I hold to the libertarian position of getting government out of the marriage business. I think that's where the problems begin.
Absolutely. The nomenclature problem (big words!) exists because government enshrined into law the term "marriage" when no viable alternative to traditional marriage existed. Now that we are investigating the notion of "alternative" unions we need new vocabulary, but the inefficient govt bureaucracy isn't about to redefine all the tax regulations, etc. in this political climate. There are other issues at play.
And in the end you are absolutely right as I said above, the govt should never has stuck its nose into these things.
That whole lesson about rendering unto Caesar seems very appropriate here.