Marriage poll

[SheilaT]

64. There are all sorts of civil things that accrue to

married partners. Which is why any two humans who want to get married should be able to, regardless of the gender assortment. The state is right to set minimum ages, and to restrict each person to one spouse at a time.

Something no one in the thread has mentioned so far is Social Security benefits that spouses get. Even divorced spouses if the marriage lasted long enough, at least ten years. I believe there are also benefits that military spouses and widows get. If the government is out of the picture entirely these things will disappear.

While many people do choose to have a religious ceremony when they marry, what makes it legal in this country, what confers the benefits and privileges is the civil union. No civil union, no legal marriage.

I have too often seen the down side of couples who say they don't need to be married, that marriage is just a piece of paper and then wham! something terrible happens to one of the two and the other is completely left out of something or another, such as social security benefits, inheritance, medical coverage.

As to that last, since our system in this country is that people mostly get their medical insurance through the employer, and spouses and children up to a certain age are covered, imagine all the millions who would suddenly be without health-care coverage if your idea were put into effect.

I'm not sure you've really thought through the consequences.