Oh good grief, things are a mess and Kansas is passing a covenant Marriage bill

[demtenjeep]

By DAVID KLEPPER
Eagle Topeka bureau
TOPEKA — Kansas lawmakers have a plan to put the lock back in wedlock: optional "covenant marriages" that could be ended only for specific reasons or after a trial separation.

To break these bonds of matrimony, couples would have to undergo marriage counseling and live apart for at least a year. Divorces also could be granted after an infidelity, or when one spouse has committed domestic violence or been convicted of a serious crime.

Couples would have to undergo premarital counseling to qualify, and sign an affidavit affirming that their marriage is for life. Covenant marriages also would cost more — $25 on top of the existing $69 marriage license fee.

Married couples could upgrade to the covenant marriage, too.

The House endorsed the measure Thursday. A final vote today would send the bill to the Senate.



Read more: http://www.kansas.com/196/story/1188576.html?storylink=omni_popular#ixzz0g2QOZSBH

[CurtEastPoint]

1. Upgrade? What is this? Frequent Marriage Miles? n/t

[Initech]

7. You spelled it wrong - it's Upgrayedd. With two Ds for a double-dose of pimping.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

26. And that post comes with a double dose of Mike Judge.

Huh huh. I said "comes."

[sam sarrha]

2. just bury them up to their waist and stone them to death for divorcing..why mess around, the

Demionionists are taking over anyway

[Rockholm]

3. Creepy. Very creepy.

[imnKOgnito]

4. Sounds like a way...

to ensure an increase in infidelity to me. Or, worse, domestic abuse.

[Barack_America]

6. Or murder/suicide.

I would imagine "death" is an permissible out.

[demtenjeep]

14. I can see this

and it is sad

[Barack_America]

5. That'll bring the jobs back...

:eyes:

[Mari333]

8. good reasons to leave Kansas No 2,749

[demtenjeep]

13. Guess Kansas thrives on living in the 1800's

the comments are quite funny

[Canuckistanian]

9. What's in it for me?

What's the benefit for ME, other than a warm, fuzzy feeling?

Will this make divorce harder? Cost me more money? Make it harder on my kids?

Qui friggin' bono here?

[demtenjeep]

10. nothing

just makes it harder to get a divorce and costs more money

[cbdo2007]

11. What do you want to bet that divorce rates are higher for these couples?

[demtenjeep]

12. I think it may lead to more domestic violence

and claims of infidelity

[BattyDem]

15. I don't get it. Why would anyone do this?

If they want to undergo marriage counseling, they can do it. Nothing is stopping them. If they want a trial separation, they can do that. If one or both of them have no interest in doing either of those things, then the marriage is already over. Having the government force them to stay together is not going to help matters, it's just going to make things worse because at least one person is going to feel very trapped. It's not a covenant, it's a recipe for violence!

Note to engaged couples:
If you believe that you and/or your fiance will need to be forced by law to stay together, you probably should rethink the whole marriage thing.

[LeftyMom]

18. Social pressure.

You can bet churches are going to push it or even require it for marriages they perform. Nosy aunties will want to know if you chose the Now With Extra Jesus! New and Improved marriage or the store brand. Future in-laws will question your commitment if you balk at doing the covenant instead of a more usual marriage, etc.

[BattyDem]

24. "Now With Extra Jesus!"

:rofl:

[donco6]

20. "If you REALLY loved me, we'd be Covenant Married!"

Boo Hoo.

[upi402]

16. Upsell the extremists? Would you like the undercoating and Scotchguard too?

"Covenant marriages also would cost more — $25 on top of the existing $69 marriage license fee."
As is that's going to make the Righties think twice before going after the farm animals.
:rofl:

[LeftyMom]

17. All that means is that you have to say your STBE is banging a coworker/neighbor/pet

or that they slapped you around if you want out ASAP. Expect more false reports.

[pipoman]

19. Kansas is and has been a no fault divorce and division of assets state

meaning that there is no merit in proving infidelity or most any other marital infraction prior to divorce. This is a good thing IMO and I don't see that changing any time soon.

[redwitch]

21. The comments are wonderful.

archef wrote on 2/19/2010 8:07:10 AM:

No problems here in this state. Our lawmakers have solved all the big issues and are now fine tuning all those pesky little problems like mountain lions and bad marriages. Next up is a proposal that is the "Family Covenant" whereby you agree to have at least 4 children, a dog, a white picket fence and meatloaf on Sundays.

LOL

[demtenjeep]

25. yes, there were some great comments

and many truly recognize that this crosses the line between seperation of church and state

[Tutankhamun]

22. What a moronic idea. This "now with more Jesus" marriage would actually encourage cheating.

People would just cheat and catch themselves on camera to show the judge. This is particularly true if Kansas has a "no fault" system. People would actually be unfaithful not for sex, but for divorce.

[surrealAmerican]

23. This is what happens when ...

... you elect idiots to the state legislature.

[kevinbgoode]

27. Funny...these "covenant" marriages don't seem to get much traction

among the general population. The numbers electing them continue to decline in Arkansas - in Arizona, less than 1/4 of ONE percent of new marriage licenses take the "covenant" option, and in Louisiana, the number seems to hold a bit over ONE percent.

Someone needs to explain why the state legislature, especially one that went ballistic at the very THOUGHT of same-sex marriage and went wild trying to pass a constitutional amendment, is so unwilling to put this covenant travesty up for a PUBLIC vote? And how many of this tiny minority who choose "covenant" would refuse to marry without some state law granting them some crazy-ass special rights designation?

Any state legislator who voted for this crap, or wasted his/her time pushing for this crazy idea should be tossed out on his/her ear next election. If they are going to pass ANY law, it should be one prohibiting marriage between people who, apparently, require that the State have greater power to interfere with their relationship because they can't trust themselves to engage in keeping their vows.