# Stupid Republican idea of the day **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 26, 2009, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897 "2009-03-26T18:48:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1101
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2015, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/22002 "2015-06-04T18:00:28Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > This is kind of muddled, so I cannot tell whether it is stupid or the other thing: [Alabama state senate votes (22-3) to eliminate all marriage licensing and replace them with notarized contracts](http://truthinmedia.com/alabama-senate-approves-bill-to-abolish-marriage-licensing/). > > As much as it looks like throwing up the hands and stomping off in a huff, it may be the trend. Alabama as trendsetters. Hurts my head. Seems reasonable enough… until you get to the money quote (bolding mine): > [@](#): > > “The intent or motives behind this bill are a moot point. **By removing the state from the equation, no one can force another to accept their marriage** , nor can they force another to reject that person’s own beliefs regarding an institution older than government,” wrote Shane Trejo for the Tenth Amendment Center. ---
**Author:** ![CGav8r](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/34f0e0/32.png) [@CGav8r](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CGav8r)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2015, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/22003 "2015-06-04T18:04:57Z")
> [@](#): > > “…an institution older than government.” The Freemasons? ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2015, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/22004 "2015-06-04T18:15:27Z")
> [@CGav8r](#): > > The Freemasons? Prostitution? Actually, this brings up an interesting point. Can I make the notarized marriage contract be for one night? There’s nothing wrong with signing a contract in exchange for a consideration. Does this effectively legalize prostitution in Alabama? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2015, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/22005 "2015-06-04T18:18:28Z")
Contracts are not enforceable for perpetuity, so I can’t see why a contract can’t be in force for just one night, or just 10 minutes for that matter. OTOH, it’s unclear what that means in relations to alimony or other divorce-related issues. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2015, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/22006 "2015-06-04T18:30:27Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Contracts are not enforceable for perpetuity, so I can’t see why a contract can’t be in force for just one night, or just 10 minutes for that matter. > > OTOH, it’s unclear what that means in relations to alimony or other divorce-related issues. Yeah, it might be a shock to the relatives if someone had a coronary while participating in the honeymoon portion of a 24 hour “marriage” and some lucky lady wound up with the whole estate. I guess it would make sense to insert a prenup into the contract. Another related thought – what if I decided to sign a contract with multiple vendors? Again, the state has apparently abdicated any sort of responsibility for my nuptial arrangements, so what do they care? ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2015, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/22007 "2015-06-04T18:30:41Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Abortion of viable babies? There’s viable, and then there’s viable enough to live outside the womb, only to die a short time later after much suffering. [http://www.aheartbreakingchoice.com/24Weeks/After24Weeks.aspx](http://www.aheartbreakingchoice.com/24Weeks/After24Weeks.aspx) ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2015, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/22008 "2015-06-04T18:34:36Z")
The “alimony” would be stipulated in the contract: $100, same as downtown. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2015, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/22009 "2015-06-04T18:43:49Z")
> [@Finagle](#): > > Actually, this brings up an interesting point. Can I make the notarized marriage contract be for one night? There’s nothing wrong with signing a contract in exchange for a consideration. Does this effectively legalize prostitution in Alabama? Holy hell, good catch. Also hilarious. **Stainless Steel Rat** , you gotta. For (legal) Science!. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2015, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/22010 "2015-06-04T18:52:42Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Kendihuchrodnamixgenesis Gesundheit! ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2015, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/22011 "2015-06-04T19:03:32Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > Gesundheit! Salud! ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2015, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/22012 "2015-06-04T19:06:57Z")
Jomomma! ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2015, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/22013 "2015-06-04T19:09:34Z")
KAMPAIIIII ! (I legit have a hard time pulling that one out without screaming IRL. Not sure why. Anyway, na zdarovie.) ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2015, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/22014 "2015-06-04T20:09:35Z")
> [@Finagle](#): > > Yeah, it might be a shock to the relatives if someone had a coronary while participating in the honeymoon portion of a 24 hour “marriage” and some lucky lady wound up with the whole estate. I guess it would make sense to insert a prenup into the contract. > > Another related thought – what if I decided to sign a contract with multiple vendors? Again, the state has apparently abdicated any sort of responsibility for my nuptial arrangements, so what do they care? They thought of the second one: > [@](#): > > The bill would only allow two adult parties to join in marriage and would prohibit currently-married people from marrying a second time. So polygamy is right out. But depending on how they’ve worded it, prostitution seems potentially right in: > [@](#): > > Party A and Party B declare themselves married for the duration of June 14, 2015, and agree that said marriage will be dissolved at the end of said day. Party A will give to Party B $100 in recognition of the joy said marriage brought. Party B agrees that $100 will be the sole recompense. > > If either or both parties should die prior to marriage dissolution, both parties agree that they shall not inherit each others estates, except for the previously agreed $100. Probably needs something about children, but I don’t think you could remove joint responsibility for them in any case. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2015, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/22015 "2015-06-04T20:35:36Z")
> [@Sandwich](#): > > I’m sure that won’t happen. I have it on the _very best authority_: LOL! _golf claps_ 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2015, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/22016 "2015-06-04T21:47:22Z")
Donald Trump has a “beautiful”, foolproof plan to defeat ISIS. [He just can’t tell us what it is until he becomes President.](http://www.thewrap.com/donald-trump-has-foolproof-plan-to-defeat-isis-but-he-wont-share-it/) ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2015, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/22017 "2015-06-04T22:19:54Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Donald Trump has a “beautiful”, foolproof plan to defeat ISIS. [He just can’t tell us what it is until he becomes President.](http://www.thewrap.com/donald-trump-has-foolproof-plan-to-defeat-isis-but-he-wont-share-it/) He’ll just fire them. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2015, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/22018 "2015-06-04T22:51:02Z")
> [@BigAppleBucky](#): > > From society’s point of view, a marriage is essentially a contract. N.B.: A contract with **three** parties – the bride, the groom, and the state. That’s a very well-established principle in family law, it is why you can’t get a divorce without going to court. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2015, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/22019 "2015-06-04T22:53:34Z")
> [@Finagle](#): > > I think it qualifies as a stupid Republican idea that Rick Perry is giving it another shot for POTUS. Goddamn it, Republicans, I don’t want to be one of those voters who reflexively reaches for the “D” lever on voting day. But if you’re going to load your slate with incompetents, sociopaths, religious extremists and self-serving demagogues, then I just can’t take you seriously. Of the declared candidates, I think Pataki, from what little I know of him, is the only one I’d even trust to do more than run the local water board, and he has virtually no chance. > > Seriously, is it too much to ask for them to run a candidate who the thought of them winning doesn’t actively terrify me? Yes, it is too much to ask, because no such candidate would satisfy what has become the GOP’s base, you know that. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2015, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/22020 "2015-06-04T23:06:53Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > He’ll just fire them. I think the plan will include hair pieces in some way. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2015, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/22021 "2015-06-04T23:09:58Z")
This Alabama marriage could be a gold mine for notaries, in their white shirts, ties, and eyeshades, hanging around corners in the fun part of Mobile. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1100) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1102)