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This is an aside, but "ain't nobody's business if you do" is a pretty good book, mostly touting libertarian ideas or just for the Government to keep out of private lives, what you do is your business.
Anyway, this book had one of the most striking points i've ever heard. Basically, it said something like: Currently, there is only 1 type of personal partnership recognized by the government, that of a man and a woman who are married/common law married. Imagine if all businesses were restricted to a singular type of partnership. Would there be an uproar by businesses wanting to combine, grow, etc...yes. Simply put, the government realized this and made provisions allowing several different business partnerships to form.
Essentially, the government needs to realize that people really do not want to be restricted in what type of partnership they can engage in. If 7 guys want to live together and receive whatever benefits, then fine, let them. It's their own business. If 3 guys and 4 girls do, fine, 2 guys, fine. whatever. as long as they understand what they are getting into and are willing to be legally bound together, then fine. What business is it of the government?
The other argument made is to simply remove the government's involvement totally. As in, a marriage would be simply between whomever and their respective religious institution. Anything not falling within the religious bounds could be decided upon by legal contracts instead. So if your church doesn't allow gay marriage, you can be legally bound to another person, etc, for purposes of insurance, debt, tax, child-parenting, whatever. Essentially, the government would only view marriages and other interpersonal relationships as binding contracts. Nothing more, nothing less.
I really don't see the need for the gov't to be involved in interpersonal relationships. But hey, that's just me
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Live.
Chris
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