I had hoped the “yet” would keep things just right: between overreaction and passiveness and in the place where people are act vigorously, within the democratic space, to meet what are real challenges. I’m not sure “Obama” is the problem. The long term trends are. When Bill Clinton recently remarked that they had just ‘won the culture wars’ he was referring to the same trends. If Obama didn’t exist, they would invent him.

But I don’t think that totalitarianism is around the corner because the situation is too unstable for the cement to set. The world is changing very rapidly, and it’s a fair bet that the very classes that are entrenching themselves in power are swallowing Kool-Aid by the bucket along with it. While I am not convinced totalitarianism lies around the corner, although I am convinced it will try, I am fairly sure we are in for unsettled times. I can’t even begin to guess how unsettled. But at all events, it’s the time to stay cool and focused.