Copy-cats

One of the loudest arguements for banning this and restricting that in Iceland is that "other countries" have taken this and that road towards contraints and regulation. Of course we have the arguements of "social good" and "nationally beneficial" (or "þjóðhagslega hagkvæmt" as we call it in Icelandic), but the "other countries"-arguement is one of the most abused ones. Lets take an example:

Recently a law-change was proposed in Althing (Icelands parliament) which shifts the criminailty of prostitution from the prostitude to the buyer and the "pimp" (or a third party of some kind). I could of course name an endless number of arguements for why I think prositution shouldn't be considered illegal at all but for now I won't. I just want to say that one of the biggest arguements for this law-changing proposal is that "in Sweden they have taken this path", and more often than not, with apparently "good results", although that is not at all the case unless we evaluate "results" by what we see on the streets. The fact is actually that prostitution has been made an even worse field to operate in in Sweden, and not to mention the neighbouring countries since the poision of unfair laws spread just like freedom spreads welfare and improved living for those who enjoy it.

This "other country"-arguement can of course be used, and is used by others than the Left of course. For my part I have pointed out again and again that the paths Sweden has taken in the operation of health-care and education have lead to seemingly very positive results for patients, doctors, teachers, parents and children, but the Swedes are now privitazing many schools and hospitals and allowing the private sector to educate and cure in greater measure than before. So yes, I have used the "other country"-arguement and will continue to do so.

However, this form of argument has faults like most other kinds of arguements. It shouldn't be used about bad regulations and bad laws. In the case of prostitution, there are few or no laws that protect prostitutions from violence and abuse better than allowing them to operate legally, so that the police and the legal system protects prostitutions like every other citizen. By making this party or that a criminal, there will be consequences which decrease the quality of life for those who didn't do all too well before - namely the men and women who seek to earn money by selling sexual favours. This has been verified a thousand times, but still in countries where noisemakers like left-feminists have strong influence, there continue to be criminal laws against consenting adults in search of sex or sex-related services.

One day the government will pass laws that will restrict you in some way or another, although you know that you are not doing anything wrong and not violating anyones rights. I hope you will start doubting the wisdom of politicians before that, and fight against the government thinking on your behalf as a result. No "other countries"-arguements, or any other, should make you doubt your own integrity.