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Fear is a Hard Habit to Kick
Two years into World War Two the US public lost interest in fighting it and especially in paying for it. The Axis Powers were no longer a perceived threat.
The founding fathers of the military/industrial complex needed a perpetual enemy such as the warring super powers of George Orwell's "1984" classic. The National Security Agency [1947] was a good start quickly adding the CIA. The Communists in the USSR and China proved excellent villains. The Korean War 'proved' a perpetual war footing was necessary. This ensured a stable level of profits for the war industry.
By 1950 it was apparent that the USA had to cease as a Republic. The new Federalism demanded a huge increase in taxes. To get it, Harry Truman had to scare the public with tales of the Red Menace. Since the CIA could not brain wash everybody, it relied on information control from the TV and print media. They promoted the fear of outside Communist forces and then turned on domestic lefties [whether or not they were Communists]. The HUAC produced an endless stream of domestic threats the enemy within.
After 60 years of being ruled by fear, the US population will require many years to kick a number of bad habits [preemptive war and torture for example]. To inspire the population, Obama had to insert Cold War rhetoric into his Inauguration speech. This is the language the public understands and the Progressives fear.
In his campaign Obama distributed his leftist thoughts in bits and drabs. In the few times he was totally candid, he took a beating from his political and media foes. The US public remains too afraid to assume the burdens of self-rule.
