Conservative court in California does its level best to distract the electorate from the failed policies of conservativism

Every four years or so some person or court does a stupid thing that is sure to demonize gays and spur the ignoramuses of the extreme right to action.

Once again, thanks to this decision we can count on the religious right and politicos of their ilk (Michelle Bachmann of MN) to avoid the real issues of the day -remember the wars and gas prices and the economy- by railing aganst 'activist judges.'

I am convinced, as evidenced by this decision, that we are now one step closer to our government getting out of the marriage business altogether. With another summer of commentary on the 'sanctity of marriage' vs the 'rights of individuals' , it will eventually need to be asked- What is the governmental interest in all of this?

The answer to that question needs to be more than about protecting individual rights. What is the societal good? If the answer is anything other than to strengthen community in the rearing and education of children or some other purpose for the greater good it would be incomplete.

The government, whether we like it or not, is not here to provide for our happiness. In our nation we are simply allowed the right to endeavor in that pursuit.

Our government has no business in our bedrooms. And if we start defining marriage as some means toward indivdual rights it is only a matter of time before some court somewhere agrees.
At that point, the argument will be that marriage is a matter for churches and not the state.
At that point some local jurisdiction will stop issuing marriage licenses altogether and tell people that if they want to marry they will need to go to a church to do that.

In order to ensure that all people are treated equal under the law the government will eliminate all rights and privileges associated with the institution.