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To: Ray76
Your theory can be tested by the first state to repeal all their marriage laws. That would avoid the equal protection problem. But, for now, right now, all states have marriage laws.

Your argument seems to be that the Supreme Court shouldn't say that homosexuals can marry in all states because there may be some state that doesn't recognize any marriages and therefore doesn't violate the equal protection clause. The problem with your argument is that there really aren't any states that don't license and recognize marriages. When there is such a state, they'll have a pretty good argument.

But, of course, that is an empty threat because any politicians who voted to end all marriages would soon be unelected politicians. So, don't count on that.

We'll probably need an amendment if we're going to change this situation.

61 posted on 09/05/2015 7:20:59 PM PDT by Tau Food (Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.)
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To: Tau Food
There is no need for Kentucky to repeal any of their marriage statutes.

> Your argument seems to be that the Supreme Court shouldn't say that homosexuals can marry in all states because there may be some state that doesn't recognize any marriages and therefore doesn't violate the equal protection clause.

That is not at all my argument.

“The Court, in this decision, holds same-sex couples may exercise the fundamental right to marry in all States. It follows that the Court also must hold - and it now does hold - that there is no lawful basis for a State to refuse to recognize a lawful same-sex marriage performed in another State on the ground of its same-sex character.” - Obergefell

Here is the error:

“The Court, in this decision, holds same-sex couples may exercise the fundamental right to marry in all States.”

This goes too far. This commandeers the legislative process of the States. The federal government has no say in marriage laws, laws which have always been within the purview of the States. No court, least of all the USSC, has the authority to legislate.

There may be a legitimate Art IV basis for the USSC declaration that “there is no lawful basis for a State to refuse to recognize a lawful same-sex marriage performed in another State on the ground of its same-sex character”, although I am not convinced. This would strike Ky. Rev. Stat. 402.045 Same-sex marriage in another jurisdiction void and unenforceable, but it does not touch other provisions of Kentucky's marriage statutes.

Kentucky can not be forced to issue marriage licenses contrary to its laws, or to have it's laws written for them by the federal Supreme Court.

62 posted on 09/05/2015 7:27:57 PM PDT by Ray76 (When a gov't leads it's people down a path of destruction resistance is not only a right but a duty.)
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