> in the long term it would lead to a better outcome I'm not really sure I follow the argument for it leading to a better outcome. Prostitution has been illeg

> in the long term it would lead to a better outcome I'm not really sure I follow the argument for it leading to a better outcome. Prostitution has been illegal for a long time, long before the existence of Backpage, and we haven't seen an outpouring of support for improved public assistance. Indeed, people on public assistance are usually characterised as lazy scroungers who can't be bothered to get a real job. Meanwhile prostitutes are usually considered tragic victims of adverse circumstances. So if anything, it would seem like a massive increase in the numbers of prostitutes as a result of legalisation (not to mention the increased visibility of the existing amount) would be far more likely to lead to support for change than the status quo.