In the early 1950’s Joe McCarthy, senator from Wisconsin played on the fears of Americans because of the Cold War. Many people were falsely accused of being communists and as a result had their lives ruined. Today the term McCarthyism is used more generally to describe demagogic, reckless, and unsubstantiated accusations, as well as public attacks on the character or patriotism of opponents. Unfortunately the use of fearmongering (if that is a word) is all too common . As Joe McCarthy found out those tactics win in the short run but the truth will prevail in the long run.
Sandy Morse