I can see the larger context beyond gaming. We have far too many pandering politicians as is, and we have far too many politicians on the prowl for defenseless scapegoats to hang the woes of society upon. How terribly easy is it to blame violence or delinquency on games, movies, music, or drugs. All you need is to look tough on things that millions of people hate. Not that you actually have to do anything beyond saying you dislike it.
These things aren't the problem, and playing to them being the problem is never going to solve the problem. You cannot cure blindness by amputating a leg. The closer to the source of a problem you are the more effectively you can treat the problem. Instead of blaming the media, and doing nothing. You should be asking why so many parents are doing such a poor job. How can you help these parents do a better job. How can you augment failing parents with positive role models for children.
Despite what many people think programs that address these problems are having a positive impact upon society. After school programs, sports programs, tutoring, and community groups all support the family. They are many times more effective then legislating morality that must be enforced. Save a little money on police, and put it into things that prevent poor behavior in the first place.
We need more politicians that do not pander, do not placate, and are actually interested in resolving problems. Rather then someone who is going to sit on their ass for four years, and play to the status quo. Why do we have the war on drugs. For example how is this helping society at all. The answer it isn't locking up three or four million people is only going to shatter families. Breed superior maladjusted criminals, and thus create more violent crime. This will never change as long as we elect pandering politicians. They are less interested in solving problems logically then pandering to niche constituencies.
I also do not think this hurts Democrats either. All it does is garner more recognition to the democratic platform. The Republicans screwed up by not having a better field. The Democrats are going to dominate the air waves for months, and the Republicans are going to be forgotten. That is the irony more screen time will create a greater sense of recognition.
