Here in Canada, over the past few years, I've been impressed with our government's lean toward more liberal laws concerning such things as decriminalizing drugs and prostitution. Much to the dismay of our American neighbors and especially George W. Bush's cranky Christian conservative government, it is likely you'll soon be able to smoke weed in relative peace with out fear of persecution like our American friends are subjected to on a daily basis.

Canadian members of Parliament on a justice subcommittee want to take a trip to Europe & Nevada, specifically Britain, Sweden and the Netherlands to study how brothels are run over there and what effects if any, they have on the community. They want to get the perspectives from all parties involved from the brothel owners, workers, local police and governments. This is a first nudge towards possible legalization of prostitution in so called "red light districts." Prostitutes themselves have appeared before the committee to urge the scrapping of the current Canadian laws regarding solicitation. Technically, prostitution is already legal in Canada--it's the "solicitation in public" that is against the law.

The trip and study is being called "atrocious" and "obscene" by conservative opposition MPs and they are using the issue to spotlight what they say is nothing but a "junket" and spending spree for government officials. How typical. Conservatives, next to the French, are the most obtrusive short-sighted people on the planet, and have never been one to look at the big picture unless it has something to do with tax cuts or war. Now is the time to look at this issue seriously. The only way you can do it is by looking at other working models from around the world and determining if it can be applied here with success. The government does waste a lot of money, but in this case I'm for such an investment in this issue.

Escort services and massage parlors are prevalent in our cities, and for anyone who isn't a complete idiot, they are just covers for prostitution. With limited government interference and regulation, they have sprouted up in every community, sometimes employing questionable sources involving underage girls and sex slave traders. There is no health inspection of these places, and they operate under a shroud of a "don't ask - don't tell" policy. With legalization of prostitution in certain areas...pulling it out from under the carpet and regulating it...taxing it and helping mandate a clean safe working environment, we stand to benefit as a society. It GOES ON PEOPLE; it has since the dawn of time--since women first realized they could sell it to men. It's time to put the choice into people's hands whether they wish to participate in it. Designated areas and regulation is the way to go.