My astute friends, Lew and Wendy, missed the point on this issue. The state is only protecting its property interests in prosecuting the runaway bride. Most people long ago abandoned their claims to self-ownership, so the state simply asserted its claim over our lives. The would-be bride – like the rest of us – only had “custody” of herself, with the state reserving its “ownership” rights. Remember, the 13th Amendment didn’t end slavery, but only nationalized it! When this woman left without informing others, she was elevating her mere “possessory” interests in herself over that of her true “owners.” It’s … Continue reading Punishing Runaway Brides