The (delay in) legalization of gay marriage is actually an example of the decline of our institutions, not a reason to be hopeful. When the Supreme Court struck down bans on interracial marriage in 1967, more than 80% of the country opposed the practice. It would be 30 more years before a majority of the public would approve. With gay marriage, the Court cowardly waited until more than half of Americans already wanted it legalized. There are very few instances in which the Supreme Court has a mandate to override the popular will. Enforcing the letter of the Equal Protection Clause is one of those. The fact that the Court waited until it was politically acceptable to do so is an indicator of infirmity in the institution.