Communist: a title used to defame and discredit left-wing politicians, and a word that was warped during the Cold War. Strictly speaking, communism aims to form a society without classes or currency, where the state controls private property. Under this definition, there are no truly communist states in the world—only socialist ones.
Socialism is defined as the transitory state between capitalism and communism. More specifically, it is the stage that decommodifies basic living necessities like housing, food and water.
Communism, socialism and other leftist political movements have been historically oppressed in the United States, much to the detriment of the American people. While the top 1% of citizens control 40% of the nation’s wealth, the bottom 50% hold only 3% of the wealth.
The most famous of the socialist states was the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, which controlled land from Siberia to the Elbe River in Germany at its height. The 46-year period from the end of the World War II in 1945 until the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 was dubbed the Cold War.
The Cold War was named such because of the lack of open conflict between the two superpowers, despite numerous incidents and crises. Instead of fighting each other directly, the United States and USSR fought in numerous proxy wars across the globe, accounting for millions of deaths in East Asia, the Islamic world and Africa.
Within the United States, the early Cold War was marked by rampant anti-communist efforts that stalled social programs meant to alleviate economic strain. Relief programs like the Marshall Plan, which restored economic stability in Western Europe, were only passed in order to limit the spread of communism.
Under the leadership of Senator Joseph McCarthy, the American public began to fear “an invasion from within.” Many military, governmental and other public figures were scrutinized and prosecuted for having alleged communist tendencies. However, most of these people were accused without sufficient evidence, often relying on anonymous tips and rumors, leading to the punishment of thousands of gay people for being “anti-American.”
After being censured by the Senate, McCarthy continued his legislative duties, albeit out of the public eye. Because of his efforts, numerous proposed social programs and funds were shot down.
The next major shift occurred in 1981 under President Ronald Reagan and his Economic Recovery Tax Act. Under his policy of “trickle down” economics, Reagan mandated massive tax cuts for the rich, stating that the lost income tax revenue would be replenished from increased upper-class consumption.
Considering the massive debt-to-Gross Domestic Product ratio of 125% that the United States now holds, as well as the abysmal rent-to-minimum wage ratio of 90% and wealth inequality rates mirrored by the French monarchy, it’s safe to assume that “Reaganomics” has benefited no one but the rich.
As a result of the outright ban of communist, socialist and other left-wing political parties within the United States during the Cold War, left-wing movements remain scattered and relatively disorganized compared to right-wing movements. While Neo-Nazis and Christian Nationalists often rally in large numbers, the other side of the political spectrum remains relegated to academic circles.
America has the largest GDP in the world, making it the richest country in the world. However, tens of millions of families live paycheck to paycheck, while billionaires like Elon Musk have doubled their wealth in just the past year, holding in their pockets 700 billion dollars.
The very concept of a left-wing movement has been diluted by the American two-party system, convincing most citizens that the Democrats and Republicans represent the political left and right, respectively. Yet, the supposed left-wing democrats fail to redistribute wealth and represent their voters.
Both parties advertise as the party that supports the middle class, but both parties have done nothing to reimplement progressive taxation on the wealthy. Insider trading and other forms of fraud happen within the very heart of America.
Despite clear domestic backlash against the Zionist government of Israel due to their genocide in Palestine, Israel still enjoys clear bipartisan support in the United States, mostly thanks to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, who pay U.S. politicians millions of dollars. This political support has led to the United States arming and assisting Israel in its genocide of Palestine, even though, as of Oct. 3, 2025, only 35% of US citizens held a positive opinion of Israel.
Despite the hostility of the US government against left-wing movements, it has not stopped a rising leftist force. Thanks to both senior politicians like Bernie Sanders and new faces like Zohran Mamdani, democratic socialism has become increasingly popular, especially among the youngest group of voters.
These politicians find incredible success from the public thanks to their clear moral backbone, whether demonstrated through the recent examples of Mamdani’s small donor-funded campaign or Sanders and his famous speech to an empty Senate against the invasion of Iraq in 2003.
The 2003 invasion of Iraq was conducted by the United States under the pretext of Iraq’s possession of Weapons of Mass Destruction, a casus belli that to this day remains without solid proof. The ensuing invasion and occupation led to the deaths of an estimated 4,400 US military personnel and over half a million Iraqi citizens, sending shockwaves of destabilization across West Asia.
Public support for the invasion quickly dropped from 71% to less than half after no nuclear weapons were found. Bernie Sanders was one of the most outspoken voices against military action since the beginning, exemplifying his character and duty to the American people.
American imperialism itself became increasingly prevalent during the Cold War, when coups were orchestrated against dozens of foreign democratically elected administrations. The Republicans actively perpetrate neoimperialist aims across the globe while Democrats sit on their hands.
Zohran Mamdani centered his New York City mayoral election campaign on increasing funding for public works and programs, as well as increasing the affordability of the city. While his predecessors were often corrupt and ineffective, Zohran implemented free childcare for the whole city within the first month of his administration, without increasing taxes on the vast majority of New Yorkers.
Leftism is clearly not comparable to fascism or nationalism; it is the tool of the American working class, one that, once used, has the capability to alleviate our struggles. The lack of leftism is what has caused the catastrophe of an economy we see today.
