While nearly a decade ago, Americans celebrated the arrival of “hope and change”, since then “hope” (not to mention “change”) has been all but eradicated (if only for the vast majority of the population), and has been replaced with an emotion that is its polar opposite. Fear.
Fear of government corruption (which we were delighted to find in the top spot), fear of terrorist attacks, fear of the NSA, fear of ID theft, fear of cyberterrorists, and even fear of economic collapse… all the way in 8th place.
And yes, “fear of clowns” is in there too.