Matthew+W's+OpEd+Article

media type="file" key="mattw-muckraker-2011.mp3" align="center" Give Karl his Due By Matt W Freedom, live and let live, equality. This used to be what I thought this “great” country was about. Way back in the day in first grade, with snot dripping from my nose and tears readily available to fill my eyes at a moment’s notice, the above truths were paramount in my underdeveloped lobes. But one day (I forget which one) an epiphany. America is none of that…at least when it comes to communism. The ignorant masses might say “well communists are all vodka drinking bastards”. To those I say “oh contraire”. Communists are people too. They just prefer a stronger alcoholic beverage to our measly Billy Beer (thanks Bill Carter). In all seriousness I think that it is completely wrong to give communists the reputation that they have garnered over the years. It’s ridiculous to think that in this age of political correctness and social niceties, school boards still release teachers who are open communists. Communism isn’t the issue, its peoples’ perception of it. Communism is often associated with fascist regimes. This misconception needs to be erased from our minds. Pure communism is an ideal, a utopian society in which all of its members live in equal harmony to each other. Fascism is the opposite. Fascism occurs when one man feels the need to express his apparent superiority over an entire country. To quote a bumper sticker in the school parking lot “fascism is capitalism in decay”. Communism on the other hand is much more about the collective than the individual. While it is true that most pseudo communism countries turn out to be warlord dictatorships, it does not bring down the intention of that utopian ideal. So I reach out to countries considering a dictatorship. Please stop calling yourselves communists. It’s a bit of a slander to the name. As for this American policy of communism hatred, I don’t see any warrant for that behavior. For one communism has been a part of the American lifestyle since the New Deal age with FDR. It’s time to except it into our culture. People should be able to openly oppose things they don’t like. Thomas Jefferson himself promoted uprisings by the people to combat a government they feel is wrong. It’s not as if communism is suddenly going to swoop down and carry off America. I’m surprised at the length of our grudges. We hold on to anger like bacteria to spill artificial juice. America, let it go.