1) Marriage tax raises bar for marriage and cuts down on frivolous unions. Money is held in trust past child-rearing years and returned to the couple past child-bearing years if still married. If divorced, money eschews to the State for Social services to support state obligations related to divorce. (higher crime, healthcare, etc.)
2) Reproduction tax. Tax is paid upon birth of child. Held in trust. If divorced before child is age of majority, money is placed in trust for child you screwed!
3) Divorce Tax -- to be paid in equal parts to the state and the child in trust. States can enact comparative fault statute that woud allow assignment of fault for divorce, thus apportioning the rate of tax to be paid by each party.
Since morals and shame no longer dictate how adults conduct themselves in marriage, the State might as well regulate that too. As it is now, the state is left holding the bag when children of divorce raise the cost on society.
How about 5k to get married, 1K for each child, and 10K to get divorced. Hardship waivers in the form of community service would be available for those that cannot pay.
Of course, we could just stop rushing into marriage. And, we could stop glorifying and accepting divorce without stigmitizing it. And, we could get rid of no-fault divorce raise the cost and barriers to divorce. (Which would likely cut down on frivilous marriages).
I think I like that solution better.
Two new cash cows won't help them(demos) in their rehabilitation either, because Republicans have been jealous of them ever since. It would be a competitive thing.
Giving money and power to Government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys. -- P.J. O'Rourke