None of these are weak political narratives. But an even more powerful election-year framing is beginning to intrude — a monster issue with the power to scare into the background all our other policy polarities.

As police clash violently with Occupy protesters in Oakland and Atlanta …

As calls intensify for a military drug war in Mexico …

As the Obama administration doubles down on “rule by waiver” and stonewalls on Fast and Furious …

The race for the White House — and the state-level contests caught up in the maelstrom — could hinge on the old watchword of Americans bent first and foremost on averting national decline.

I’d bet my trick-or-treat bag it’s going to be a law-and-order election.

Don’t be afraid. Be very, very afraid.