As D.C. fiddles...

The U.S. Senate's rejection of a proposed Constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage earlier this month threatens the very future of our country. At least that's what the Republican Party would have you believe. According to a Gallup poll, Americans don't agree. It ranked as only the 33rd most-important issue -- a standing approaching the level of concern about how the United States does in the World Cup.\nThis kind of detachment from reality is why the Republican Party is in trouble approaching this year's elections, but it's also why you and I are in trouble regardless of who is in power. If the Republicans' penchant for focusing on trivial cultural issues, in an attempt to appeal to their conservative base, is the essence of fiddling while Rome burns -- the fact remains that we're the ones living in Rome, and the Democrats aren't exactly the fire department.\nThe Republicans deserve as much scorn as we can heap on them for this mid-blaze recital, but I'm not ready to take comfort in a possible Democratic take-over of Congress later this year. Yes, it's depressing that the Republican-led Congress thinks same-sex marriage and flag burning are more important than issues like the war in Iraq, our dependence on oil, the fate of millions of uninsured or the solvency of the federal government. Yes, it's depressing that they prefer engaging in demagogic debates about trivialities over honest debate about solutions.\nHowever, the Democratic response is almost as depressing. They aren't exactly focusing on the real issues. If the Republican position is to whip ultra-conservatives into a frenzy about the approaching Armageddon, the Democratic position seems to be "George Bush and the Republicans are the devil!"\nNot exactly a constructive position. As depressing as Republican irresponsibility is, it's equally depressing that all the Democrats can offer is a vote against Republicans. They need to offer voters the chance to vote for something.\nPersonally, I'd like to vote for a party that supports higher gas mileage standards, a less antagonistic foreign policy, a balanced budget and less government intrusion in citizens' lives. Since that's just a pipe dream, I'd settle for a party that supports open, honest debate of the issues shaping the future of me and my children.\nThat party doesn't exist right now either. Instead we're plagued with two parties that have made getting elected their number-one priority, instead of running the country wisely. \nDespite the rhetoric from both sides, the United States isn't on the verge of collapse yet -- but our political parties are doing their best to push us there. I don't have any simple answers. The best we can do is to try to take back our government from the politicians. Let your elected representatives know what is important to you. At least, let them know that same-sex marriage is only slightly more important to our country's future than Brangelina's baby.