[Twotone]

"What other act requires a license, but is perfectly legal if you don't get the license????" There is nothing in this world that really makes sense anymore & our government is a perfect example. Personally, I think the gov't should butt out of marriage altogether. If you want to get married in a church, fine. If you want to create a contract between yourself & a partner or partners, fine. Just as long as the rest of the world doesn't have to pay for it. But of course, that's what they really want: to tap the social security or employment benefits of someone that they wouldn't ordinarily be eligible for.

[SampleMan]

But of course, that's what they really want: to tap the social security or employment benefits of someone that they wouldn't ordinarily be eligible for. <

Correct. But I think that defining state marriage the way that we would like it to be defined is a losing issue. The real answer is for all people to be treated exactly the same by the state, whether or not they are married, have children, are a particular sex/race/stature, etc. There are a few logical exceptions to this, but you get my drift.