Why does it remind one so much of the "war against terror"?

Governments need demons. We no longer have the dreaded Red Meance of communism to throw a scare into the population, so now it's 'The Terrorists'.

Keep the populace afraid or occupy them with emotional issues like going to Mars and the moon (again) when so many people in the US can't afford decent healthcare.

Tricks. That's all they are, yet too many peopel will always turn a blind eye.