@Paul4747 Well, enforcing the constitution and the statutes drawn from it is kind of important. For example, without cases like Miranda vs Arizona or Gideon vs Wainwright, the state’s could violate the rights of the citizens without recourse. That’s why it’s important. You may think that polygamy is alright, but there’s a darker side to this kind of thing. Warren Jeff’s is an example of that.
I grew up in SLC. The crazy polygamists from southern Utah were well known. The LaBaron family was notorious. One of those rabid LaBarons killed several attorneys and officers at the county courthouse when I was in college. There’s also the problem of family assistance being abused by these families. I could care less how consenting adults conduct themselves, and I think Reynolds was particularly wrong with regard to fundamental family units, but that’s immaterial. If you want the law changed, change it. Go to the federal government and have it changed.

@SeaGreenEyez so child sexual enslavement is ok. It’s religious feeedom?

@SeaGreenEyez I wasn’t jumping to conclusions.

@SeaGreenEyez It’s factually associated. How’s that nonsensical?

@SeaGreenEyez [epubs.utah.edu]

@SeaGreenEyez factually incorrect? Really? Tell that to the teenage wives in Hilldale and Colorado city who have been traded between polygamist families and forced into unwanted marriages or the teenage boys that have been kicked out of their homes because the older gents don’t want the competition. They’re literally homeless and unprepared for life in general. There are plenty of articles besides this plus numerous legal assessments from Utah state. But perhaps you just missed that we were talking about a friggin Utah state statute that addresses these particular groups who are quite literally outside the law, and now are encouraged to continue operations with the tacit approval of Utah state. Not Goa, not Guatemala, not khazakstan, not Iceland ... but Utah. Im sure there is some polygamist group that doesn’t abuse kids, but Warren Jeffs and his ilk are not among those. And when you generate a statute that pointedly doesn’t address the crap in Hildale, then you’re morally responsible for your negligence.

@SeaGreenEyez .Yeah a myth according to who,you ? This information is from a database from 171 countries researched from the woman’s Stats PROJECT and many other articles .I suggest you do some research before making Unsubstantiated claims.

@TheMiddleWay First and foremost polygamy Sanctions and perpetuates gender inequality with co-wives officially and patently subordinated to their husbands .How many articles and how much evidence do you want me to post here ?This is not the only piece of information I have read on this subject .Do the research yourself .People believe what they want to, especially on this site

@SeaGreenEyes. I never said pedophilia was a Mormon thing nor did I say I hate these people .What are you talking about?

Decades ago their young had the highest suicide rate in the USA. Many attributed that to them skipping life, as ‘heaven’ was sold as such a preferable place.. I wonder.

@Varn I have heard a lot of the old men run a lot of the good looking young boys off to make sure their women don't stray.

@SeaGreenEyez Interesting. But, are you sure? I mean, what about tax laws? Surely the federal government has some law about how many people, filing taxes as "married" can be in that marriage?

@SeaGreenEyez Interesting, thanks.

The nail gun is only a distraction from the root canal!

That is what I was thinking.

@SeaGreenEyez According to IRS.gov, your spouse is never considered your dependent.

@SeaGreenEyez Yes, I see.

This is why I hire a tax guy . I know that I am not qualified.

@SeaGreenEyez But what if some of those dependent also work and have an income? Also, what about filing several joint returns?

@AmyTheBruce I once worked for a large accounting firm and the tax lawyers were trained in the art of loopholing. Also, when I worked there a lot of them were mormons [sic]. In fact they started to push the envelope and did a lot of shady deals. PBS Frontline did an expose' and they ended up removing their 'consulting' branch and paid a big fine. In my position I was privy to some of their shady deals.

@SeaGreenEyez A very close friend was once an IRS agent and worked in American Samoa. She was also godfree and really pushed the Johnson amendment on the local churches (American Samoa is full of churches). Groups do fight the IRS and if they are religious they usually get away with it. FFRF sued them in court twice and won both times (again Johnson amendment). The IRS tried to say since they make the rules they can break them. Wrong on both counts. Now with POS in charge it seems they do especially if the client is well heeled.
As far as the client goes a large number of clients for my firm, KPMG Peat Marwick, were wealthy. I had a case of a manager asking me to create records for some fictitious company (colors) and then sub folders for things as Fir, or pine or some other tree company. One case was for the retiring CEO of Nintendo who wanted to find a place to put his millions away from the IRS. The company started issuing 'opinion letters' meaning they gave assurances that the clients investments were, in their opinion, above board and if they were wrong the client needed to only pay regular taxes and no penalty taxes. In the PBS expose' it was shown the company would buy out certain (usually European) utility companies and then rent them back to the utility (this was for cash strapped companies). A streetcar system and even a sewerage company were bought out. The opinion letter, of course, came with a hefty, up front charge. Furthermore, I had to put these records in a closed and sealed room. I once questoned the manager on this. This was a woman who was a friend and we even went to her marriage reception. She got red and walked away. Again, money and power rules.

@SeaGreenEyez Yes it is a sad reality but it has been this way for ages. Sometimes the wealthy do good things but too often they give in to their baser instincts and create misery for others.
These posts and comments really stir up a lot of memories. Many from the good/bad old days at KPMG. Funny when I lived in Germany on the way home from work I went past a building that advertised KPMG Treuhand. Never imagined working for them.

Many states have clauses that allow parents to give permission to those that are under age to marry, so there might not be enough protection.

@MizJ That's true. I forgot about that - but always hope that laws will prevent harm to minors.

@SeaGreenEyez that is a surprise! In the past that is still taboo when people start the polyamory/polygamy discussion.

Thats because they have a President who panders his bloated ASS off to the Evangelicals that make up the majority of his base. Without them he has nada...zip...bubkis...squat...jack shot...nothing.

@phoenixone1 What's going on in Utah started long before 45 ever showed up.
The mormons have entrenched themselves in state politics, going back decades.
The evangelicals aren't mormons. They're just as fanatical, but not the same.
Neither faction claims the other.

That said, the lds was founded by a con man.
Like an actual documented, criminal con man.
But the suckers believe it.
Just like all the other believers.

@KKGator
Jack Mormons know how Utah and its selected specially blessed under ware wearing government is!!!

@Jetty I agree. Right now the government gives preferential treatment to marriage. No law should discriminate on the basis of marital status. The only legal effects of marriage should be those specifically written into the contract that the members of that union enter into. My belief, of course. The government should not be influencing the types of relationships that consenting adults can in or giving particular types of relationships special treatment or benefits.