From where does our commitment to freedom come? Are we living it? Do we fully grasp what is happening around us? Is communism creeping forward? Are we stepping up? If not us, who?
Forty-two years ago, an Aeroflot plane put me down in Moscow, paint peeling, airport corridors lined with drunk Red Army soldiers, all with AK-47s. A pie-eyed Oxford student, raised in rural Maine by the Greatest Generation, the grayness, laziness, depression, and fear in people – was hard to digest.
Communism had sucked the life, the once-Christian souls, out of this society. Over the next two years, I spent time in Soviet-dominated Poland, Catholic and not to be silenced, even under Marshall Law. Their fight was heartening, and in time their courage was rewarded.
While faith kept them going, life was hard. The spontaneity you expect of kids was gone. In its place was fear, even among adults. No one made eye contact. Conversations were not had in public.
For a rural Maine kid in his mid-20s, this stuff was strange and sobering. Young Americans have no idea what communism is. Billed as utopian, social justice, equity-based, class-focused, it is at first wildly alluring – then utterly devastating, all individual rights crushed, often violently.
If you indulge me, I will take you there. Then – and now – ten characteristics define communist-leaning societies, regardless of what laws say. You will find these every time, which makes you think.
First, the elites in government run the show. They ratchet up coercion, intimidation, insist on conformity, suppress independent thought, scorn critical thinking, and promote sameness.
They change the language, invert words, confuse public understanding of old ideas, and adopt freedom-sounding or progressive-sounding words and phrases to push coercive acts. They turn on those who will not conform, target them for humiliation, job loss, social, legal, and political penalties.
The goal, at first subtle, then accelerating with cancellation, social, legal, and political penalties, is to suppress all independent thought, with political violence is necessary, create fear of the state.
Second, they push centralized decision-making, one-party control, and no room for non-conformists. They ramp up “group-think,” target those of faith – especially Christians and Jews. They push atheism, penalize churches, church education, and those of faith.
Third, they make private ownership of property hard, eventually coopting the “means of production,” putting as much as possible under public control. This starts with new burdens, new penalties, taxes, regulations, eventually the taking of land, ending of private businesses.
Fourth, they target the children, create fear of the state, unthinking devotion to it, encourage informing on parents, and put loyalty to the state over family. By separating children from parents, the communist wolf carves children away from the family.
In the Soviet Union, the Communists created child groups to reinforce ideology: the Little Octobrists for children 7 to 9, Young Pioneers for those 9 to 14, and Komsomol for those under 28.
By going after the children, they sowed seeds for communism’s later harvest, generations indoctrinated to put Communism above family, faith, and freedom. That was the plan.
Fifth, they criminalized political opposition, created false charges, fed non-conformers to “kangaroo courts” (leftist judiciary), penalized – or silenced – them. Assertions of individual rights, parental rights, or any non-conforming views were reliably punished, often severely.
Sixth, government institutions were corrupted, with elites profiting from corrupt acts, no accountability until corruption was “normalized,” something everyone (in government) did.
Seventh, the electoral system was corrupted, elites saying elections were fair, all corrupt in fact, outcomes predetermined, populations increasingly demoralized, participating in name only.
Eighth, free markets in energy and “means of production,” distribution, and consumption were state-controlled, favoring elites with corrupt benefits, impoverishing everyone else.
Ninth, as freedoms were suppressed, fear and depression grew, producing escapism through alcohol, drugs, and common crime, creating a useful distraction, an excuse for more oppression.
Finally, all in our Bill of Rights disappeared: free speech, free exercise of religion, freedom to assemble, seek redress, keep and bear arms, be safe in one’s home, expect due process or equal protection, a fair trial, or any other rights. All were suppressed until they essentially disappeared.
That – as I observed so shockingly – was why these families, parents and kids, walked in fear. That is why the airport guards were drunk. That is why planes were not maintained. That is why – until seven decades had passed and Reagan encouraged them to overthrow communism, it prevailed.
Far from wonderment, utopia, or any of the nonsensical promises of Marxism, even dressed as socialism, communist ideology brings only pain and suffering. It has killed 100 million people.
So, my question – in this urgent moment for America, closer to home in Maine, is this: Do any of these characteristics of communism look familiar? Is this ideology creeping on us? You tell me.
As poet Robert Burns wrote, “The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray.” So, look around. Do you see signs? If so, are we stepping up? If not us, who? If not now, when?
Robert Charles is a former Assistant Secretary of State under Colin Powell, former Reagan and Bush 41 White House staffer, Maine attorney, ten-year naval intelligence officer (USNR), and 25-year businessman. He wrote “Narcotics and Terrorism” (2003), “Eagles and Evergreens” (North Country Press, 2018), and “Cherish America: Stories of Courage, Character, and Kindness” (Tower Publishing, 2024). He is the National Spokesman for AMAC. Today, he is running to be Maine’s next Governor (please visit BobbyforMaine.com to learn more)!
I think this article defines the Democrat party beliefs. You can take every point in this article and point to many examples of how the Democrats are implementing them
Do not believe that Trump wants Communism. However, the fools in America are voting for Socialists/Left is aggressive. Young generation was NOT educated against these ideologies. Keep praying to save all of us from Communism..
Don’t forget about the rise of radical Islamic sharia law.
Progressive Leftist Democrats are communist. ANY vote for Democrats is a step closer to communism.
All the more important to vote responsibly in the mid terms.if we lose both the house and Senate to the Democrats, Trump will be impeached, we’ll lose everything that was gained. Communist ideology will reign.
Yes communism is here in America already. It started with defunding police, violent riots with burning and looting businesses. When they started calling others fascist when they were the ones demanding everyone agree with them. It started long before now. stated separation of Church and state which is not in the constitution like they claim. It is only going to get worst with the generation thinking that socialism and communism is different it is not. I am glad I am old and probably don’t have a lot of time left. It breaks my heart to see what is going on in this beautiful country. I pray everyday that people open their eyes and hearts.
All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. I was VERY worried before Trump won, and sad to say I am even MORE worried now. Our country is going down and much faster than I thought. I’ve always been an optimist and I am losing my optimism each time another election happens and people are stupid enough/ignorant enough to vote for a candidate that flat out lies. What is wrong with people?
Have you ever heard of: The New Deal, The Great Society, Obama Care? All of it is Socialism, Communism. FDR, LBJ, BHO, and John McCain
As the greatest generation disappears, so does democracy!!!
Well RBC, based on what I have read and observed, there is not much difference between communism and socialism. Under communism, religion belongs to the “state” and there is only one approved for the masses while all religions are allowed under socialism until it turns to communism with a few teaks of the law. Either way, the nation is in a battle between constitutional democracy and socialism/communism.
Mr. Charles thanks for this article. What you have written seems to be taking great shape here already. I am from the old school. I want less government in control of me and my decisions. Less is always better. Young and dumb is a correct saying. You don’t realize what you have until you get into your 40’s and then you realize you need to work hard to keep the freedoms our forefathers gave to us to preserve them.
We have 2 political parties. Conservatives Right and communists left! Because the communist left party HATES AMERICA AND AMERICANS.
We must get out and vote in the midterms never put an X next to a democrats name on the ballot
As unbelievable as it seems for an old feller like me (70) who lived in an America which was focused on the vision of our Founding Fathers and the fathers of liberalism (back before the left stole the moniker and raped it). Marx is an absolute mystery. His ideology has failed wherever it’s been tried, yet our “universities” (indoctrination centers) openly promote his ideology (PhD speaking, I’ve seen it close up). The left has always been dangerous, but now NYC has elected a communist Muslim as Mayor. Communism is here and working with what should be it’s ultimate enemy, Islam, Is moving forward. Minesota has fallen and Texas is under attack.
The current Dem. party is firmly Socialist. The term ” Liberals”is a misnomer, it no longer describes that party’s political ideology. The march to the left they have been on will continue untill it reaches the intended goal. Communism. It may look like Soviet style, or like the Chinese version, or something new. But it will be Communism. I hope the voters of our country wake up before it’s too late.
Communism is a religion , very core of the life. I think it is the ultimate goal, the step be fore that is socialism. Those spreading it are fanatical about it, tolerate no dissent and do not hesitate to put a heretic to the stake. You warship at the altar that they’ve erected. The top layer is exempt from the rules they impose and life is more than good, middle layer keeps it’s head low, ear to the ground and survives OK. It’s the poor sod at the bottom who carries the burden and dreams of escape, where to, if this country is in the same boat . The mass madness which is destroying everything this country stood for and had to offer is impossible to comprehend . Like beached whales destroying themselves, no one knows why. Those who can hardly wait to start the march on shining path will soon discover that it is a trail of tears .
This is a very important article regarding communism in disguise named Socialism. It explains how communism unchecked will eventually take over under our noses. Communism/ Socialism paint a very utopian view of it’s benefits.
The article explains how insidiously takes over. It will take time. The Democrats no the Democrat Socialist have gone so far left in Support of these losing ideas.
The younger generation have been indoctrinated throughout their schooling (K-12) just like Russia. It failed in Russia and many other countries. It has been a miserable failure. Especially. , our colleges and Universities. They’re controlled by Leftists. They will not teach the history of communism. They will not entertain the conservative opposing view. If a conservative club ( if there is one) invites a conservative speaker, it will not be approved. If it is they will hold a noisy protest to scare away students. They will send in hecklers who will make it impossible to speak. What happened to academic integrity which would teach opposing views. An institution of higher learning sharing both sides of any issue not just the leftists/Socialusm/Communistiic view.
The professors are fully supporting this one sided view. They are indoctrinating the new generation. They have perpetuating by hiring only people with the same view. That’s why most of the professors are Leftists. It is impossible for a conservative to become a professor.
What a one sided view. It is no surprise that college graduates support Socialism.
According to polls a majority support socialism.
This is a must read for all.
You have described Montgomery County, MD officials perfectly, many of whom have been proud Democrat Socialist members for decades. The county has had one party rule for 20 years with officials totally beholden to the teachers union who govern by virtue signaling and rewarding DEI protected classes and nonprofit groups that rely on government grants. Officials wonder why the taxbase is shrinking as residents and profit making companies move away. Republicans with expertise and access to campaign donations fail to step up to challenge them.
This is a very important document that explains Communism masked as socialism. Tell people you know to read this article.
Very Important!!!!!!!!!!!!’!!
Martial law
Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same. Ronald Reagan The 1950s and 1960s baby boomers generation will be famed for the worst generation of Americans. The sixties and hippies and liberals were allowed to destroy America.
Liberalism, Communism, Socialism and Islam have already taken over deep in America, and one only has to look at the states of California, New York, New Jersey, Michigan and a number of other states, cities and other regions to see it. The democrats are selling our farmland to China and one of our largest Prok Producing Processing company’s and own more of our country than they should, Radical Islamic Muslims control the Great Lakes region as well as many regions in many states throughout the country. I even read an article that said Islam has more cemeteries in the state of Texas than Christian cemeteries. With the court dropping the DOJ charges against Comey and James even with all the evidence presented and the fact that even with all the evidence against Schiff, Biden, Pelosi, Clinton and all the liberal far left democrats for corruption, treason and many other criminal acts against our Constitution and our country, there still are no charges or arrests and there never will be because America is consumed by Liberalism, Communism, Socialism and Islam at the most important levels of our systems and I now believe that Trump is killing himself for nothing because nothing will be done. We are already there.
Well, sir, I think that is why DJT won by such a huge majority.
When elections come up in todays USA there is only ONE thing to keep foremost in mind, either vote FOR Communism or AGAINST it. If Donald Trump was running as a Democrat, it would take considerable thinking to decide whether to vote for him or not. Party platforms these days are a very, very important part of “who” the candidate is and what he/she stands for, no matter what they say or promise.
You’ve want to find Socialism? You could look at our public school system. A perfect example…
Socialism is Communism. The old Communist USSR was the United Soviet SOCIALIST Republic. They deceived, and defrauded their every day citizens to the point that they made up reasons to rat out friends and family just to survive. We aren’t at that point, yet. I don’t think it is too late to turn things around. Voting, and supporting Trumps best initiatives could help. However, I will be amazed if we ever get back to the freedom in which many of us grew up.
Communism and socialism are responsible for the deaths of more people on this planet than any diseases known to man (including cancer) combined. Why would any sane person want any part of this?
There are hundreds of other countries around the globe, and it is the job of the people of each country to protect the peoples law, in order to preserve the culture of what their forefathers worked and died to preserve.
Every country has it’s beauty, and it isn’t fair to keep wanting to change our United States of America. How did any of this get started? The whole world is probably concerned to see what is happening to a once was hometown pride nation being broken apart, into mass confusion and made look like it is a free for all.
Trump has been standing out in rallies telling thousands how this is so far from our American Pride Nation.
Americans spend their retirement visiting and observing the cultures of other countries and while our country gets invaded with more confusion.
Does anybody know what you would call it?
Communism is here. Since when the government was in charge of healthcare? Since when a judge stopped the president for doing his job? We have to ask the government permission to do something. That is a form of Communism.
I think in terms of thiS criteria Bobby Charles needs to look in the mirror at the GOP. Go down the list in terms of rampant government corruption, economic cronyism, intolerance of viewpoints, weaponizing the instruments of government, trampling on individual rights and freedoms, and so on – what the Trump regime
ia doing goes so far beyond any abuse that has come before.
Alas, Bobby has a blind spot when such abuse of power and the Constitution comes from the Right. As someone who is not a Conservative, my observation is that ironically his blindness to such abuse from the Right undermines the Conservative movement of which he professes to be a champion.
Liberals sure love preaching free everything,but,nothing is free,someone has to pay to support these”freeloaders”and it’s almost always the people that still have to work for a living.These people that want socialism need to be careful what they wish for.Socialism is a very small click away from communism and no PatrioticAMERICAN would not want to live under the thumb of a dictator,although we do have quit a few of them in our country,california,illinois,oregon and many more controlled by democrats.Notice the lack of capitol letters for the states and democrats,they don’t deserve the honor.
Is Communism here? Let’s see, we have people that voted in Mamdani, we have politicians that promote Communism and declare it, we support Communist China with our purchases, and Communism is no longer a repulsive term in our society. Enough said. God, please help us. We have too much to lose.
This describes democrats. Capitalism is subject to being perverted; everything is. But it beats any alternative that’s ever been tried.
It’s Martial Law, not Marshall Law. Please proofread your AI generated BS. I quit reading the article as soon as I saw it was created via AI. Pathetic.