Yes, I was living in Reno at the time the Feds took over control of Mustang. As I said in my earlier post, it was over payroll taxes. Joe Conforty claimed that the girls were independent contractors who were responsible for their own taxes. The IRS claimed they were employees subject to withholding taxes... ie Social Security, unemployement etc. Joe fought the good fight in court for quite a few years. Everyone I knew was behind him in this effort. Alas, the courts eventually ruled against him. Being the old fashioned guy he was, he refused to pay, claiming that the Government was corrupt. As a result the IRS took over operation of the ranch to get their money.
Joe was eventually put in prison over his refusal to pay.
As was explained to me, Joe set up Mustang with the thought of giving the girls a safe place to work (vs out on the streets), where they would be medically checked on a regular basis. Guess making money was not his main motive? I never did believe that one.
I do remember the fight back in the 70's over closing it down. My understanding was it was legal at the time, but the doo-gooders wanted to make it illegal. In a post it was stated that it became legal in the 70's. I don't believe this to be true.
I still remember talking to a 50 year old mother at the time of the vote. She was for keeping it open... reason.. well her sons were going to use hookers anyway... she at least wanted to make sure that they were clean and not someone from off the streets.
How did I vote? Well even though I never went to Mustang (I'm to cheep), I did see that it was a freedom of choice and voted to keep it open.
The problem with the IRS was my first indication that something was wrong with our county. The injustice of what the IRS did to the Owners of Mustang was incredible. Since then, due to my profession, I have been priviledged to be witness to many more such abuses of power. Other than the 2nd amendment issue, taxes are my #1 priority.
All abuses and problems we have with the Government today arrise as a result of the tax system. They have so much power now, as a result of the taxing of personal incomes. If we really want to rein-in the Federal Government, repealing the 16th Amendment is imparitive.
With the average person now paying 56% of their wages in taxes and our legislatures crying for more, I truely believe that this is the reason they are attacking the 2nd amendment. With all of the taxpayers groups being started as a result of the high taxes, they realize that they can not raise them much more without a revolt. They know that if there is a revolt, they would not have a chance agaist an armed citizenry. Thus, they must disarm the citizens. Think I'm full of it? Well maybe, but that is my personal opinion.
Thanks,
Richard