of course I know that "domestic" in the Constitution refers to "inside our national borders". It was the "Tranquility" and the "Blessings of Liberty", and "General Welfare" that I was trying to emphasize. What are the "Blessings of Liberty"? The Declaration of Independence mentions "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness".
Breaking marital vows is breaking an important covenant between two people who often are in the process of raising children, who are the future adult citizens of our country. Breaking marital vows generally has a negative effect on family life, causing unhappiness, etc. Sometimes children bear the wrath of their parent's bad mood. No matter how you slice it, the Federal government has authority and National interest in "insuring domestic tranquility". We want to be a healthy, happy, prosperous people. When you break a marital vow, you do harm someone else. You break a bond of trust, etc. I've never heard anyone recommending breaking marital vows as a way to make a happier family life. Nevertheless, our government doesn't throw people in jail for adultery. But it's definitely in the Consitution, as I see it, that "general welfare" and "domestic tranquility" refers directly to the happiness of the people. If the Federal government can find ways in which to assist and guide people in ways in which to have a happier, healthy life with those we live with and work with, I think the authority is there to assist and encourage, as long as the ways aren't oppressive and unreasonable. It's all a matter of degrees as to how much is expedient. |
