The good news: For the first time a poll has shown that the people in the state of NY favor making gay marriage legal. The 51% tipping point has arrived. (At Right: NY Times photo on report of a gay couple.)

The bad news: The state Senate in Albany is controlled by conservative who, like the religious leaders in Iran, do not give a damn what the people want, and not only do these homophobic legislators not want gay marriage to come to a floor vote, they are fighting to keep it from even coming to the floor.

Question: How are politicians and professional religionists alike?

• They are control freaks.
• They are always behind the curve of societal advancement.
• They live a very comfortable life style at the expense of those who keep them in power.

If this sounds harsh, look at any social issue in the history of the world’s largest democracy, the USA. Our politicians and clergy have historical joined hands to fight civil rights for African Americans, women, and gay people. Both institutions have been years (sometimes centuries) behind where the people were and what the people wanted.

How is a government a democracy if it is failing to pass laws that reflect the wishes of the majority? The New York legislation and a gay friendly governor are in a position to make their state the next place where gay people can legally get married, but a handful of uncaring politicians may keep it from happening.