Taking Back the Night

[Mme. Defarge]

The flaw of using opinion surveys, focus groups, and demographics as marketing tools is that in certain cases what people think/say they want is is not really what they want. Sometimes it takes someone with an idea or vision of how to fulfill some heretofore unidentified want or need. For example, it can happen when someone has the insight and the courage to break a taboo and tell the truth about something that has been a big "open secret." In this case people respond with an emotional authenticity that is very powerful and will not be denied.

This is what Obama has done with his message of unity. This is what we truly want and need, this is what we are DESPERATE for, this is what is resonating with Democrats, Independents and Republicans. We simply can no longer tolerate the unbearable yoke of the artificial and manipulative divisions that both political parties have, in the past, crammed down our throats. The red state/blue state status quo that has been so carefully preserved in order to protect the interests of our corporate masters is taking us down. We all feel it. We all know it. At this point, any form of marketing, or sales, or packaging designed to perpetuate the status quo is simply lipstick on a pig.

AND PEOPLE GET IT. This morning I realized that, for me, a symbol of this is the Hillary fashion show. Even though I have never been a Hillary supporter, for a long time I was mesmerized by her clothes, hair and make-up. She looks great, and is an inspiring example of energy and chic for women in our age group. It has finally occurred to me that I have reached my saturation point with that; somehow having to continually process what she is wearing on a given day simply requires too much psychic energy. (I admit it's petty. It also doesn't take much for me to go on visual overload.)

What ultimately impresses me about Obama is the way that he seems to be walking the talk. He has run a brilliant bottom-up, 50-state campaign, he has taken the high road and stayed on message, and has revolutionized campaign financing -- providing ordinary citizens with the means to take back the night.