To the editor:

Val Tollefson’s observations on same-sex marriage are highly commendable (“’Yes’ vote on R-74 is the right choice,” Letters, Oct. 12).

But the whole question of the legitimacy or legality of same-sex marriage should be moot.

Marriage is a private arrangement between two (or more in the case of polygamy) private parties.  It may be contractual, written or verbal, or simply an understanding, again, written or verbal. There is no rationale whatsoever for government to be involved. The idea that the parties should have a government license to enter into such an arrangement is absurd.

This, of course, is born out by the existence of countless couples living in a state of marriage with no government sanction.

Some may question how the mutual obligations in marriage would be established. Those, of course, could readily be provided for in the contract or understanding between the two parties.

Government has neither an obligation nor right to be involved in marriage. There is nothing in either the federal Constitution or state of Washington Constitution giving it that right.

Recognition of these simple realities would eliminate all the needless contention over same-sex marriage.

DONALD MARSH

Bainbridge Island