The NYT, having suddenly developed an interest in high-priced hookers, reveals a previously unknown aspect of the oldest profession: otherwise virtuous young women are being forced into a life of prostitution because America hasn’t solved its uninsured problem:
Ava Xi’an sells real estate on Long Island, and turned to selling herself when her father, who lacks health insurance, needed heart surgery.
In addition to her job in real estate, Ms. Xi’an moonlighted as a dominatrix. But it wasn’t really prostitution because “there was, technically, no sex involved.” Then she was seduced by the dark side when her father became a victim of our heartless, money-driven health care system:
Four years later, as her uninsured father faced a triple bypass— the operation cost $95,000 and the hospital demanded a $35,000 deposit — Ms. Xi’an concluded that selling actual sex would be more lucrative.
This story is so dumb that I hesitate to dignify it with critical analysis, but I can’t help myself. Why didn’t the intrepid journalists at the Gray Lady ask why Ms. Xi’an’s father was uninsured or why (if he is poor) didn’t he apply for Medicaid or the hospital’s Charity program?
My guess is that they were afraid of the answers. If they discovered several alternate ways (not requiring prostitution) of handling dad’s medical dilemma, their angle would have disappeared. In fact, it is doubtful that they bothered to confirm the truth of Ms. Xi’an’s tale.
My bet is that the lady became a hooker because it pays well and she likes the work. I would be surprised if her father had anything to do with the decision. But what are mere facts to “journalists” who have an opportunity to ride a favorite hobbyhorse?
Comments 7
As if no one in America hadn’t faced major bills they couldn’t pay. As for her story, it is self-evident that she is freely pursuing this line of work unless she has a line of relatives all waiting for major surgery, so it’s a big so what, as usual.
And still think there’s no recession, David, both financial and in the glaciers?
Posted 17 Mar 2008 at 11:51 am ¶A recession, Marc, is not defined by how many dolts fall for the BS that appears in the “news” media. It is defined as 2 succesive quarters of negative growth. We haven’t even had one so far.
Posted 17 Mar 2008 at 1:12 pm ¶From: http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/banking_and_finance/article3558517.ece
‘The National Bureau of Economic Research is regarded as the official arbiter of US recessions. By careful analysis of the data, it pinpoints when the American economy dips in and out of recession, usually many months after the event.
This time, however, Martin Feldstein, its president, is not waiting. Feldstein, a former chairman of the White House’s Council of Economic Advisers under Ronald Reagan, said on Friday that America was in a recession that could be “substantially more severe” than recent ones.’
Posted 17 Mar 2008 at 2:37 pm ¶Mr. Feldstein isn’t allowed to move the goal post any more than you are, Marc. I’m not sure if he skipped his meds or if he’s becoming senile, but a recession is measured according to objective data.
Posted 17 Mar 2008 at 3:06 pm ¶It’s as close as you’re going to get given that recessions aren’t officially declared until it’s too late. As Will Hutton writes:
‘The United States is about to be trashed by perhaps the greediest, most arrogant, self-deluding financial class in the country’s history.’
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/feature/story.cfm?c_id=1501241&objectid=10498706
And as an acolyte of a health system that’s trashed your people for decades, I guess that also means you - except I doubt you’ve got much in the bank, unlike those who took Bear Stearns down the tubes. Will you at least concede it’s not looking good?
Posted 17 Mar 2008 at 3:57 pm ¶I’ll concede that the economy is slowing down as it does periodically.
It has nothing to do with Hutton’s ridiculous conspiracy theory, however.
It’s just the business cycle. No real need for a villain.
Posted 17 Mar 2008 at 4:24 pm ¶Some ‘business cycle’ - more like a train wreck.
Anyway, you’ll be pleased to see that Ava Xi’an has answered your query -
‘Yes, the story regarding the cost of my father’s operation is true…’
and you can read her full response at
http://blogs.ft.com/gapperblog/2008/03/making-a-global-business-of-the-oldest-profession/
And I shall direct her to your item.
Posted 17 Mar 2008 at 5:07 pm ¶Post a Comment