The principles of choice: the issue of health care and same-sex marriage as America votes in 2004

This thesis examines two issues raised during the 2004 Presidential election campaign in the United States. Comparing the candidates' proposals, I will prove that the issue of health care is objectively important in people's lives as many of them lack an affordable and full insurance coverage. I will also present the main steps taken concerning the issue of same-sex marriage in the last decades. Providing related data I will demonstrate that the share of people directly affected by the issue is relatively small. Having a close look at voters' preference of issues when casting their vote, I will find explanation for anomaly in religion as social discourse strongly influencing electoral choice.