Prosecuting Johns

He's a Democrat with money behind him so he goes free. They'd hang a Republican

The state of New York should be ashamed by the free ticket Mr. Spitzer recieved in return for his regret and apology. Many Americans have preconceived notions regarding the women who turn to prostitution; and because of these negative biases, prostitutes are often seen as deserving of what they get. Sadly, the majority of the populace neglects to examine the bigger picture and realize that prostitution is a response to a desperate life. Citizens have to stand back and look at what set women on the path toward prostitution, and that the majority of women were forced, in some way or another, into selling their bodies to sustain their way of life. The very fact that the law punishes those that are forced into sex work shows that the United States is still a patriarchal society with women functioning as auxillaries to men. Granted, there are many freedoms in this country that provide women with more choices, but there are no laws that can change the way of thought. The men who pay for sex, and those who support them, are, not so subtly, telling the world that women are on the planet for the use of men who have the means to purchase them. The extreme fervor for the punishment of men purchasing and/or participating in sexual child abuse is understandable and completely necessary, but one thinks that those same individuals who are so set on punishing the johns who use children, would realize that these children grow up, and more often than not, are the prostitues who a few years before, would have garnered support. Why when a woman reaches her 18th birthday is the use and abuse of her body, not only acceptable, but punishable. Johns have a choice, put your money away, the majority of prostitutes don't have a choice, and punishing them, especially when there are no punishments for the buyer, is disgusting and offensive.

I agree with Gulfguy. Legal or not, prostitution has been around for millenia, and it's not going away. It exists in big business and it exists in small business. Prosecuting it, in absence of other concommitant crimes is a waste of tax dollars, and it doesn't address the fundamental issues. On the other hand, when it is legal, it is easier to regulate and tax, and to make safe for those who choose to participate.

On moral grounds, I don't care for prostitution, and I hope that my children stay away from it. But that's just me. I won't play God in this case. But I do agree that it's not victimless - prostitutes, Johns, and pimps are all victims, and they tend to come from remarkably similar socially dysfunctional environments, irrespective of their financial status. If you want to help, do whatever you can to encourage any parents you know to promote strong family values in their social circles.

I'm not saying what he did wasn't wrong but I find it even more disturbing that he was caught by warantless surveillance; a Constitutional no-no. I'm sure he's not the only one doing it in state and national leadership. If the public has a right to know what he did, we sure as heck deserve to know what they all are doing. They all represent the people. It most likely would've all come out on it's own anyway. I just didn't like the method used to find out. What's next? More government private surveillance on all of us? Slowly but surely, we are turning into a Orwellian Big Brother state and it's quite disturbing. But as a public figure, he most certainly should've used his brain a bit more. But prison time for buying a prostitute's services? I'm not saying prostitution is morally right, but if you go by our Constitution, true freedom means prostitution wouldn't be a crime and neither would Spitzer's actions. If it's a state law, by all means follow the law. I just didn't like how the government listened in on his calls to get the information. The public's acceptance of that is very worrisome.

This is a joke. Shows you how corrupt our system is. His father is a big time Real Estate mogul and this is the kind of special treatment these a-holes get. Pitiful that these are the people that represent us.

Confusing victims of human trafficking with extremely high-paid call girls is ridiculous. Victims of human trafficking are essentially slaves. Having sex with a slave cannot be considered consensual and should be the subject of law enforcement and moral outrage. High priced call girls, on the other hand, are capitalists who provide their services voluntarily and are well compensated for it. Having sex with a high-priced call girl is a contract between two consenting adults, and should NOT be a subject of law enforcement or moral outrage. Yes, it's technically illegal, but it's not worth getting worked up over. Norma Ramos needs to get a life.

I have to take issue with the phrase "buying women". Prostitution isn't about buying another human being. It's about providing a service. There are many sex workers who choose this path just as there are those who come to it out of desperation. To view prostitution as something other than a service allows for the objectification of women in this society to continue.

Did anyone see the report on high price call girls on CNBC last night? Most of the Johns are extremely wealthy Businessmen, married or not, who think nothing of spending upwards of $50,000 or more on a prostitute. These people work on Wall St., in Financial institutions and other highly paid positions, like CEO's. They said on the report that Spitzer's prostitute was fairly low paid, and that most of the john's don't face charges anyway, just the women, who for the most part, are independent.

Outlawing prostitution is like outlawing rain.

A waste of time, never going to work, wont accomplish the goal anyway.

Want to reduce risks to public health? Can not do that is prostitutes are in fear of being charged.
Want to insure the safety of the families of the men who want sex? Not happening if prostitution is a crime.

If you want a sane policy, make it legal, regulate it and make a little money too, tax it. Standardize working conditions, make sure girls get at least half of the money earned (currently they usually get none!)

So wake up. Illigal prostitution is a bigger risk to society than regulated prostitution.

Study Canada or Denmark, they have a stronger society since legalizing and regulating the industry.

Mr. Spitzer deserves the punishment he doled out to others during his Insurance Brokerage "Witch hunt", werein hucdreds of not thousands of peroper were :"collateral damage" while Mr. Spitzer used the equivalent of the Atom Bonb to kill a flea. THere is no doubt Marsh & Mclennan engaged in illdgal activity in bid rigging, but the Mom and Pop agencies cought in Mr. Sptizer's overzealous crusade. Since when is it illegal to receive bonues for performances excellence? If this is against public policy, why didn't Mr. Spitzer go after every business in existence that pays performance rewards? After all, the case can be made utilizing his standard levied against the Insuranc Agency and Brokerage Business to apply it to all businesses. This is a cleas case of lopsided persecution of a whole industry because of one or two bad apples. Mr. Spitzer deserves some time behind bars for his antics. The term "double standard" applied to his view if justice doesn't come close.

I may be mistaken but isn't it a Federal crime to get someone to cross state lines to commit prostitution. If so he should be prosecuted. I think there should be some real punishment for the hypocrite.He based his platform on cleaning up corruption and prostitution.There should be some sort of moral clause when you become an elected official.Looks to me that if we just keep excusing these criminals we call politicians then we get what we deserve.

I AM OUTRAGED THAT HE CAN JUST WALK FROM THIS SITUATION. WHAT ABOUT THE GUYS THEY TRAP ION THE TV SHOWS ARE THEY ALLOWED TO WALK AWAY NO NO THEY ARE NOT. HE SHOULD BE CHARGED LIKE ANY OTHER LOW LIFE JOHN WHO IS WALKING THE STREETS LOOKING FOR SEX. HOW DARE THEM LET HIM OFF JUST BECAUSE HES A SENATOR WHO CARES HE WAS DOING A CRIME JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER JOHN DOES AND HAS TO PAY FOR IT. IT MAKES ME SICK TO THINK HE WILL NOT BE CHARGED WITH TRYING TO GET A PROSITUTE FOR SEX. HIS WIFE BETTER BE TESTED FOR ANY SEXUALLY DESEASES HE MAY HAVE PICK UP FROM THE WOMEN HE HAS BEEN WITH.

Sure, I wouldn't mind seeing Spitzer thrown in jail, but at what cost? Do we put more pressure on an already over-burdened legal system? Smoking pot is illegal also but are we going to throw everyone caught with a joint in jail? We are in a situation that we do not have the luxury of incarcerating everyone that steps out of line. There are some crimes that we have choice but to treat the same way we treat traffic violations. Give them a fine and publish their names in the local paper. Prosecute only those that commit an act of violence on a prostiitute.

Wow. What is this man were some other form of public like... a teacher ...bus driver....or sanitation worker.? Would any parent or decent citizen want him in contact with their children or in their neighborhood? He broked the law. Period. As the Governor, even more so, as a public figure he knowlingly accepted a life that would submit him to public scrutiny and higher standards of morality, ethics, and adhering to the laws that he helped to support and enforce. He is a disgrace to the people of New York and the United States. His actions could not come at a worse time. Public opinion and trust in politicians is at an all time low, allowing him to walk does nothing but further the idea that elitist are given a pass and the laws are not meant for those who write them.
Ask yourself this? If that were the President Elect what would happen to him? Would you be so cavalier with your dismissal?

all the johns and prostitutes should sue the state of ny if they have been fined or jailed for the same act. this is a joke to let a high profile gut off the hook. guess it pays to have $$$$$$$$$.

You're all missing the point. This is why Spitzer was taken down.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/13/AR2008021302783.html
Tell me it's not? It was posted 2/14/2008 @ the Washington Post. Ask yourselves a question. This happens each and everyday in Washington and all other hubs of government. Why is Spitzer the one who got caught?

Personally I could care less about prostitution. It should probably be legal if all are consenting. Don't really care about all the reasons why a woman (or man) becomes a prostitute only that they chose to become one and were not forced into it.
However, I do feel being that it is still illegal than all who partake should be prosecuted and should not be singled out because they are rich or famous. Punishment should be uniform...period!!
I feel for his wife as he dragged her in front of the cameras as somehow that would make it legitimate...What a shameful man!
He should be dragged in front of the court just as the ones he prosecuted for the exact same crimes were.
This is not right that he is getting away with it. I don't want to hear all the crap about how sorry he is and he will be paying for it the rest of his life. Yeah right...
There are plenty of others whose only crime is soliciting a prostitute and they actually are paying for it the rest of their lives...

If they are not going to prosecute people, why even have a law against it?