Since the collapse of Lehman Brothers in September, the psychological impact of this crisis has been to produce a rapidly spreading fear. Capitalism relies on confidence for continued spending. When both of these dry up, there is a natural desire on the part of consumers, taxpayers, citizens to hear from a figure — such as Brown — who claims to know his stuff and have a concept of what might happen next. If he says that he knows how to limit the coming pain, all the more reassuring. But that does not necessarily make it true.