Memphis City Council member Shea Flinn wants the the city to study the idea of creating an ‘adult entertainment district’ for strip clubs and other sex-oriented businesses. He wants a committee to look into a possible location as well as answer the question whether “this is the right thing to do.”

Is it the right thing to do? Why or why not?

City Councilman Shea Flinn’s right when he points out that local government can reap tax revenues from adult-oriented businesses, but he’s thinking too small. From ancient times, humans have been willing to pay to have their basest desires gratified. Given that reality, Councilman Flinn’s porn district should be only a starting point.

Why not establish a an area for our local crack and crystal meth dealers to offer their wares in a controlled, tax generating environment. Many of our fellow citizens want to get high; let’s translate their desires into funding for more police and firefighters.

Underground dog fighting occurs across Shelby County. Let’s build a world-class canine combat arena where breeders and fans can satisfy their hankering for a good fight-to-the-death — in a revenue positive way.

We’re limited only by our lack of creativity. We’ve already figured out how to harness the poor’s appetite for gambling to create scholarships for middle class kids’ higher education. If we work at it, we can exploit any number of human vices for the greater good. Before long, we and our children will enjoy a level of cultural and civic life previously limited to places like Las Vegas and Atlantic City.