Christine Smith’s Blog

Colorado Government Forces Those in Love To Help Those Who Aren’t

I’ve never paid any attention to the cost of marriage licenses in my state of Colorado, but was only aware that marriage - like almost everything else - is yet another area the state intrudes into so they can take money from people.  Government uses all kids of reasons to justify such taxation and regulation, but all that aside, I was just totally appalled and disgusted at the depths they’ve gone to in Colorado.

While reading the daily newspaper, I came across a story about Colorado raising the costs of motor vehicle registration and marriage licenses.  As I scanned the article, I read that the current cost of a marriage license is $10, but as of July 1, 2009 it will be $30.  And to what can citizens owe this $20 hike? 

Seems the state will now force those in love to pay for those who aren’t.  That’s right.  That extra $20 taken from couples getting ready for their special day is to be put toward a government program called the Colorado Domestic Abuse Fund (it’s already on our CO individual tax forms to check off to make a contribution “to encourage the development and maintenance of domestic abuse programs by non-governmental agencies and units of local government.”).

I’m all for helping people in need, and the sad plight of those who’ve suffered battering/domestic abuse and their children is certainly a sympathetic one. But taxing couples as they prepare to be married is not the way to fund such programs.  In fact, it’s not only wrong (as other forms of licensing/taxation are), it’s downright insulting. It disgusted me to think that a couple preparing for what may be one of the happiest moments of their life are now forced to pay an extra $20 to pay for other people’s lives and their troubles and hardships.  How anyone can twist their mind to the degree to justify imposing such a fee on individuals preparing for marriage is beyond me - but then logic, rationality, and what is just isn’t what I associate with the mind of most politicians. 

Volunteering and contributing to organizations helping those in that situation should be a willing act - not one forced upon people entering into marriage.  Why should a couple in love, soon to be newlyweds, be forced to pay for agencies and programs which are helping domestic abuse victims? 

Of course, as a libertarian, I realize this is just one of many such examples of the legalized thievery of the state, but it was one that I’m surprised there hasn’t been more rejection of.  Maybe it’s because few want to oppose something that’s meant to help such victims, but I don’t care what the “cause” is, I do not believe anyone should be forced to pay for the care and provision of others.

It appears that the initial $10  is used toward government bureaucracy making those “vital statistics” and records to issue marriage licenses, but tacking on a $20 subsidy for domestic abuse is so obvious you’d think even people who accept government intrusion for the most part would oppose this blatant act of disrespect and disregard.

Government at all levels will take any reason, and any situation, and manipulate it into a way to take our money from us. This is just one more example, but it’s one that clearly is wrong and yet it’s not being opposed that I’m aware of.  The tripling of the marriage license fee went through as Colorado Senate Bill 09-068 and was signed into law by Colorado Governor Bill Ritter.

So now couples are coerced into forking out $30, an additional $20 above the $10 previous fee, just because some bureaucrats in Denver decided to make them pay for domestic violence work. 

Now, I’m not surprised at this because I know government bureaucrats often come up with these ideas, other politicians sanction them, and the people passively accept.  Any reason to levy fees is game and they’ll keep extorting our money to to the degree most accept it…including intrusion into the most personal, joyful, and sacred moments of our lives.  It’s just sad.