I think we need a divorce tax—say, $2000 to be paid by the partner at fault in the divorce. The very idea of a no-fault divorce is absurd. If two people agree that neither is at fault, then they should both pay $2000. Think about it—if no one has done anything wrong, why are they getting a divorce?
Someone once said that if you want more of something, subsidize it. If you want less, tax it. Well, somewhere in our past we made divorce entirely too easy. And we made another mistake at the same time. We subsidized mothers for having babies out of wedlock. So we got more divorce, an explosion of little babies with no dads, and all the negative social consequences that entails.
Now, I hope you understand that I have said all this tongue in cheek. Because there is really not much the government can do about social problems except make them worse. Politicians can rage back and forth, but the problem in this country is not with government, it is with the people.
But, wait a minute, the people are the government, aren’t they? This is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, isn’t it? It is, but in spite of everything, we like to think the government is someone else. The problem with marriage, divorce, single moms, illegitimate children, and a whole host of other social ills is not with government. It is a clear reflection of the moral failings of the people. And if you want to do something about that, Government is not the answer. The answer lies in the hearts of the people.
