“Even though the U.S. has revoked freedoms during wartime (and for some groups in peacetime), for most of its history the people have not been under the yoke of an all-powerful sovereign. However, since 9/11 leaders of both political parties in the United States have sought to consolidate power by leaning not just on the danger of a terrorist attack, but on the fact that the possible perpetrators are frightening individuals who are not like us. Last year President Obama brought the enemy closer to home, arguing that ‘we face a real threat from radicalized individuals here in the U.S.‘ — radicalized individuals who were ‘deranged or alienated individuals — often U.S. citizens or legal residents.'”
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/01/19/fifty-states-of-fear/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0