Bumper Stickers, and why most politicians do not like speaking to small groups

My hometown, and the town where I currently work, is Asheville, NC. Due to its natural beauty, its place in American history, and its role as a center of commerce and arts for western North Carolina, Asheville is a special place.

One of the things that makes Asheville unique is the high percentage of its vehicles which sport bumper stickers. I believe that if a scientific study were to be done, Asheville would lead the nation in vehicles sporting multiple bumber stickers. Another unique feature of Asheville motorists is many of them have expanded the term bumper, to include any flat portion of the car that adhesive can stick to, up to and occasionally including glass. There is one pick up truck in Asheville that I believe has 0% of its paint showing. The vehicle is completely covered in bumper stickers.

Most bumper stickers in Asheville and elsewhere contain some form of political or social commentary. Most of these stickers make it clear which end of the political spectrum the vehicle owner agrees with. Messages like "I visited Rock City" seems to have almost all been replaced with messages that tend to cause you to want to reply with one of your fingers: either your thumb, or a different one.

There is one sticker though, that I have only seen once, that I really like. I like it because I believe it. I like it because I think it contains tremendous amounts of truth. And what is even better, BOTH, or should I even say all, sides of the political debate think this saying was invented for their side, to be used against the other side.

Here it is: "Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups". (Now, I realize the term "stupid people" is not politically correct, and its kind of not nice. But we are trying to have a big boy/big girl convesation, so stay with me.)

Does that resonate with you? I think it is brilliant. Simple, and brilliant. If you think Bush was an idiot, this statement probably appeals to you. If you believe Slick Willie succeeded via wit and charm, and checked his brain and judment somewhere in Arkansas, this statement may appeal to you as well. There are literally thousand of applications of the statement in the political realm, regarless of your ideology or political affiliation.

I have never studied psychology, but I do study people. I do not understand why this statement is true, but I believe it is. You put a stupid person in a small group, and if they have a stupid idea, usually that idea is not going to go anywhere. People are more direct in small groups. But you put a stupid person in big group and they shout out a stupid idea, many times the rest of the group is silent. They think if the person has the guts to shout out the idea, in front of all the people, it must be a good idea. They think if I stand up and say its not, and I'm wrong, then I might embarrass myself in front of this big group. Sound familiar? I'll bet you have seen that in action some time. If you are paying attention to the news right now, you might be witnessing it.