This article, and many others like it, tell the tale of why it's more than just state legislators that are chiming into the discussion: http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/why-the-democrats-learned-to-love-same-sex-marriage/2011/09/07/gIQAKezfFK_story.html?hpid=z5
Local issues can break into the national scale when the scope of the issue can represent a change in the fundamental mindset of the country - who we are and who we think we are as a nation, and whether we're going to be progressive or stick or our conservative roots. This issue has that going for it, in addition to giving politicians a chance to make a huge statement to their constituents about where they stand.
The sides supporting the issue tend to be on the left side of the spectrum, supporting the idea that the concept of marriage should expand to include the most people. Opponents are on the side of valuing a "sanctity of marriage". But, if the left is the one promoting and supporting this issue, why would a notorious blue state like Maryland not allow a legalization effort slip through their state senate with ease?
More important than either side of this issue is the middle. The center of the country has to think very hard about where it lies, whether it is more interested in progression through civil rights or defending an institution that is usually associated through religion.
Arizona, the prototypical Red state these days, are behaving exactly the way you would expect them to - by making strong statements about protecting the sanctity of marriage. In a state that will largely legislate based on religious ethics and conservative ideology, and based on voting records, the voters have no problem with that, or else they wouldn't continue to fill the local legislature and government with conservative politicians.
"You can't believe everything you read on the newspapers and see on TV."
In reference to this class, this means to me that you can't always trust the news media, I don't consider it much of an insult to my craft. Though there are those nasty people will always disrespect the work the media does, there are a lot of people who realize the pressure that is put on the media by a rapidly changing news environment. Though they would like to tell every story as completely and thoroughly as possible, time and space constraints, as well as subscription and ratings numbers put a really tough strain on the average news organization. This means that you can't always expect for a news organization to stay with a story and analyze every detail for you. If you don't tailor your news consumption to the news services who present the story that best suits your interests, and then not be afraid to do your homework to see what things aren't being said.
I think gay marriage is definitely an issue that affects local politics, but I would have to say that makes it a national issue being debated on a local level. It's becoming more focused in certain states and locales like New York and California because of the laws and the demographics in those states, but it can't necessarily be considered a local issue because it is so widespread.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your ideas about the quote, because I also am involved in the journalism industry and I don't take it personally when people are skeptical. I think it makes us better journalists.
Hi Michael. This is Dee Collins from PAF 494. This is a great article. Same-sex marriage is definitely a political issue that is all abuzz both locally and nationally. Though the decision for this is made state by state we are the United States and there is a national divide on this issue. I saw an episode of the Dr. Phil show where he had representatives from both sides regarding the same-sex marriage being approved and then overturned in California. It was interesting how same-sex marriage supporters compared it to a racial civil rights issue. On the opposite side a large part of the concern was what children were being and would be taught in schools about what marriage is defined as between two people. It was concluded that inappropriate behavior had taken place from both sides with defending their viewpoints. Corporations even received threats in the way of exposing their position to their customers with the possibility of loosing consumer support. Once again, great article. It is well written and I appreciate you sharing your views.
ReplyDeleteGreat commentary. Since you're interested in running for office in Maryland, it's fantastic that you're looking at local issues that influence local politics there. It's also a hot national issue. Check out this article: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0911/63477.html
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