The madness of crowds

The crowds greeting Barack Obama on the campaign trail base their allegiance on amorphous hopes. They bring with them feelings of citizen discontent and distress over conditions in America. Most of their present unrest, unfortunately, has been fed and promoted by a media who support Obama for President. Even though their man is a blank slate, followers use their imagination to fill in the blanks according to their needs. Devotees project onto him what they wish without analysis or care. His calls for socialism and government paternalism are irrelevant. In a 1960 book studying crowds and power, an explanation is offered that a crowd is based on an illusion of equality and its quest is for that moment when"distinctions are thrown off and all become equal. It is for the sake of this blessed moment, when no one is greater or better than another that people become a crowd." With John McCain’s crowds, there are few illusions and many realistic expectations. McCain supporters bring with them diverse points of view which call for rational answers to present problems. But Obama’s ‘people,’ despite his aura of detachment and superficial eloquence, imbibe of their Messiah’s false, magical potions. If he loses next week, they will be in for heartbreak, perhaps insane confusion. Obama’s crowds are only a fist and footstep away from becoming mobs. Then the change they have been hoping for could become grim reality.