Government, get out of the marriage business. The only reason the government is involved in the marriage business is for the $$$$$(Tax deductions, estate tax etc).
I have seen too many pseudo-conservatives wanting bigger government via its definition of marriage. The liberal-big-government-enablers want to define marriage their way, while conservatives-big-government-enablers want to define marriage their way. These big-government enablers are the problem.
I disagree, the government does have an interest in marriage.
Rights of our youngest citizens must be maintained. There is no question that, on all measurable levels, children are best cared for by a married man and woman who are their parents.
Marriage is also a protection for women who are otherwise too vulnerable when pregnant or with a small child.
Alimony is not a joke. Women give up lots of income to stay with their husbands, do their wifely role, and do the majority of the child care. Without the protection of marriage, we have far more abuse of women as sex toys/ baby makers who give up their independence and can never recoup their loss once cut off.
There is the importance of power of attorney, not needing to be formalized, and even criminal applications.
To pretend that government has no interest in legitimate, legal, committed marriage is very short sighted. Bigamy must be indefensible, adultery must be punishable, abandonment must have ramifications. You ignore the history of the entire human race, both good and bad, to deny the bedrock importance of legitimate marriage. And you are dancing to our enemies’ tune.
The government is in the “marriage business?” I had no idea they catered, constructed gowns and tuxes and wedding cakes.