Posted on 03/21/2012 12:06:50 PM PDT by presidio9
Rick Santorum hasn’t been shy about wanting to return America to its good ol’ Puritan days. Santorum has openly championed against separation of Church and State, homosexuality, contraception, NAFTA, teleprompters, but what has escaped many is his plan to ban pornography.
Santorum has tried to be the candidate that wants to create jobs, yet doing so would actually hurt our economy and significantly demotivate a significant portion of the population.
In 2010, 12% of websites on the internet were pornography related, accounting for $2.84 billion per year online. Worldwide, that number grows to $4.9 billion, meaning that the United States is currently dominating the production and export of pornography. When you factor in traditional outlets, the porn industry generates about $13 billion in revenue. While that number may not sound like a lot when compared to the $4 billion tax break oil companies receive from the government, its comparable to the revenue of some big name companies like Viacom or Texas Instruments.
While it has been said that the porn industry has suffered in the recession, other economies continue to grow. But even in these countries people still need to consume pornography. America, in true fashion of being #1, currently outperforms other producers of porn by a significant amount of money. Unfortunately, a good deal of revenue is lost due to free streaming websites or illegally shared content, much like the film and music industry.
It’s online presence has been so big that ICANN has recently created a top-level domain just for porn sites. This helps combat the growing number of children stumbling across porn online. While many argue that children shouldn’t run free around the internet, parents should take better precautions regulating where they can visit online. Just because many do not take the time to learn about parental controls doesn’t mean that they have the right to be the world’s moral police.
Now, ignore for a moment the morality behind pornography. Knowing that this industry contributes a significant amount of tax revenue, shouldn’t it be allowed to continue? We consistently raise taxes on cigarettes (about $12 per pack in New York) despite its harmful health benefits rather than outright outlaw them. It is ridiculous to think that because pornography clashes with Santorum’s Leave it to Beaver idea of America that we could potentially see such a huge loss in tax revenue. Don’t even get me started on how much tax revenue we’re currently missing out from the estimated $35 billion marijuana cultivation industry (imports from Canada and Mexico put this number closer to $100 billion).
We’re living in a time where people can better find communities that better reflect their personal views on morality. We’re still learning to find the balance between sharing too much and not sharing enough. We may be moving towards a Brave New World-type society but what is more troubling is the potential number of people behind ideas like this without having read Brave New World.
Bottom line, America produces too much profitable pornography to make it illegal. It creates jobs, brings money into our lagging economy and gives hope to anybody who has ever worked as a pizza delivery guy. Moral fiber be damned, we can’t complain about both “morality” and how much money me pay each week for gas or taxes.
Current federal “obscenity” laws prohibit distribution of hardcore (obscene) pornography on the Internet, on cable/satellite TV, on hotel/motel TV, in retail shops and through the mail or by common carrier. Rick Santorum believes that federal obscenity laws should be vigorously enforced. “If elected President, I will appoint an Attorney General who will do so.”
The Obama Administration has turned a blind eye to those who wish to preserve our culture from the scourge of pornography and has refused to enforce obscenity laws. While the Obama Department of Justice seems to favor pornographers over children and families, that will change under a Santorum Administration.
He wants the porn laws on the books enforced. Has he called for new laws?
The attorney general has aided and abbetted the traffic of arms to Mexico resulting in the death of federal agents, and is lying about it-why in the name of Jesus would we want them “enforcing” anything at all? Be careful what you wish for...
No, quite the opposite. Again, if you knew anything about American History, you would know that the Pilgrims fled tyranny, which is exactly what you are supporting. You have no more rights over me, than I have over you. We elect representatives to create laws, that restrain what we can do - unjust laws are repealed (as in sodomy laws). What my spouse and I do in our bedroom is NOYFB. When we want your approval for our intimate relations, we'll let you know. Until then, mind your own business.
Whereas you seem quite intent in imposing your views upon me; I reject them out of hand - because you are utterly powerless to enforce them. I will read what I wish (whether you approve or not), I will worship as I wish (whether you approve or not) and I will view art, movies, statues or websites without any consideration as to your approval. You see, that very elementry fact is what makes America free.
I would argue that in some instances, we have MORE rights today than we did years ago. With rights comes responsibilities. For example, in the 1950's children were essentially 'chattle' to their parents - Child abuse was protected and the children were told to 'shut up and deal with it'. Now, they have the riht to NOT be beaten.
You do not, will not, and have never had the right to command - anyone - do abide by your will. And as long as America remains free, you never will.
As for age, I'm a grandparent of 10. I remember very well the freedoms that have been won - from the Civil Rights of Blacks to have the same opportunities as anyone else, to the rights of people to marry people they wish (without regard to race). What rights have you lost?
It's all about abusing our freedoms. Do you think that the freedom to engage in pornography has helped or harmed our Nation?
Bottom line, America produces too much profitable pornography to make it illegal. It creates jobs, brings money into our lagging economy and gives hope to anybody who has ever worked as a pizza delivery guy. Moral fiber be damned, we can’t complain about both “morality” and how much money me pay each week for gas or taxes.
Rick wants to go after child porn. Covered under existing laws.
Of course, you can argue “That provides jobs!” also.
-—You can’t legislate morality, it simply doesn’t work; and frankly, you shouldn’t try.——
All law is based on morality.
If not, what is it based on?
Convention?
Social contract?
The force of will?
As I said... you are that frog in that pot. You think we have MORE rights?
You must be delusional. You happily condemn me for my morality yet condone gays for their immorality as you say “What my spouse and I do in our bedroom is NOYFB. When we want your approval for our intimate relations, we’ll let you know. Until then, mind your own business.”
I used to have a tagline that pssed off the liberals like you:
“Yes, as a matter of fact, what you do in the privacy of your own bedroom IS my business.”
I have repeatedly made the point that America is worse now economically, morally and socially than we were 25-50 years ago. You disagree.
I see the water in the pot is getting hotter and hotter. You think things are fine.
So don't enforce child porn? Heck, if we have a bad AG why enforce any laws? Is that what you want? Did you see the thread earlier where a man had pictures 2 year old, boys and girls.....God help us. I cried when I seen it. So you would say he should not have been arrested to protect your rights? We have a bad AG after all.
Just how bad do things have to get to see our country is in trouble? You laugh and joke and take lightly issues that are corrupting and destroying our kids. You can't be a parent, to not worry about all that is going on. The left has made this country sex obsessed.
Our founders warned that the fall of our morals would be quickly followed by the fall of the nation.
I think they would be astounded that we’ve lasted this long.
This is what passes for journalism? We are in trouble.
Santorum is for creating jobs, not doing away with them. And he has a good economic plan.
He doesn’t like porn. So what? Alot of people feel that way. But he can’t stop it, and he knows it. It is a state’s right issue, and he strongly backs state rights.
Listening and critical thinking should be taught and nurtured. If there were more honesty, then pieces like this would never be written, or posted for that matter.
Go Rick!
The big lie is that he wouldn’t ban porn, nor did he say that.
This is the dumbest thread, well almost, ever.
So you believed the lies. This article is rubbish. It is revolting that you bought it.
I believe he is talking about the state laws governing porn. This is a state’s rights issue as far as the law goes. He is an ardent supporter of state’s rights, as well as the Constitution.
Bloody right this country is in trouble-and having people go down rabbit trails every time someone yells “fire” does not help-that is nothing but divisive.
Child porn laws are enforced-the big problem is that there is no control that will work until human trafficking is stopped. My brother is in law enforcement, and the problem is worse than anyone on the left wants to admit-or anyone else wants to know. No, I didn’t look at the thread, but I’ll bet a sex trafficker had something to do with the crime-not the people next door.
Stopping it would require the enforcement of immigration law, searching of suspicious vehicles at border crossings, raids, etc-all the things that make liberals howl and pander to illegals by saying that Hispanics are being discriminated against, etc. It would also require a look at those “kiddie sex tours” that rich perverts go to places like Thailand for. I’m Hispanic myself, by the way-I have zero use for illegals...
I’ve been coming to FR for nearly 12 years-and I’m not joking-just being pragmatic. I never joke about such things. I think Nancy Pelosi needs to be denied communion, too, but that isn’t likely to happen.
But I’m not going to get my panties in a wad over what consenting adults look at or do when Obama and his ‘rat minions have taken a wrecking ball to everything from our incomes to our national pride-I’m going to concentrate on getting everyone I meet to vote him and his compliant congresspersons out in November.
My kids-girls, and grown now-were sent to private school at considerable expense, but my husband and I were glad to spend the money. In return for being good, loving parents, we had no arrests, no drugs, no scandals-just great kids good grades, wonderful family times and two college grads. We also controlled the TV, and checked out their friends.
The media has been fostering sex obsession since my kids were little, at least. This country is “sex obsessed” because everyone gives the in-you-face-outrageous too much air time-turn off the TV, don’t go to the website, quit buying the paper with sensational headlines-the money stops coming in, and pretty soon the subject matter is no longer profitable. Logical, practical, and it works-censorship does not and never has-it just drives the problem underground where it becomes REALLY dangerous.
You misjudge me if you think I’m being flip, or stupid-that is all I have to say.
If it’s all a lie and your boy in fact likes pornography like the rest of us, or at least tolerates it like the Constitution requires, then you’re doing him no favor by bumping the thread! It’s outright unamerican.
Oh, yeah-the person caught with sexually oriented photos of kids-he should certainly be arrested, sent to prison and placed in the general inmate population-that will save the taxpayers money, because the bastard probably won’t last more than a few months...
Sorry, the feds should not be involved in any morality... No need for a morality police here in America..
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