This campaign season's new terror alert.

During 2004's presidential campaign, the "fear factor" word-choice that was used by George W. Bush and his team was, "terrorism." It was only a few years after 9/11/01, and Homeland Security was more visible and in the public's conscience. In fact, in August of 2004, the Homeland Security Advisory System was increased from Level Yellow (what it is currently) to Level Orange (for financial sectors in New York City, Washington DC and Northern New Jersey). Let's face it, fear is a great motivator - and the Republican base seems to be great at using fear as a campaign strategy.

Well, now it is 2008 and 9/11/01 was seven years ago rather than three years ago. There have been no recent videos by Osama bin Ladin, and thankfully, deaths in Iraq are at a somewhat lower rate. So, what kind of fear can be utilized during this election season? Well, it seems that John McCain has found his answer during this last week of campaigning. What is the key word? The survey says.....SOCIALISM!

That's right, add one "Joe the Plumber" and mix it with a statement from Obama in which he refers to wealth redistribution. Top it off with a reference in the Drudge Report to an old Obama radio interview from 2001 (in which he talks about "economic justice"), and you have instant fear (see link below). Not fear of terrorism in this case, but fear of socialism.

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/articles/2008/10/28/mccain_attacks_obama_on_redistribution/

Just compare the 2004 ad by George W. Bush with the 2008 commercial by John McCain (see above). The topics have changed but the method has stayed the same. Does it really matter that the information about Obama raising taxes is incorrect? Not really. Does it matter that in the United States, that the top 1% is now taking 20% of the national income, as compared to 1980, in which the top 1% was taking 8% of the national income? No, that really doesn't matter either. The republicans are determined that fear will override facts. At least they are hoping that this is the case. My hopes are in complete opposite to this, along with millions of other Democrats and some Republicans who are voting for the Obama/Biden ticket. We have faith that the majority of people in the U.S. will resist and not be swayed by a new fear this year - socialism. I guess you could call it a terror Level "Red."