Should the government even regulate marriage? According to Oklahoma State Representative Mike Turner, the answer is an emphatic “No!”
Turner is proposing a ban on all marriage. “They’re willing to have that discussion about whether marriage needs to be regulated by the state at all,” Turner talked to KWTV, about his constituents’ interest in the marriage ban idea. He also said that his fellow conservatives feel the same way.
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Opponents say that Turner is proposing this ban to keep same sex marriage in Oklahoma illegal. Oklahoma’s ban on same sex marriage was recently found unconstitutional.
“Would it be realistic for the State of Oklahoma to say, ‘We’re not going to do marriage period?'” Turner was asked. He replied, “That would definitely be a realistic opportunity, and it’s something that would be part of the discussion.”
Turner’s outlook is consistent with his own values. According to Mike Turner’s campaign website, “I will stand for the traditional values that have made this country great. Some believe values like faith and family are outdated. I believe they are timeless. I’ll support the right to life, Second Amendment freedoms, the rights of students to pray in school and our right to publicly express our faith.”
Turner said that he plans to see how the federal appeals process turns out before moving forward with the marriage ban.
The dispute over Oklahoma’s ban on same-sex marriage remains headed to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Ask those in the liberty movement their opinion on marriage and you’ll get a broad spectrum of opinions. In 2012, Libertarian Party presidential candidate and former governor Gary Johnson said that marriage equality is a civil right under the Constitution. Ron Paul believes that the government should get of the marriage business completely. He says that it should be done by the church or private contracts. See video. Both believe that marriage “is none of the government’s business.”
What’s your opinion? Please comment below.
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