Thursday, March 10, 2011

Putting the Shun In Prostitution

I know, I know. What happens in Vegas is supposed to stay in Vegas, but this is just odd enough that maybe that rule shouldn't apply. Last month, Harry Reid brought up the idea of abolishing prostitution in Nevada. It was one line in an eight-page speech, but the senator's words got a lot of other people agitated. Nevada allows brothels in counties with fewer than four hundred thousand residents. That means that Clark County, in which Las Vegas is located, is left out of that deal. Specifically, Reid said, adding his concern was prompted by a visit by a technology firm to rural Storey County, "Nevada needs to be known as the first place for innovation and investment, not as the last place where prostitution is still legal."
Current Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman headed in the opposite direction, repeating an idea he has floated more than once in his nearly twelve years in office: make prostitution legal in the city and create a Wild West version of Amsterdam. Since Goodman cannot run again in the next election because of term limits, it has become an issue in the city's mayoral race. Having a position on legalizing prostitution has become a talking point. The candidates don't want to step on any toes, or any other body parts for that matter.
Nevada state senator Ruben Kihuen said, "I've heard people say, 'If we didn't have the image of sex, more companies would want to come to Nevada.' But others say that it's why people come here." If they outlaw the all-you-can-eat buffet, all bets are off. If you know what I mean.

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