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Your clarification is helpful and erudite. A reliance upon traditional liberalism is, however, misleading in the modern era. Classical liberalism is not vested in the modern Democrat party. The great liberal traditions of 19th century are most closely enunciated today by conservative ideology.

Today's so-called liberals are actually much more closely aligned with the Utopian socialism you describe. A majority of Americans support just this kind of state-ism.

Obama is clearly in the Utopian socialist tradition. He is not a Constitutionalist and is not by any stretch a classical liberal. As for his temperament there are conflicting reports. Suffice it to say his mettle will be tested.

I have no reason to believe that our Constitution is sacrosanct. It has been profoundly subverted for more than 100 years and is, to my thinking, perilously threatened by the very populism you describe as seminal to the rise of tyrants in the 20th century.

Chinese peasants are little differentiated from the mass populas of our great urban centers. The threat of riot by millions has quenched any serious investigation of the character or qualifications of the O. Parallels are striking.

I mentioned both classical and "modern" liberalism in a single breath in order to differentiate between them, as they are almost polar opposites.

I agree with you about our Constitution being threatened but I would not underestimate the will of those ready to come to its defense should push come to shove. The "masses" may love their unearned benefits but we love our freedom more.

I don't honestly know what the hell we've got in Obama. If he were of the classic dictator type I'd be more worried about his intentions. He's not stupid, which is a plus, but he's clearly in over his head, which is to say that in this day and age, articulation is valued over wisdom. I'm more concerned about the really evil bastards who have ridden his coattails and/or funded his victory.

The bottom line is that I want this country to succeed and to the degree that Obama pisses off his leftist supporters and steers a more careful path, I would be cautiously optimistic. The one hope I have for him (and it's tenuous, I admit) is that he is still young and impressionable enough to change his mind when confronted with challenges whose resolution depends upon a choice between what is right for the nation and what is politically expedient.

If by some miracle, he were to truly decide to be President of all the people, we might be able to get through this period without untold damage. Stranger things have happened. The Presidency changes people, perhaps because of an awesome awareness of responsibility that dawns on its occupants, or alternatively, because they quickly come to realize their limitations as executives and as human beings to affect matters beyond their control.