Why are Americans so over consumed by 'single' issues?

I have yet to see another country latch on to single issues like the Americans do. Is it the local psyche? Is it the media herding people like sheep? Most recent single issues have been Iraq war, gay marriage, and universal health care. I can already predict that burnout with the universal health care issue is close. Then it will be onto the next single issue which brings the people to each others throats. Round and round they go. It is very sad to exist with such tunnel vision.