Does the recent election mean the politics of fear don't work anymore?
960409
Nah.... Just that utter and total Disgust overrides the fear factor.\n\nToo many scandals too much red ink and a Katrina foreign policy\nare too much to put up with.
455917
Fear is a powerful tool which is appropriate because the leader of the republicans (GWBush) is also a powerful tool. The supporters of the idiots in office are angry for good reason. I would be angry also if I was always so focused on avoiding the inevitabe confrontation with reality. By the way squidgirl check out the www.powersquid.net.
1043830
It doesn't have to be. Fear and peace are  less profitable in dollars or power. Be the change. Peace.
1179477
"through the use of fear, societies gave up their rights under the guise of security."  i think this statement sums up best all the uproar over what the bush administration is or isn't doing to 'protect' us as americans. there is a fine line being walked (and not very delicately if you care to notice the details) between "security" and "loss of freedom". and the culture of fear and separation noted in the article is all too apparent today... after all you're either a "patriot" or you "support the enemy". \n\n"those in power are of a smaller segment of society, but they hold the wealth and control" is an accurate description of where america is today. a minute percentage of people possess the lion's share of the wealth: the inequality has always been present but never to this degree. if this is indeed a part of the definition of fascism, you could argue that we are getting closer...\n\n"fascist nations... typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections." let diebold reign! here's to florida, and to ohio, proud supporters of the winning side!\n\n"governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion...." and how often to religious leaders echo the sentiments exactly of the us government? do you watch the 700 club?\n\nwhere did the platform for intelligent discussion of the issues facing the US go? why are people (being manipulated?) becoming so polarized? where has 'the beauty of the gray' disappeared to? isn't it funny how so many things in life are suddenly black and white, like apples and oranges?\n\nif you deceive often enough and use the proper (official?) channels, one of two things will happen. they will come to believe it as gospel ("this is a delicious orange! when did they start growing stems?") or they will use the knowledge they already have to resist ("THERE ARE FOUR LIGHTS!" -jean-luc picard) the lies. \n\nare you really willing to doubt that this is in fact an apple? and will we be reluctant to let go of a moniker we've worn proudly for over two centuries? stay tuned...
698580
No, that was just a Republican political slogan to try to scare the 'security Moms'.  Too bad  for them that demographic didn't exist this time.
979928
you would think is was . but most voters have already made their minds up . and the polls show the demarcates winning by small % it's all up to the voter now .vote the republican out of office
1093733
It's a proven Karl Rove tactic to inspire fear to generate votes for his side.  And I agree with you.  A few "stopped attacks" will be reported between now and November, then right before the election, the level will be raised and we'll all be scared.  And most people won't recognize the pattern.\n\nMmmmm....Cheetos....
447112
FDR (a truly great American President) once said, "the only thing to fear, is fear it self".  Fear (or terror if you like), is an emotion.  You can not go to war against an emotion.  Our government is abusing our fear to generate support for a War that makes the friends of George Bush even more rich.\n\nIf you are afraid of terrorists, you are being manipulated.  The real enemy of the state is the Bush administration.  We are not winning, we are only making more enemies.  People who used to admire us now hate us, because of the so called "war on terror".\n\nFight your fear and think with reason, not with rage.
790549
I'm hoping it will stop now that the elections are over.  Many people went over the line to "OMG, If you don't agree with my you're just an Idiot and should be reported", but I think it was because of the stress of the election.  I hope we can all go back to just disagreeing like normal rational people.   We'll see....\n\nI might miss a little of my, "you neo-con" hate mail though.  It gives me a laugh.
747639
It has given the Democrats one of their favorite campaign tools to use: fear. Sadly for them, it's all they've got.
676566
I don't think so.Terrorism based on religion used to be a lot worse in the past(think of what was happening in Europe in Medeaval times).It's just that we feel more secure now from other things and that's why we think this kind of terrorism is increasing.
29104
No matter what efforts we as individuals may take based upon our hearts and our principles, those efforts are generally nullified when the relative few people who vote vote with their wallets or out of misinformed fear.  Consider the outcome of the 2004 Presidential Election for a clearer understanding of my meaning.\n\nAnd, yes, there is still hope.  I care and so do you.  Isn't that a start?
704762
No. Politics are as necessary as the government they facilitate. \nUnderstand; as an American, I know only american politics intimately enough to answer...\nPolitics are ruined by the liars and creeps trying their hardest to get into office and betray your trust.
1005384
No, they've just been snowed by a government voted in people who believe that xenophobia is the answer to everything, and that that should be exported.  No compassion for fellow person (unless they have money ), and a little too much evangelical religion in places it doesn't belong.  The first fight they need to do is actually listen to what candidates are saying, decide how much is bs and how much is the truth, eliminate anything that is prefaced by 9-11, god, country, truth, and listen to what is prefaced by real people words.  They keep throwing bones to the masses (like the now internal crisis of illegal mexicans - like that's not new - and North Korea - which is a scary thing to get back into).  Good luck on this one.
220517
This is a sad consequence of the 9/11 attacks, the war in Iraq, the media constantly trying to feed people's fears, and the anti-Arab, anti-Muslim propaganda coming from right wing extremists.  Unfortunately, it's also an election year in the US, so the politicians will spend even more time trying to play on and increase people's fears, and then tell the voters they (that politician) is the one to solve the problem.  \n\nThe President has been spending a lot of time trying to reassure everyone that Islam is a religion of peace, that we are only at war with the terrorists and not with Islam.  \n\nUnfortunately there is still a lot of hatred and bigotry in the world.
481163
I think political correctness is what is bringing our country down today. Everyone is so afraid of hurting everyone's feelings, no one can really say what they feel anymore.\n\nWhen I was growing up, there was much more cooperation in the nation. You could actually *gasp!* disagree with someone, and it was okay. You felt one way, and your neighbor felt another way. When the debate was over, you rolled up your sleeves and went to work side-by-side to get the work done.\n\nToday, if you disagree with someone, you are a traitor or ignorant or a moron. Just look at some of the things people are saying about me on this website solely because I am a conservative Republican.\n\nThere is no Constitutional guarantee against being offended. If you don't like what someone is saying, so what? Appreciate the difference of opinion - discourse is what made this country great.\n\nPeople need to grow up and stop wearing their emotions on their sleeve.
941374
Things changed after 9/11 and can you honestly blame people for the fear they have?