With the help of a biased media, the politicians are able to spread this sort of behaviour to an eager and frightened public.

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself" - and that fear comes in many forms, from direct fear of terrorism, to the insecurities we face in our everyday lives, relationships, jobs, etc..

"Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering." - Only when we fight fear at it's most elemental level (in ourselves) can we see a significant change in the attitudes of the masses. Through faith, faith in life, faith in others and faith in beliefs, if you choose, you can find the strength to fight the insecurities in yourself.

Thought creates. This much is true, and there must be something wrong with the thoughts of the Western society, if this sort of future is what we are creating.

Good word Lerkfish. Also look up the term cognitive dissonance.