Fear This!

The Republican theme of "Fear the terrorists, the activists, the hippies, the freaks, the illegals, and pretty much everyone who isn't white, male and rich" has lost some of its power over Republican voters, as shown by the latest polls.
Conservatives are becoming as fed up as the rest of us with the ever-increasing deficit, the overspending, the failure to provide for our troops, the lies and half-truths – not to mention the fraud, the corruption, and the mismanagement in nearly every Republican-held office and agency.

So, what's a Republican strategist to do? Get the people to fear something else, right?

Here's the latest: "Fear the Democrats! Not only will they raise taxes, but they'll investigate possible wrong-doing by the administration, they'll demand accountability of private contractors, they'll try to address the problems of the people!"

Feast your eyes on the article written by Tom Curry of MSNBC:

If Democrats win the 15 seats they need to get control of the House and the five seats they need to regain the Senate, how will that change the nation’s direction?

For some Democratic activists outside Washington, the overriding need, once their party regains the majority in Congress, is for them to shift the balance of power away from a president they see as dangerously powerful.

[snip]

With Democrats at the helm of congressional committees, the party can pursue a strategy of investigation and subpoena — forcing Bush administration officials to testify and to turn over documents relating to, for example, the National Security Agency surveillance program.

Another Democratic target is the Medicare prescription drug program, which bars the government from forcing pharmaceutical companies to give price discounts. Much of the agenda will be driven by the personalities and perogatives of the lawmakers who will chair key congressional committees.

[snip]

If Bush administration officials did not comply with the Democratic subpoenas, they could face contempt of Congress charges and possible imprisonment. [emphasis mine]