The only proper purpose of a government is to protect man’s rights, which means: to protect him from physical violence. A proper government is only a policeman, acting as an agent of man’s self-defense, and, as such, may resort to force only against those who start the use of force. The only proper functions of a government are: the police, to protect you from criminals; the army, to protect you from foreign invaders; and the courts, to protect your property and contracts from breach or fraud by others, to settle disputes by rational rules, according to objective law.  - Galt’s Speech, For the New Intellectual, 183 (from the Lexicon)   

Here is an awful story about how the US government, once again, is sticking its nose where it doesn't belong and in the process, threatening the ruin the lives of at least two men.  From the link:

Bradford Wells, a U.S. citizen, and Anthony John Makk, a citizen of Australia, have spent the last 19 years together, mostly in an apartment in San Francisco’s Castro district.

Makk gave up his career, started a business in San Francisco and invested in rental property, all to be with Wells and meet various visa requirements. Seven years ago, they married in Massachusetts.

Starting June 13, Makk, 48, faces possible deportation if he remains in the country illegally when his current visa expires. If he leaves, he would not be readmitted, the couple would be all but permanently separated and Wells, who has severe health complications from AIDS, would be left without his spouse and sole caregiver.

“We’re at the end of our rope,” said Wells, 55. “Ever since we met, all we’ve tried to do is be together. The focal point of our lives, everything we’ve done, is just so we could be together.”

Here is the rest of the article.

(H/T to Pablo for referring me to this story.)