Marriage existed well before taxes.

Yeah but the american government wasn't regulating marriage before taxes

You'll give them their cake and let them eat it too, how polite.

That's fair.

Somehow it becomes a major political platform while more pressing subversion goes unnoticed via slight of hand. Why they chose to distract, demoralize and inflame us with such nonsense is completely a dead fish

I'm not saying I agree with it, it just seems to me that's the reason the government cares

Yes. Being mugged for money does not cause one to have an interpersonal relationship with the mugger. Being raped does not cause one to have an interpersonal relationship with the rapist. One may be raped or mugged by someone with whom they have an interpersonal relationship. But that is not the defining factor of the action.

No, but it's not just the American government that does. Most if not all governments do, because it's such a fundamental part of society.

Who cares about other governments

To be fair, it was defined as not within the purview of government. So, case closed, I reckon.

All licenses, fees, fines, and taxes are taxes, under law.

If two people are interacting, I'd call that an interpersonal relationship. What's your definition?

People who are attempting to establish if one particular one is somehow at odds with reality.

What you are calling an interpersonal relationship is an encounter. Interpersonal relationships require level 3 communications, not level 1.

Rape is wrong for the same reason taxes are wrong, using violence to take what you want without consent is wrong

@The Mongler, you just advanced to level 7!

We also know that ballot stuffing and absentee ballots have been marred with fraud for years. If the tables were turned, I would be outraged for any candidate but we are talking an American President. Sullied, permnant

I've spent the last 4 years hearing the same people saying there's nothing wrong with this election lose their minds about russian facebook memes

Trump wins = Faith restored?

What is "level 3 communication"? And would your definition thereby exclude frequent rape of the same person?

I'm not disputing that it's wrong.

Trump wins equal the colonization of our nation by the PRC begins to be redressed.

Chattel through the chapel

Most of us would be happy with an honest audit, an honest hearing in court, etc, and if all of these irregularities can be verified leading to biden being the winner we're okay with that

It's the fraud we take umbrage with, not the winner

Hmmmm. I knew there would be different conversations in here than anywhere else, but I did not expect to enter on a debate about rape.

NIfty phrases can be fun, but wrong. As in this case.

Yes, it would exclude that. Rape NEVER has anything to do with the existence or non-existence of a relationship. It is a criminal act of force, not a level of relationship.

Actually untrue.

We don't suspend legal processes for purposes of butthurt. Also, ignorance of what investigative measures are and have been taken does not give license to claim they are insufficient.

No it is not.

Relationships and power dynamics have significant importance to ability to consent.

Or, you can claim it...but you'd just be full of shit.

You're rationalising. The point is that governments have a duty to keep people safe (and therefore rape is illegal), and that can apply to marriage also. For example, it is wrong to marry someone underage; that is one regulation around marriage, without which people would be put in danger.

Or a tool. Possible introduction to China that the dems chided for 30 years and Biden...the traditional Republican puppet selected to enforce accountability. Bahaha!!!

That all.

Anyway, I have productive work to do, so I'll have to leave it there.

Have a good new years! @Philip R

Take care. Happy new year.

@Maw @Philip R As someone that has been raped, I am aware of the intricacies. The act of rape is and is always a criminal act of force. It is not dependent upon nor limited to interpersonal relations. A relationship with an intended victim creates ease of access but does not effect, does not compel, the action. Rape is illegal because it is a physical assault which harms the person assaulted in numerous quantifiable and qualifiable ways.

And no, marriage to someone of any age is not "wrong". Intercourse with someone that is not mature enough physically and emotionally to process the experience as an adult, that is without harm, is wrong.