I ran across this statement while perusing the Federalist Papers.
...The influence of factious leaders may kindle a flame within their particular States, but will be unable to spread a general conflagration through the other States. A religious sect may degenerate into a political faction in a part of the Confederacy; but the variety of sects dispersed over the entire face of it must secure the national councils against any danger from that source. A rage for paper money, for an abolition of debts, for an equal division of property, or for any other improper or wicked project, will be less apt to pervade the whole body of the Union than a particular member of it; in the same proportion as such a malady is more likely to taint a particular county or district, than an entire State.
Kinda reminds me of U.S.A. 2008. I am truly thankful that I was born in such a great nation. I am truly proud to be a citizen of the greatest nation on earth. But I am truly saddened by what our country has become. Dear Publius: how could you have forseen the great enabling of the forces of evil brought on by the various modern technologies which have at the same time so enhanced our quality of life? To your credit, I say this: You knew what a man is made of, and you did and said what you could to warn us of our self-destructive tendencies. It is we who have failed in diligence. Popular rule just seems to have certain inevitable flaws.