So, you've got a government that's built up the largest debt in human history, has about 1000 military bases spread around the world, is currently engaged in two wars (officially), another with Pakistan (unofficially), is threatening Iran and Russia with the same, is (to a greater or lesser extent) backing an attempted coup in Bolivia, and all the while it's economy rapidly plunges into the toilet as a truly astronomically sized speculative bubble starts to burst.
And what do people get worked up about?
Gay marriage.