I’m not what you’d call a keen observer of the political climate in our country, but I do pay attention, broadly, to what’s going on within our two parties. Watching the latest from Bill Maher, I was reminded of how we struggle to reconcile our support for an idea we might like, if it’s promoted by a politician we hate. And vice versa. Here though, we have an opportunity – Democrats, in particular – to speak out loudly and clearly against an ideology that has been proven, demonstrably, to be a really bad idea.

It’s alarming to see how quickly communism has been embraced by so many, but it’s even more alarming, to see how many have yet to condemn it, in favor of sheltering under a “big tent.” This week, Gavin Newsom dismissed concerns over Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and progressive candidates winning key primaries, stating he would gladly campaign for them. He argued that the party must be in the “addition, not subtraction business” to retake control of Congress.

Not that anyone asked me, but…wow. The candidates that Newsom is referring to here are not subtle. They have clearly articulated precisely what they want, and exactly what they will try to accomplish if they gain power. No borders. No police. No prisons. No Senate. From each according to his needs, from each according to his abilities, and so forth. They are literally quoting Karl Marx, and they are literally on the record as desiring to completely dismantle our government and replace it with actual communism. And the Governor of California says he will campaign on their behalf, if doing so will result in a Congressional win. Truly amazing.

Seems to me, that this is best opportunity Democrats will ever have to make some kind of reasonable appeal to Independents, and those not on board with this administration. This is a chance to affirmatively distance themselves from an ideology that has caused more human suffering than any other scheme dreamt up by man. And yet, they have not.

I understand how unpopular President Trump is in the eyes of many. But if the DSA continues to grow in popularity, and the Democrats actually campaign on their behalf, I think it’ll be the largest political blunder in my lifetime. Unless of course, I’m wrong, and the DSA expands to swallow the Democratic Party, and communism winds up on the ballot. In which case, Ronald Reagan’s warning will haunt us all.

“Freedom is never more than one generation from extinction.” Ronald Reagan

The Real Mike Rowe, X