After reading the article at the URL cited above and posting it and comment to my facebook, I received responses that prompted me to further comment and raise the question, "Why do most Americans see Communists as "the enemy?"
This has long been a problem with American world view. That which may be in opposition to the U.S.its ethos, and its capitalist democracy is "the enemy" That said, it seems that an objective assessment of the man's (Marx) work is beyond us. And those, among us, who acknowledge the work of Marx, Engel, and/or Lenin for its academic excellence are tagged with the labels "red, commie, pinko, lefty" and other derogatory terms that speak more to the ignorance of the name caller than to the person being labeled. No, I am not a communist, socialist nor do I belong to either of their organizations. I do, however, appreciate having learned of Marx's writings and find them useful for comparative purposes. It is also unfortunate that comparison is a little valued subject in the America's educational process which finds us victim to such U.S. propaganda as "exceptionalism." and its positive aspects without consideration of the negative that accompanies the existence of the theory. Sad, indeed. So, I guess that in the minds of those who might read this commentary, I am and will forever remain, "the enemy" but, believe me, I will lose little sleep over the addition of another label to my person.
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