All Serious Issues Until ... Nobody can have missed that America is facing serious issues. For instance. We're still engaged in Iraq three years after the invasion. The budget deficit is extreme and it's building up a historic and incredible national debt. The areas affected by last years natural disasters are still a mess. The trade deficit is extreme. Et cetera. So, what issue does the Republicans bring up? Gay marriage! There you have an attempt to exploit a wedge issue. Call me paranoid but it seems like Republican concern correlates with election cycles.  ¶ 7:04 PM