What we could define as "right wing" politicians have a stranglehold on this disproportionate percentage of representation, because for the last couple of decades, these politicians are strongly aligned with elite businesses and corporations---especially among the energy industry, which is still and is likely to remain one of the strongest, richest and most influential industries not only in our country, but in the world.
As long as these policy makers who represent among their constituents the most intolerant and antagonistic among the population have the support of the big money and industry that can keep them in office not through democracy per se, but through financial power--and as long as this power also includes the ability to have a strong national media influence via FOX News Channels and "independent" ideologues like Rush Limbaugh---the fight for comprehensive gay marriage will remain uphill.
Yes, some battles have been won---but make no mistake that it is a war. One can rest assured that for every battle won, for every state that legalizes, there are those planning and strategizing backlashes. Is Arizona likely to pass gay marriage when they have even legalized the harassment of minorities endorsed by the state itself? What of Utah? Missouri? What of the populations of opponents who remain steadfast even in states where it is already legal?
Some fantastic gains have been made, and those who fought to make them should be proud. But they should also not become overconfident, or falsely see the rock as beginning to roll downhill.
Money drives our country increasingly more so than democracy. And there is some big money behind the politicians who find it politically strategic to not only cater to the more intolerant among us---but also to antagonize and exacerbate their intolerance.
Blacks fought for Civil Rights and achieved some great gains starting now more than 50 years ago. Actual equality has still not been achieved, and some disturbing backslides have occurred, especially in recent years.
Proponents of gay marriage had better be in for the long haul, and should never become overconfident. Promoting overconfidence in one's opponent in order to make devastating strikes while the opponent is complacent is one of the oldest and most effective strategies in the history of conflict.
I give it 5 years max before it's legal everywhere in the U.S. Probably less, because the federal district court judges, both dems and repub are striking down the whole "between a man and a woman" thing when any gay people sue for justice and equality!! : }
I think it'll be closer to 10 years. At some point the sheer number of cases trying to prevent equal rights for gay couples flooding the courts are going to force the federal government to just make it federally recognized.
The Supreme Court had a chance to do that last year but instead decided to kick the can down the road, ruling that the particular cases' rulings stand but only in their particular state.
The brainwashing will be completed in 2 years.
You might as well ask when the second coming of Christ will be.
When do you think same sex marriage will be universal in the US? It seems obvious that younger voters are in favor of it and will continue to promote the percentage of Americans who want to make it legal throughout the country.
