Headline is absolutely true. Americans DO fear that.
That’s why they end up voting for either Trump or Bernie, depending on their base political philosophy.
I agree with what you guys said in 2 and 3.
This is not an irrational fear. This has actually been occurring. There was a time not long ago that the American economy was an job producing machine. Small businesses were the engine driving that machine.
Today, the only jobs that are growing are bar and food service jobs. Look around you. In my lifetime I don't think I've ever seen more restaurants and fast food places as there are now. Everywhere you go, either some strip mall food court, or a cluster of fast food joints.
Outside of healthcare and government there is just not an abundance of good jobs, except perhaps in certain regions of the country such as Silicon Valley. Beyond that, the U.S. economy is churning out millions of low-paying, part-time jobs suitable for teenagers living at home.
While I don't agree with them, the $15 an hour minimum wage demonstrators in part have a point. There is nothing else out there. There is little or no career paths anymore. Statistically, small business are now closing/failing faster than new small businesses are being created. That is a novelty.
So yeah, it's more reality than simple fear.
If they understood Socialism the only people who would vote for Bernie would be those whose dream job is civil service drone, guard at a reeducation camp, or the person behind the counter handing out today’s bread, tomorrow’s milk, and next week’s toilet paper to the throngs lined up.
It is the purest expression of Socrates vs Plato, the average 90% are stupid slaves to be taken care of versus average person should be free to act and develop.
Sanders = average person slave, though most want to be the 10% elite
Trump = average person is capable and should be free to act