Arrest For Buying Sex Is Pretty Good Deterrent

It’s illegal to sell sex, or to buy it. Prostitution laws ban intercourse in intercourse for vendor and vendee alike.

But, as a casual stroll along East Sprague or West First will convince you (not that I recommend one), the practice survives - quite visibly.

Among those who disapprove, this causes considerable frustration which often produces desperate reactions. Such as Sen. Jeanne Kohl’s proposal to let police confiscate the vehicles of people caught picking up prostitutes.

Presumably, the threat of losing one’s vehicle would be an effective, uh, restraint of trade.

Of course the prospect of being arrested for prostitution should be a good deterrent, too. Seattle Democrat Kohl’s plan is more streamlined, though. It bypasses the messy complications of proving that the person actually committed the offense for which he’s being punished.

Think of it as ambush insurance

Like it or not, Spokane is 300 miles from the place where state law is made - the place where far-reaching decisions are molded (often out of the spotlight) and reached (often on short notice).

Like it or not, the job of tracking that process on behalf of those affected falls to a class of people known as lobbyists.

Whatever pariah-like connotations the L word evokes, the Spokane City Council made a sensible decision this week when it agreed to hire one.

It’s one thing to have a legislative agenda, to ask area lawmakers for support, and to travel occasionally to Olympia for scheduled hearings and appointments with key officials.

But a city’s - and its residents’ - interests can be affected without warning at almost any time the Legislature is in session. The ability to respond effectively depends on having a knowledgeable advocate on the scene.

The council took some heat for the decision. It probably will take more. The critics are farther removed from Olympia than a mere 300 miles.

Bipartisanship on display

As we all know, 1994’s revolutionary election produced dramatic changes in Congress. For instance, Democrats in the Senate used to accuse filibustering Republicans of undermining the democratic process. But now Republicans accuse filibustering Democrats of undermining the democratic process. They’re both right.

xxxx