause similar cancers and health problems for our already unhealthy society.
Final Thoughts
In light of the budget crisis facing the US something needs to be done to generate more revenue to pay for our government. It does seem that the citizens of this country want more government than they are willing to pay for. We need services, we need roads, we need schools. If taxpayers refuse to pay, then someone must find another way. My point being that a chunk of society is already doing this. Why not legalize it, regulate it, and tax the heck out of it?
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