The Supreme Court's debate about the legality of DOMA is riveting. At stake are real and practical federal benefits.
The government provides all sorts of protections for married couples, as well as actual monetary rewards. Filing joint tax returns, in many cases, can save some dollars. There are estate taxes and social security benefits.
My single friends sometimes gripe that the government should not be giving any benefits to married people of any sexual orientation. They feel that the workplace gives families too many perks without providing similar provisions to single people. Why should single people have to double up on their workload when others take maternity or paternity leave? Shouldn't all people have to pay the same taxes, regardless of their marital status? Shouldn't a niece who inherits a house from a deceased aunt be exempt from a hefty estate tax?
What do you think?