Call it what you will, I have my own personally theories about what is going on. I've been typing about it all night so I feel a bit repetitive at this point. I believe that finance and how commerce and economic rise and fall are controlled more by some old farts with old money than who is president. Our voices are only heard with regards to social change. They are wise enough to know that once you've messed with a minority (or various types) long enough, and they have sufficient numbers, there will be riots and chaos. So they allow the people to vote on things and allow minorities certain rights depending on how likely they are to fall in line and better serve the economic machine.