So the US generally does not take care of it's poor very well. In that same vein they take the resources that could fix those problems and waste it on an invisible boogie man. Then they tell the mainstream press their talking points and to market the hell out fo that boggie man.

If people feel they are neglected and without a voice some will crave attention. Those in Al Queda probably get all the attention they could ever want. Of course, the US government would not want the US populous to realize that large portions of Al Queda are probably created out of a self fulfilling prophecy, because that might undermine the defense budget.