I agree that the red scare tactic is continually replayed. But to be fair, both Dems and Reps cynically use that sort of over-the-top fear mongering to drive voting behavior. Neither side has a corner on that market.
You seem to realize this which is good. Unfortunately, it seems that most people nowadays have little awareness of just how much they're being manipulated by their chosen media sources, by their chosen politicians, by their chosen political parties, and by their supported special interest groups, all of whom wield ideology like a whip to herd the masses on both sides. The irony being that many people on both sides see it happening with the other side but, inexplicably and against all evidence to the contrary, firmly believe it doesn't take place on their side.
I guess it's a testament to the power of modern marketing that so many people can be so easily and broadly misled by those they trust, for no defensible reason, the most. Every time I see someone broadly demonize a political party or ideology, I see a sheep who's totally unaware of the degree to which they've being led around.
Cons and Libs aren't destroying the nation. Selective skepticism and ideological worship is.