[Protagoras]

Having people pay money in exchange for the most intimate of human acts as casually as if one were picking up a few burgers at a fast food restaurant offends me.

Question; should things which offend you be prevented? (at gunpoint if necessary)

The oldest profession has always been offensive, but it remains one of the most common of acts.

I am offended by most of what passes as "society" today.

[ClearCase_guy]

Question: should things which offend you be prevented?

Your question makes me think of the Cartoon frenzy.

Observant Jews don't eat pork -- but they do not riot to get bacon out of supermarkets.
Muslims do not make pictures of Mohammad -- and they do riot if non-Muslims make pictures of Mohammad.

If prostitution offends people -- should they simply stay away themselves (Jewish/Pork approach) or should they demand that everyone follow their personal rules (Muslim/Cartoon approach).

FWIW, I'm opposed to prostition. But I think laws on moral issues are never simple.