Even though the stage seems set for a momentous ruling by the court, the litigation actually offers the justices a golden opportunity to resolve these cases without setting a precedent either way, and to reaffirm the ideal of democratic, decentralized decision-making.

WSJ: Michael McConnell: The Constitution and Same-Sex Marriage

Second, how we deal with the problem of democratic legitimacy and accountability of decision-making in the EU, which is a growing concern in most member states.

BBC: William Hague: Britons' EU disillusionment deepest ever

While divided over which candidate to support, Democrats are largely agreed that the battle over delegates needs to be resolved without a sense that superdelegates -- which include Democratic lawmakers, governors, and other VIPs -- are making a decision that opposes what voters want.

CNN: Wooing superdelegates all the way to convention

Supporters say such moves would "streamline" EU decision-making, but opponents argue they would make the institution less accountable and democratic, while undermining the countries' national sovereignty.

BBC: Berlusconi backs Blair for EU job