Trigger words: marriage (2) marriages (2)
Indicator sentences: if your premise is that marriage is a system existing primarily to bestow benefits on groups of people for choosing to mingle their assets and co-habitate, I would disagree.
Negotiation parts: When a friend tells me that they're getting married, it's a joyous occasion, likely to be followed by celebration. Celebration of joint tax returns to come, or shared health benefits? I really don't think that's it. Marriage, in modern society, is viewed as a deeply meaningful symbolic gesture of love and commitment. That's the part I value. The laws and benefits could all go out the window, and I honestly don't believe our society would be much the worse for it (though obviously there would be a fair bit of legislative reworking to be done). But then you don't need the government at all. Just get a marriage ceremony done by any religious or secular organization to celebrate that love and commitment. You can already do that. You do not need the government to give you permission to enter into an official civil marriage if you don't even value the laws and benefits that come with it. Well there are a few laws that feel important to me, in regards to the sharing of assets, hospital visits, inheritance and the like. And as /u/PepperoniFire pointed out, there are thousands of references to marital status built into US law, it would be impractical to ignore them.