Hi gekko ... since you've taken the time to ask questions, I'll do my best to answer .... First of all, let me say that I was giving information on a couple of specific cases .... not stating an opinion.

Second, in no way did I mean to imply that abuse of any kind (against the "state" or against individuals) is inherent in polygamy. I was simply stating that there are only a few cases (well publisized though they may be) in Utah in the last several decades where a polygamist has been prosecuted for something while the press makes it out as being about polygamy. Those couple of cases have been about only a few issues .... so I stated what they are ... there is an additional case which was back in the 70's (or early 80's) where it was about tax fraud as well (I believe the man's name was Alex Joseph - but not absolutely certain on that one).

Third, I think I made it plain that I was talking about larger polygamist groups in the western US .. a great many of which say that they are "fundamentalist Mormon" though the Mormon Church does not and will not allow them to be members if they practice polygamy. Since I don't come from other areas where polygamy is practiced by other groups ... religious or otherwise, I don't know specifics about them, but I am fairly familiar with the ones who claim to have their origins in Mormonism. I personally know people who left their families in the dead of night to get out of a polygamist situation, and who had to hide, change their name, etc. in order not to be "kidnapped" back into it ... But, I don't have a clue how common (or uncommon) that may be, so I am not saying that happens often ... I don't know.

On the issue of the state prosecuting others for "theft of services" ... I don't think that the state uses this as an excuse to TARGET polygamists, but in the situation that I know this was (or is) being tried in the courts in Utah ... that man had several wives (6 or 7 if memory serves me correctly) and several children with each wife ... totalling approximately 30 or more children ... The comment I have heard from those who had been a part of that particular group of polygamists and have left is that they are taught that the state is there to support their religious beliefs in having these families and so it is ok to steal from the state in this situation. Since I've heard that on a "documentary" I cannot personally vouch for whether or not this is true, but I certainly think it is possible. However, I must say that if a duplicate situation were known where polygamy was not factored into it ... I'd still expect the state to prosecute such a flagrant abuse of the system and the laws that are in place.

I do and always have believed that if you don't like a law, you have the option to try to change it ... if you choose to break it, then you are accountable for your own actions.

DISCLAIMER: Everything I've mentioned is in relation to my personal understanding and experience of a few specific cases .. it was never meant to applied across the board of all polygamous marriages!

And on a side note ... nope gekkogekko, my eyes are actually green.