The social and political winds are beginning to howl down south. The intensity and division behind two specific issues have taken center stage in American public life. The issues I’m talking about are the revolving topics of same-sex marriage and gun control.
With the re-election of President Barack Obama, the outcome of the tragic Newtown school shooting in December, and the timing of the American Supreme Court’s case hearing on the now-infamous California Proposition 8, these long nagging issues are relevant again. We’ve all heard about the gun problem in the United States, but for many years no one had the motivation or eagerness to attempt to even have dialogue over the obvious dilemma.
Since the Newtown shooting there has been a renewed push towards creating stricter gun laws and introducing some type of gun control in general. Ideas are being discussed in and outside Washington, D.C., such as expanded background checks, an assault weapons ban, and capping high-profile magazine clips. Even outside the political halls the fight is taking effect. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is leading and mainly sponsoring a massive multi-million dollar campaign broadcasting support for tougher gun laws; many heavy populated urban city mayors are vowing their support and joining in the battle as well. However, not everyone agrees; American opinions on gun control are basically split right down the middle.
With the presence of large and influential lobby groups, such as the National Rifles Association (NRA) and other pro-gun organizations, the battle is fierce. As Mayor Bloomberg is spending lots of money, along with other mayors concerned about gun violence, the NRA is hitting back with their wide variety of resources. Even with millions of dollars being spent on trying to influence the everyday person, it will be harder to campaign against guns. The gun culture is deeply instituted in American tradition and a part of everyday American life. Additionally, the fact that their constitution guarantees a “right to bear arms,” no idea or solution to the issue will actually be safe to implement without the threat of being deemed “unconstitutional.”
As this battle continues, another one has just started – even though it’s been a general issue for decades. The Supreme Court is currently discussing and debating the constitutionality over Proposition 8, a referendum that proposed to define marriage as “only between a man and a woman that is valid or recognized in California.” Just as the gun issue, this one is tense and divides Americans. Even though support is rising for same-sex marriage, especially with young people, it’s not a universal idea shared by a lot of Americans. The United States is still considered a religious country, especially in the south and the Midwest. The discussion of same-sex marriage in these regions is considered too extreme and most states don’t even recognize the idea of civil unions; as matter of fact, only nine states and the District of Columbia have recognized same-sex marriages.
In the U.S. the idea is still very new and, for many people, hard to cope with. The Supreme Court won’t make its ultimate decision on the proposition until June, but whatever decision it does make will serve as a major precedent on future and current legislation that identifies marriage between one man and one woman. Basically, this will be a landmark case and will go down in history as the moment that began the wide recognition of same-sex marriage across the United States – if the court decides to mark Proposition 8 as unconstitutional. Rallies for and against Proposition 8 have already started and regardless of the result, the outcome will be hard to swallow for the other side.
These two issues have been a concern for many years now, and this year has the potential to be one for the ages, where much can change. More than likely the same-sex marriage issue will be resolved rather than the gun issue. But, even if nothing is ultimately done, the renewed dialogue over the issues in general is important to have; it engages the public as a whole and the truth over these issues can be separated from the false facts and propaganda. 2013 should be a very active and intense year for American political and public life. Get ready for the ride.
