Everyone pays taxes, Anaximander; the independents who don't are fools because they are opening themselves up for audit and seizure of everything they own (if not criminal charges). Remember, the IRS even took down Al Capone.
You are confusing decriminalization (what they have in New Zealand) with legalization (what they have in Nevada). The latter sometimes makes government a pimp, the former does not. But right now, the cops are brutal, predatory rapists, and that power needs to be taken out of their hands and that of CPS, who can abduct a woman's children WITHOUT TRIAL merely because she is accused of working to support them in a way the law doesn't like.
Originally Posted by AngelOK
You are actually the one that's confused, Angel.
Point me to the US Code that criminalizes Prostitution. Can't find it? That's because at the FEDERAL level prostitution is not a crime. It's not supported. It's not specifically taxed as an activity at the federal level (no more so than being a bricklayer or lawyer). The US Government has no stand on it one way or the other.
Nor should they.
The prostitution laws on the books are state and local laws. Also as it should be.
Because there is nothing in the US Constitution specifically mentioning prostitution the US government has no authority to legalize or criminalize it.
Amendment 10 - Powers of the States and People. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
If you don't like the prostitution laws you need to find out which laws you're in violation of (or are simply opposed to) and work to get THEM repealed or overturned. Prostitution is legal in the United States at a federal level. Nevada's legal brothels are proof of that. The states by the power of the 10th amendment have their own authority over regulating and/or prohibiting it and that's exactly what they do, just as the founding fathers intended.
Jack
BTW- you're also confused when you make the statement "everywhere in the free world except the U.S.". I don't consider Japan a "theocracies, totalitarian states, former totalitarian states, third-world backwaters and a few small countries", do you? (As just one example).
Green is legal, but regulated
Blue is legal, but certain activities like soliciting, advertising, and brothels are illegal
Red is Illegal
Gray is no data