I lived in the US between 1996 - 1997. And I've never seen news-coverage like the US version before or after that period. It all built on scaring everyone constantly. And then I watch the different elections, not just this one... It still plays on fear. Fear, fear, fear, fear... Obama a bit less so, but it was there during his campaign as well.

So from an outside perspective, US-people are always afraid and being told to be afraid. Again, no offense. :-)