Good website.

Things that need to be changed in America

1. End the insane War on Drugs
2.Legalize and Regulate Prostitution
3. The Right to Die, is a Fundamental Human Right.

1. Yes, because drugs are great things. I think we should give children cocaine every day. No, I apologize for that comment. It's just that I get upset when people say "stop the war on drugs" instead of "stop fighting drugs through criminal legislation." We should continue to attempt to take drugs out.

2. Give me a reason why.

3. I assume that you're talking about suicide/assisted suicide, so I'll have to say no. Give me a reason why.

When people criticize the "War on Drugs," I think they're often referring to how hard the law comes down on people, and for minor offenses, like giving people mandatory 10-year sentences for merely possessing two joints, or seizing their property. If what I've read is accurate, the disaster at Rainbow Farm in Michigan, for example, was certainly caused by an overzealous prosecutor targeting a couple of guys simply for smoking pot.

As for prostitution and suicide, I think it's the one who desires to make something illegal that has to provide a reason why they should be, rather than the one who thinks they shouldn't be. There's no logical, credible reason consistent with the American philosophy of personal freedom as to why they should be illegal.

I agree wholeheartedly for your first point.

As for your second and third:

1. I don't think prostitution is part of the American philosophy of personal freedom. I'm just not seeing the degrading of men and women as an inalienable right. YES, I know other countries do it. YES, I know that if we don't regulate it, it could be worse. I just don't find those viable reasons. What kind of prostitution system will we have anyway? Sort of like strip clubs except they would be sex clubs? I'm just not seeing it. This is pretty vague, I know.

2. Well, suicide...what kind of suicide are we talking about here? The first post was just "right to die"--that could mean anyone, anytime. As I mentioned in the mentally ill post, I think the state has the responsibility to prevent people from doing things they would later regret in a moment of frenzy or mental depression. Now, then, there's patient-assisted suicide. That's a little different and a dicey situation. I would say I'm not FOR it, but I dislike this bizarre "let's have life at all possible cost" thing that we're into. Patients should have the right to refuse extensive medical attention.

I just don't find those viable reasons. What kind of prostitution system will we have anyway? Sort of like strip clubs except they would be sex clubs? I'm just not seeing it. This is pretty vague, I know. - MikeC

Uh, brothels, like they have in Nevada? These are state regulated, I do believe.

1. Degradation cannot be measured by the law. It's a subjective thing that each person sees differently. I agree that such a thing is “vague,” which is why I disagree that it should be seen by the law as degrading. Many people find cleaning toilets and working at McDonald's "degrading." We don't outlaw those things, though. It has been argued that prostitution can bring down the quality of the neighborhood it is practiced in, that it tends to go hand in hand with drugs and other crime. This is possible, but I would like documented studies on this. Assuming that it is true, I would question whether it also holds true for prostitution in which the prostitute comes to a private residence or hotel room after being called by the “john,” as depicted in Canada on John Stossel's ABC special, Sex, Drugs and Consenting Adults.

2. I pretty much agree with your point on suicide. I agree that legalized suicide should not lead to the depressed or mentally ill being allowed to end their lives. I'm talking about people of sound mind in great pain, or people with terminal, degenerative conditions who wish the option of going out with dignity. I am reminded of Dale Gilsdorf, who was profiled on Sex, Drugs and Consenting Adults. He was dying of lung and brain cancer, a condition he witnessed first hand when he mother died of the same thing, and whose undignified progression into death he did not wish to repeat himself. He bought barbiturates on the black market so that when the time came, he could end his own life. When the special was later rebroadcast, an update on Gilsdorf reported that he passed away, and that although he did not take the barbiturates, his daughters (whose support he had), reported that he was comforted by the fact that he had the pills by his bedside, where he had the option to use them.

1. Ooh, interesting points. I personally think that prostitution is disgusting and degrading, but I think it should be illegal because in a public setting I believe it increases crime/disease and is a threat to marriage/relationships. Now, your idea about private prostitution, while I still find it abhorrent, it admittedly would be less of a crime factor.

2. Somewhat agree here. It is my belief that suicide is morally wrong, but refusing treatment is not suicide (does that make sense? I don't know if it does). Here's an example: I don't think it's right to shoot yourself if you have cancer. I do think it's right not to go through painful medicine and operations if you have cancer.

BUT BUT BUT: That's my MORAL thinking. This is Legal Musings, not Religious Musings. Legally, I would have to say that it's incredibly tough to enforce suicide laws. I think that they're important and I have great qualms with physician-assisted suicide, but I recognize the fact that if someone wants to die, it's hard to stop them.

America is NOT a "Free" counry

The Netherlands is

\SARCASM{Easy solution. Enforce the Death Penalty for Attempted Suicide!!!!!! That way, the person won't take his own life, but the State will in a nice and legal manner!}

Anon: Not exactly. America is free. If you can afford it. As for the Netherlands, they're cool, but I just have a psecial place in my heart for post-War Germany. Talk about a turn around! It went from Facist Haven to Liberal Oasis in less then 50 years! Plus I have German ancestry.

The Fact is many of the "Laws" in
America are too Extreme, Rigid, Inflexible, see things in black and white terms, don't allow for exceptions.
Adults in America cannot even do what they want with their own lives and bodies. Is that "Freedom" ?

Adults in America cannot even do what they want with their own lives and bodies. Is that "Freedom" ?

Pleas provide examples.