Renny,

"some are plain terrified of everyday life..."

There's always a threshold...an abyss if you will and the sagacity of your observation rings true.

So, when does fear become malevolent?

When the man posing from the stage, the professional wrestling arena or the White House balcony waves benevolently to those foolish enough to think he will banish fear when all he does is the converse.

Reminds me of a quote incorrectly attributed to Sinclair Lewis but instead is from James Waterman Wise:

"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.”

Voting is often an irrational counter-intuitive process, even more so when people are afraid.