In a right ordering of public affairs,
the mass is that part which does not act of itself.
Such is its mission.
It has come into the world to be directed,
influenced, represented, organized …

It needs to submit its life to a higher court,
formed of the superior minorities.
…but without them,
humanity would cease to preserve its essentials
is something which there can be no possible doubt.

When the mass acts on its own,
it does so only in one way, for it has no other:
it lynches.

It is not altogether by chance that lynch law
comes from America, for America is, in a fashion,
the paradise of the masses.

-excerpt, The Revolt Of The Masses, p. 115 by José Ortega y Gasset pub. 1930

This morning, torn between two opposite contraries…   I finished a brief reply to an email received from a friend who wrote that he distrusts all government.  From the tone and the frequency of his complaints, he is repelled by the particular government that we have.  My reply was terse, — a request that he submit whatever he envisions as improvement to the liberal democratic form of government which we have.

On the other hand,…in the early evening yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting Bill Tarver, a Democrat candidate for the Kane County Board, 10th district.  Our capacity to organize our affairs, those dimensions of life which we all have in common, (the paved roads, public education, public health, safety, etc.) begins locally, in my town.  By common agreement I choose those who represent me, on the Country board, or the village trustees, or who serves as mayor.  When due to a minor traffic accident it is necessary to interact with law enforcement, I am treated with courtesy and professionalism, because those officers indirectly are hired by the representatives whom I have chosen.

What is the alternative?

Rule by the mob, a lynch mob.

Want to know what that would be like?  You do not need your imagination…

The Capitol insurrection of January 6th 2021.