Reply #6: Why is it necessary for the government to recognize marriages at all.

[gdwill]

The only difference between a marriage and a civil union is it's tax implications right?

Why does the government care? Seriously, if they weren't using extortion to get people to get married, and if only indidivuals and not organizations (ie: companies) nor associations (ie: a married couple), this wouldn't be an issue.

And as for some private company's policy about treating married couples, civil union couples, or unmarried/un-civil unioned people better or worse, that's their prerogative. If you don't like it, shop elsewhere.