You captured an essence of a mentality I've been trying to put my finger on for a while -- the Republican trait of always claiming to be at the mercy of government or public opinion or whatever. They present a distinct sense of lack of control over one's own life. I've seen it in crystal clarity in both of Ann Coulter's most recent outbursts, the 9/11 widows situation ("They can say what they want, and you can't criticize them") and the John Edwards "faggot" swipe ("If you say 'faggot' they put you in rehab"). In both of those situations, she's using the device of some unseen monstrous force that limits her behavior or speech. Ann, you and every other Republican is allowed to say whatever you want -- be ready to deal with the backlash of public opinion if it's unpopular -- but for goodness' sake, it's your life, you make your own choices, you decide what you want your government to do, not the other way around. It's a concept that resonates with Republicans who seem so susceptible to the authoritarian crap. Hollywood, liberals, elites, college professors, communists, terrorists -- "they" all have dastardly plans and unexplainable powers.