En route to the Sohrab Ahmari/David Frenchdebate at Catholic University last eve, I had my own brief debate with the Uber driver over legalized prostitution. The Washington, D.C. city council is debating a legalization proposal. Street walkers and open brothels, although illegal, operated very openly in DC for decades. The Uber driver recalled that the first mayor succeeding the corrupt Marion Barry greatly increased the fines for prostitutes, which incentivized their departure from DC streets.
But the driver said he's asked frequently by out-of-town passengers for referrals to call girls. He declines but says other drivers oblige. Since prostitution continues regardless, although now largely out of sight, the driver favors legalization, regulation, and taxation.
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