Why is gay marriage such a big issue? What about flag burning?

I agree 100% Since when does the topic of gay marriage take precendence over the life of a child, or flag burning become an issue debated as a top priority over that of the failing public education system? Why do we concentrate more of our time looking at issues so petty compared to the extreme social decline facing our country? Why has apathy become rampant and have fiscal aquisitions become all-consuming? You have someone sayiing "Gay marriage? Not in MY country!" How about poverty? That's ok? -- Children without proper medical care? Not your problem? -- When do we wake up and take responsibility and how did our country get to this place? Where is our sense of community? Until these fundamental questions are addressed by us as a society as a whole, as well as our government--we are in REAL trouble.