Nevada Has Gambling, Hookers And Low Unemployment: Should Ohio Legalize Prostitution?

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- The sound of squeaking bed springs. Prosperity. Would opening up Ohio to the the world's oldest profession boost the state economy -- is it any worse than keno in a bar? Slate has a provocative story that wonders why prostitution is illegal in so many jurisdictions, and discusses how it works in some European nations. The question: If you can deal in guns, gamble, smoke and sell cigarettes, charge 390% interest on payday loans, well, what's so bad about having a sex industry? If there's a willing buyer and a willing seller, is there really any reason why a capitalist government should stand between that free market transaction?