No provision that private citizens or businesses must also recognize said marriage.
They do not have the authority to impose that.
One should not need the federal government's permission to get married
I don't really understand this. Obviously, if a given government is giving you benefits for being married, it is their business whether you are married or not.
touche. I guess I've always fallen into the "Marriage is about love" camp, so I don't consider things like taxes when debating the issue. I suppose the question of custody and legal guardianship is a bit more of a concern, but otherwise it's all you-do-you to me.
I only have issues when they start legally mandating other people participate.
They do not have the authority to impose that.
I don't really understand this. Obviously, if a given government is giving you benefits for being married, it is their business whether you are married or not.
never stopped them before
touche. I guess I've always fallen into the "Marriage is about love" camp, so I don't consider things like taxes when debating the issue. I suppose the question of custody and legal guardianship is a bit more of a concern, but otherwise it's all you-do-you to me.
I only have issues when they start legally mandating other people participate.