A friend was recently startled to find a Soviet-style hammer and sickle prominently displayed at a farmers market just a block from a monument to those who sacrificed their lives fighting totalitarianism.It's particularly jarring for immigrants from former communist countries to see these hateful symbols cheerfully displayed alongside fresh greens, organic honey and homemade pies.When my friend engaged the affable twentysomething about her advocacy for communism in America, the conversation quickly became absurd.
"Don't you know about the Gulag, the torture chambers, the Tiananmen Square massacre, the murder of 100 million men, women and children?" to which she replied, "I'm not sure what you're talking aboutâ¦"The young woman then parried, "All I know is that America has a shameful past and we should try to atone for the crimes of capitalism."LIBERAL HOT SPOT RESIDENTS CANâT AGREE ON WHAT SOCIALISM MEANS AS FAR-LEFT MOVEMENTS GAINS STEAM"What âcrimes of capitalism?â"Protesters affiliated with the Revolutionary Communists of America hold a banner during a May Day march in Minneapolis, Minn.(Derek Shook/Fox News Digital)"Iâm not sure about the specifics â¦" She then went on to deliver a short address on how communism will deliver a high standard of living by redistributing the obscene wealth of the rich.LIBERAL-CITY RESIDENT HESITATES WHEN PRESSED ON BELIEFS: 'I HADN'T REALLY THOUGHT ABOUT SOCIALISM THAT WAY'When pressed about the historical record, either of communismâs brutality or specifics about so-called American imperialism, the young womanâs friendly smile never faltered.
She really couldn't name any of the crimes of capitalism.Calling for the overthrow of the system that allows for a peaceful Saturday at a farmer's market made the entire conversation seem absurd.JONATHAN TURLEY: SOCIALISM IS BACK IN STYLE AND DEMOCRATS ARE BUYING THE PITCHConversations like this one, between average Americans and self-styled communists ...