[MD] The New Socialism - Wired Magazine

[Arlo Bensinger]

[Lu]
My name is Louise (I also go by Lu), I'm a wife, a mother of 4, and an artist.

[Arlo]
Welcome to the discussion.

[Lu]
In my opinion the rules for who can get married should be much 
stricter than they are. Make it so people have to jump thru' a bunch 
of hoops, tests, requirements, etc.., and then also make it much more 
difficult to dissolve the union...

[Arlo]
I agree (with a caveat mentioned below). In fact, I side with the 
great statesman, former Governor The Body, in finding "divorce" and 
broken heterosexual homes to be a far greater concern regarding the 
welfare of children. This is why I had suggested several posts back, 
that if providing the best environment for children is the goal of 
state-sanctioned marriage, then the state needs to review its 
position on divorce and things like "Vegas weddings". Indeed, I 
wonder which "demeans" the sanctity of marriage more, two loving 
women committed to a life-time of partnership, or two strangers 
getting hitched in a drunken 3 a.m. ceremony in a Vegas chapel by an 
"Elvis" impersonator?

[Lu]
... then I say let ANYONE - who can fulfill the requirements - get married.

[Arlo]
Generally, I find having to "prove" to someone that I am "in love" 
enough to get married problematic. But I do understand your point and 
agree with the sentiment. I am wondering if this is something that 
could be achieved through a cultural lens shift rather than a legal 
form? As an aside, I have a good friend who feels the same way about 
bearing children, that it is something wholly sacred, and that too 
many "heterosexual idiots" are cranking out kids for all the wrong 
reasons (to the detriment of the child). She is of the belief that, 
like getting a driver's license, people should have to demonstrate 
even basic abilities at parenthood before being "allowed" to have 
kids. I understand her sentiment and frustration too, and empathize 
completely, but I see the solution coming via a cultural re-valuing, 
not a state licensing agency.

But, overall, I agree. Glad to have you aboard, Lu.