Pubdate: Wed, 24 Aug 2016 Source: Press Democrat, The (Santa Rosa, CA) Copyright: 2016 The Press Democrat Contact: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/348 Author: Hans Beerbaum THE BIG VICES EDITOR: Now that we're embracing another one of the big vices, marijuana (gambling was the first big one), it's time to consider the next one. Perhaps we can embrace prostitution and the state gets a percentage? Nevada does that. California is missing out. But let's start thinking bigger. For a fee, young men could speed down the freeway at 100 mph without getting a ticket. For a fee, the cops will look the other way while you kill someone. Robbers would be allowed to steal if they give a cut to the police. Government needs to get really entrepreneurial. Since no one wants to pay taxes, we'll just let crime run rampant and criminals split the profits with "the people." Those criminals who don't want to share would go to jail, just like now. Europe experimented with legal narcotic distribution but discovered that it encouraged more crime. I don't mean to sound like a prude, but when you follow the legalization of drugs down to a logical conclusion, there's no reason to stop people from doing anything they want if you can extract a fee for it. Let the free market run rampant. No limits on anything. Pay the social price ... later. HANS BEERBAUM Petaluma - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom