A Libertarian Nightmare
Posted by Warm Southern Breeze on Saturday, July 7, 2012
Typically, libertarians are described as social liberals and fiscal conservatives.
That description, while simple, is fairly accurate. For example, when it comes to illicit drugs, the call for their legalization has come not from dope-smoking hippies, or those championing marijuana for medicinal purpose, but from libertarians. And they do so precisely because of the philosophy that guides libertarianism – laissez faire, which is defined as “a policy or attitude of letting things take their own course, without interfering.” In other words, hands-off, and leave things alone. In the United States, that translates into the mantra “smaller, less intrusive government,” with “less regulation.”
However, the primary problem with such an approach is that things are never “left alone.” For when they are abandoned, they are instead subjected to a torrent of change.
So, it should come as no surprise to learn that the former global haven for such trade has discovered that legalization or turning the proverbial blind eye to such issues only serves to encourage criminality.
It’s true with marijuana – the Netherlands has embarked upon changes to their formerly liberal policy to marijuana usage precisely because it has given rise to increased crime. And by the end of this year (2012), foreigners will no longer be able to purchase marijuana at the “coffee shops.”
It’s also true with prostitution.
Authorities in the Netherlands have also found that their liberalized policy of lack of laws regulating, governing, or controlling prostitution have only served to increase crime.
Naturally, the way to combat crime is to enforce laws against it, and to eliminate or modify the environs wherein it occurs. Dutch authorities have realized that, rather than “magically” going away, or “self-regulating,” (or “self-deporting”), the number, variety and type of problems associated with such activity only increased. In response, Dutch governmental authorities have begun to amend their ways. Amsterdam is trying to clean up the red light district, cutting the number of brothels, and replacing them with new business ventures.
As the reporter in the video story stated, “It’s attracted more criminality, and this place became a hub for human trafficking.”
Recall that, “human trafficking” is another word for SLAVERY.
—
Video story here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18723756
Can Amsterdam clean up the red light district?
A decade ago, the government in the Netherlands legalised prostitution in an effort to cut human trafficking and organised crime.
But it seems their efforts have had the opposite effect. Amsterdam’s mayor says the red light district has turned into a hub for human traffickers exploiting the country’s liberal approach to selling sex.
This summer the Dutch government is expected to tighten the prostitution laws, and in the meantime Amsterdam is trying to clean up the red light district – cutting the number of brothels and replacing them with new business ventures.
Anna Holligan reports.
—
The Dutch city of Amsterdam is to close one-third of the brothels in its famous red light district.
The city has reached a 25m euro (£18m) deal to buy 18 buildings and turn them into shops or housing.
The mayor of Amsterdam, Job Cohen, said that although prostitution was legal in the Netherlands, there was too much of the sex trade in the city centre.
He also said that the trade involved exploitation and trafficking of women, and other kinds of criminal activity.
Dirty money
Prostitutes in Amsterdam’s red light district ply their trade in neon-lit street windows and the area’s seediness has always been part of its attraction for tourists.
Under the deal, 51 of these windows – a third of the total – will be sold.
The Wallen, as the area is known in Dutch, is in one of the oldest and most picturesque areas of Amsterdam.
But the city’s authorities say the windows are a magnet for crime and money laundering.
Mr Cohen said the move was not intended to get rid of prostitution entirely, since it is part of the area’s history.
“What we do want is to get rid of the underlying criminality,” he said.
However, the plan was criticised by the Dutch sex workers’ union De Rode Draad.
“We believe that less windows means more exploitation of women,” spokeswoman Metje Blaak told Agence France-Presse news agency.
“If the windows close down, women who are being exploited will be hidden somewhere else where union representatives and health workers can’t make contact with them,” she said.
Prostitutes hire the windows for around 100 euros (£70, $141) for part of the day. One window is usually used by several prostitutes a day.
—
Warm Southern Breeze 
Leave a Reply