Why does the government prop up giant corporations, over and over again, when they get into financial trouble? Because, in the classic phrase, these institutions are considered "too big to fail."

Which is also why a Democratic president, if we should be fortunate to have one again beginning in January, will be counseled by pundits, Republicans and even some members of his or her own party to tough it out at some level in Iraq, and not withdraw completely.

Because, you see, our venture in Iraq is "too big to fail."

Notwithstanding that there's an element of truth in such usage, and in both of the above examples, it's also a Catch-22 of modern politics.

Clearly, the Republicans have worked very hard to create institutions -- or situations, or impediments to both -- that are very hard to undo. So that, if and when they ever do fall out of power, their successors will be straitjacketed by the labyrinthian and serpentine complications of inherited policy.

Thus: Run up the deficit to astounding levels. Commit us to stay in Iraq a hundred years, if not forever. Tie our well-being to that of international systems such as NAFTA that we will find it hard to discard. Make us so hated internationally that playing Peace Corps Redux simply won't work, at least anytime soon.

The lesson, for those of us who dislike this scorched-earth strategery of modern conservatism? Get so big we cannot be allowed to fail. And how do individual, average American citizens and American families and small American institutions do that? By joining forces. Not just by voting as a bloc, but by acting as one.

Nothing will change for the better until Americans re-organize themselves into super-groups -- such as, but limited to, labor unions --- that can compete with giant corporations and giant government programs and policies on an even footing.

Otherwise, the average American will continue to be ignored, on the basis that he or she is too small to succeed.