Populists believed the people should dictate their needs to any individual who rose above the herd, and bring them low again—except of course for the… - Greg Bear

Whom could I blame?
Ultimately, one man who had started a strangely secular church, attracting people good and bad, faithful and cynical, starting an organization too large and too well-financed and organized to simply fade: promulgating a series of lies become sacred truths. How often had that happened in human history, and how many had suffered and died?

The Republic, despite the best efforts of the surviving government, was quickly being replaced by something worse than anarchy—passionate mob rule, directed by untutored but skilled opportunists.

When evenly matched, you cannot win against your enemy unless you understand them. And if you truly understand, why are you fighting and not talking?