Instead of
slots, why not legalize prostitution?
The Baltimore Sun
March 10, 2005
THE CONTINUING deficits facing Maryland are of grave concern to all of its
citizens.
It is vital that we fully fund such important initiatives as the Thornton
education reform program, yet we are hard-pressed to find the money. Both houses
of the legislature have passed versions of slot machine legalization, for which
Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. has worked so hard. But even this may not provide
enough return to the state to meet the need.
To solve this problem, we must be bold and imaginative. It is not enough merely
to ape the measures taken by neighboring states in an effort to keep the
discretionary spending of Marylanders within our own borders; we must instead do
something truly new that would give Maryland a competitive advantage. We must do
this in a way that would produce an adequate revenue stream in good times and
bad, while simultaneously improving the business climate.
Let's face it: The underlying rationale for legalizing slot machines is that the
state can solve its financial problems by promoting vice. If this proposition
has now been accepted, we should pursue it to its logical conclusions. Gambling
is only one of many possible vices from which the state can profit, and not
necessarily the one providing the richest pickings. Why not consider
alternatives? Legalized prostitution, for example.
Whether the new brothels are operated directly by the state or licensed private
businesses is a technical detail that can be worked out. We can keep them out of
Timonium and Ocean City, if families object. Either way, they'd be much better
than gambling for solving Maryland's fiscal woes, and as the attention given to
slots has shown, the only consideration that appears to matter is profit to the
state.
As the only state east of the Rocky Mountains offering this perennially popular
entertainment, Maryland could become a mecca for commercial sex services. In
Nevada, where prostitution is legal and regulated, the state health department
estimated two years ago that about 1,000 potentially taxable sex acts take place
per day. Surely Maryland, so much closer to the nation's population centers, can
expect a far greater rate of use.
There's good reason why there's so much money in professional sex: It appeals to
everyone. Although only a small fraction of the population gambles regularly,
nearly every adult participates in sexual activity.
Numerous studies have shown how state-sponsored gambling amounts to a tax on the
poor. Commercial sex, by contrast, has appeal across the entire financial
spectrum. Moreover, unlike gambling, which depends in part on economic
desperation for its motivation, sexual desire is a staple part of human nature
that persists under all economic conditions.
Legal brothels would also provide a shot in the arm for many other businesses.
When customers travel from a distance, they will need tourist accommodations,
stimulating the Maryland travel industry.
Considering the numerous benefits to be garnered by the legalization of
prostitution in Maryland, we believe that this plan will be far more
advantageous for our state than any of the proposed versions of legalized
gambling. If our plan is adopted, the Free State could truly become the national
leader in financing state government through encouraging vice.
Julian Krolik is a professor in the physics and astronomy department at the
Johns Hopkins University. Jonathan Zenilman is a professor in the university's
medical school.