I just got the latest Obama campaign email, which solicits contributions--now, needed before the deadline!--in exchange for a "Special Edition" car magnet. It's one of the things I love about this country, the way we blend the ritual surrounding high status positions with the marketing gimmicks of televangelists, infomercials and mail-order spam.

Urgency, participation, exchange, a magic souvenir--they're all here. And that's not a disguised criticism--I really do think it's wonderful!