Last night, on the country’s 250th birthday, the President of the United States looked into the camera and told you that half of your neighbors, your coworkers, and maybe the people in your own family are communists.
I will say, everything here is true except one: I not only have met 2 actual communists, they were members of my family. Seriously. Two of my grand-uncles: Vincent and Richard Brand. Yes, true communists. I will clarify: BROTHER Vincent Brand, a Benedictine Monk. Once he took his vows he owned nothing. The Church provided everything he needed: food, clothing, a roof over his head. They told him where to go and what he was to do once he arrived. As a young man he was sent to Manitoba to teach. On crossing the border he had to fill out paperwork. On it he was asked what race he was. His response? Human race. He died as he lived: owning nothing but a rosary my mother gave him for the celebration of 50 years in the Church. Richard, ah yes, my beloved Uncle Dick. Oh, make that FATHER Richard Brand SM, a Marianist. He joined the Church at 17. Relinquished all worldly goods. Spend his life as his older brother, Vincent did. Taught school in the US until the mid-late 1930s when he was reassigned to a small monastery in the Alps of Switzerland. Why? He was a teacher, not a farmer and cheesemaker. Ah, but German was his first language (he grew up in a home where his grandmothers, both German-born, lived after being widowed. Neither spoke English well so German was the language of the house) so he was perfectly placed for his mission: not milking cows (and cleaning up after them altho it made for some great stories). Oh no, his real job was to assist Jews escaping prosecution. He remained in that job for 10 years (two cycles of their job assignments). He briefly returned to the US with nothing but the clothes on his back and a change in his suitcase: all owned by the Church. All he owned was his Bible; a gift from 5 of his 6 siblings (the 6th being Vincent who had no money to contribute).
Father Richard, just like Pope Leo, then spent the next 25+ years of his life serving, teaching and providing priestly services to the residents of a small village in Peru. During the summer he traveled the Amazon, providing his services to many small villages.
When SHining Path started executing priests and nuns, he was ordered to leave. He did so, reluctantly. But, he had no choice. What the Holy See ordered, he did. Packed his little suitcase with his one change of clothing and his Bible. Left on the excuse that he had an appointment in Houston with his doctor (he had terrible thrombophlebitis and ended up losing a leg a few years later). Father Richard was sent to teach at St. Mary's High School in St. Louis....ironically to join Brother VIncent. Richard continued teaching even after he lost his leg but for a short time, sadly.
In 1988 he was ordered by the Church to retire to their home in San Antonio TX where, still owning nothing but his Bible and a rosary my mother gave him to celebrate 70 years in the priesthood, he lived until his death in 1989. I swear it was of a broken heart. He couldn't bear not teaching and helping others,
THAT is true communism. Yet he lived a life of kindness, service to anyone in need, and a love of all mankind. Not a penny to his name. Not even the clothing on his back was his.
Thanks a million for important context and perspective that named this regime for what it is: a focused attack on the values, institutions, and processes of American democracy. Working together over the coming 4 months we can and must generate an overwhelming repudiation of this discredited playbook that deceives millions — until it doesn’t. The challenge is real. Our time is now’
Democratic Socialists have a serious branding problem that is playing into Trump's hands and could potentially have devastating impact on the midterms. It's the word "Socialist." They have much needed ideas that are popular with voters, but everything could be tanked by just that one word, "Socialist." Historically the US has never really distinguished between "communism" and "socialism." That's the problem, and Trump is already equating the two. We don't have time now to educate the population of this country about the differences. If liberal/progressive Democrats want to give themselves a name to be distinct from other Democrats and give themselves a group identity so they can print T shirts, there are plenty of other terms they could use that do not play into the hands of the MAGA movement. I can only hope and pray this country is not tanked by branding that was not properly thought out.
Whether or not you agree with communism, giving misinformation about what it is only adds to the fear you are fighting against.
Please don't assume all communism is authoritarian and corrupt, simply because the examples from history turned out to be (primarily because the US got involved in ensuring corruption, so they could point and say 'that is bad'). For example a libertarian communist is someone who believes that everything should be owned by everyone, everything shared equal (ie unions and co-ops).
As another Australian onlooker the America I knew (and lived in for one year as a five year old kindy kid when my dad worked at Southern Illinois University) is now a society so ravaged by intractable division and wilful ignorance on the part of so many (approximately one third of the voting population....!) that I wonder if it can ever be restored.
You may wonder why an Aussie living in Sydney should care that much but it is Trump's utter contempt for the very office he holds which in turn makes him contemptuous of virtually every rock solid alliance and social and political norm that it is impossible to even predict the awfulness of what may eventuate on the world stage that may affect us all.
Does he "green light" his good mate Putin to use a tactical nuclear weapon in Ukraine two weeks out from the midterm elections as the ultimate tactic to avoid what (hopefully) is the inevitable outcome of sensible Americans saying they've had enough? Does he keep the Iran conflict simmering on the back burner so that he can re-ignite it at any moment he needs yet another smokescreen for his endless and heinous transgressions? Or, will it be Cuba, Greenland or another insane foray into upending world harmony for his own profit, shelter from political abandonment and aggrandisement?
I'm pleased to share with you that the survey after survey (look up the Lowy Institue Poll released June 22) show that a vast majority of Australians detest Trump and see him for the incompetent, corrupt and toxic fool that he is. So, I can say with certainty that on the day he is finally vanquished millions of us down here will breathe a mighty sigh of relief.
You forgot to mention that he's pretty much extorted Intel, US Steel, and MP Materials to give the government a share of their companies (and done something similar with a slice of Nvidia's sales). Can you imagine the hubbub - and the accusations of Communism - that would result if a democrat tried to nationalize industry like that.
Actually, its worse than that. The government has only invested in a business in the past if it needed to be saved from collapse, such as two automotive industries in 2009. What Trump is doing is creating the government as an interested party to the success of these companies. That could be considered anti-competitive for any companies that compete against them.
Thank you for this important look at just how horrific his July 4 speech was. Yes, he knows we are not communists and do not want to be communists. However, he came upon a word he hopes will give him leverage to destroy his enemies — his enemies being decent Americans. Even if he doesn’t know what communism is, he knows a useful word when he hears it, and the fright factor that’s historically associated with communism is what he’s counting on to step up his ability to bully and threaten.
Several commentators have noted that many younger voters who have no memory of the Iron Curtain and the Cold War won’t be as intimidated by the word “communist.” However, communist rule has was a dark part of 20th century history, especially when Stalin was in power. We must remember that —but we must also remember the anti-communist hysteria here at home for which Senator McCarthy fanned the flames. His war on communism ruined many American lives. And his lawyer taught someone who paid attention in class — Donald Trump. He is taking all he learned and using it do evil’s bidding.
I never imagined that we would have a president who hated the very people he leads, who takes pleasure in destroying anything that is decent, and who has an entire administration full of sycophants who are afraid to do anything but offer eager help.
I want a decent country —one that recognizes its flaws and never stops striving to be better. We won’t have that with this regime.
On the very same day that trump is calling half of the people in the US communists, a large group of 400 men wearing masks and carrying US flags and Confederate rags, who call themselves the Patriot Front. The fact is that trump and these racists used incorrect terms. The 50+% of Americans trump condemns are not communists, and the Patriot Front members are not patriots.
It does not surprise me that trump did not condemn the white-nationalist march, as it is most probable that several members of the group were among the terrorists that attacked the Capitol on January 6; thus, the reason for the masks.
Absolutely. The simple-minded president only cares about who obeys him and who opposes him, or his supporters. That is why on September 22, 2025, he declared Antifa as a terrorist organization (even though there is no formal organization); and on September 25 they issued a memorandum on “Countering Domestic Terrorism and Organized Political Violence.” That allowed non-profits organizations, like the SPLC to be investigated. They are especially a target because they call out right-wing political and religious groups.
No communism. No socialism in the US. And never will be. We are longing for a social market capitalism and the guardrails of law make the capitalist marketplace work for all Americans!
Trump & Co has found the "enemy from within" & it is us. Untethered from reality Trump claims targets phantom “terrorists" & communists again. Get up, stand up & resist the fraudster authoritarians.
GREAT POST MITCH!!!! No candidate who has ever belonged to the Communist party has ever been elected to state or federal office.
No major political figure in the Democratic party us identifying as Communist.
This is more trumpian BULLSHIT to feed his magats
I will say, everything here is true except one: I not only have met 2 actual communists, they were members of my family. Seriously. Two of my grand-uncles: Vincent and Richard Brand. Yes, true communists. I will clarify: BROTHER Vincent Brand, a Benedictine Monk. Once he took his vows he owned nothing. The Church provided everything he needed: food, clothing, a roof over his head. They told him where to go and what he was to do once he arrived. As a young man he was sent to Manitoba to teach. On crossing the border he had to fill out paperwork. On it he was asked what race he was. His response? Human race. He died as he lived: owning nothing but a rosary my mother gave him for the celebration of 50 years in the Church. Richard, ah yes, my beloved Uncle Dick. Oh, make that FATHER Richard Brand SM, a Marianist. He joined the Church at 17. Relinquished all worldly goods. Spend his life as his older brother, Vincent did. Taught school in the US until the mid-late 1930s when he was reassigned to a small monastery in the Alps of Switzerland. Why? He was a teacher, not a farmer and cheesemaker. Ah, but German was his first language (he grew up in a home where his grandmothers, both German-born, lived after being widowed. Neither spoke English well so German was the language of the house) so he was perfectly placed for his mission: not milking cows (and cleaning up after them altho it made for some great stories). Oh no, his real job was to assist Jews escaping prosecution. He remained in that job for 10 years (two cycles of their job assignments). He briefly returned to the US with nothing but the clothes on his back and a change in his suitcase: all owned by the Church. All he owned was his Bible; a gift from 5 of his 6 siblings (the 6th being Vincent who had no money to contribute).
Father Richard, just like Pope Leo, then spent the next 25+ years of his life serving, teaching and providing priestly services to the residents of a small village in Peru. During the summer he traveled the Amazon, providing his services to many small villages.
When SHining Path started executing priests and nuns, he was ordered to leave. He did so, reluctantly. But, he had no choice. What the Holy See ordered, he did. Packed his little suitcase with his one change of clothing and his Bible. Left on the excuse that he had an appointment in Houston with his doctor (he had terrible thrombophlebitis and ended up losing a leg a few years later). Father Richard was sent to teach at St. Mary's High School in St. Louis....ironically to join Brother VIncent. Richard continued teaching even after he lost his leg but for a short time, sadly.
In 1988 he was ordered by the Church to retire to their home in San Antonio TX where, still owning nothing but his Bible and a rosary my mother gave him to celebrate 70 years in the priesthood, he lived until his death in 1989. I swear it was of a broken heart. He couldn't bear not teaching and helping others,
THAT is true communism. Yet he lived a life of kindness, service to anyone in need, and a love of all mankind. Not a penny to his name. Not even the clothing on his back was his.
Thanks a million for important context and perspective that named this regime for what it is: a focused attack on the values, institutions, and processes of American democracy. Working together over the coming 4 months we can and must generate an overwhelming repudiation of this discredited playbook that deceives millions — until it doesn’t. The challenge is real. Our time is now’
Mitch - thanks again for your ongoing efforts to expose the lies and grift. You’re a shining beacon of truth - as corny as that sounds.
My hat is off to you sir.
Let's be like Charles Hamilton Houston. https://substack.com/home/post/p-205448860 Keep your eyes on the prize. Hold on.
Democratic Socialists have a serious branding problem that is playing into Trump's hands and could potentially have devastating impact on the midterms. It's the word "Socialist." They have much needed ideas that are popular with voters, but everything could be tanked by just that one word, "Socialist." Historically the US has never really distinguished between "communism" and "socialism." That's the problem, and Trump is already equating the two. We don't have time now to educate the population of this country about the differences. If liberal/progressive Democrats want to give themselves a name to be distinct from other Democrats and give themselves a group identity so they can print T shirts, there are plenty of other terms they could use that do not play into the hands of the MAGA movement. I can only hope and pray this country is not tanked by branding that was not properly thought out.
Whether or not you agree with communism, giving misinformation about what it is only adds to the fear you are fighting against.
Please don't assume all communism is authoritarian and corrupt, simply because the examples from history turned out to be (primarily because the US got involved in ensuring corruption, so they could point and say 'that is bad'). For example a libertarian communist is someone who believes that everything should be owned by everyone, everything shared equal (ie unions and co-ops).
As another Australian onlooker the America I knew (and lived in for one year as a five year old kindy kid when my dad worked at Southern Illinois University) is now a society so ravaged by intractable division and wilful ignorance on the part of so many (approximately one third of the voting population....!) that I wonder if it can ever be restored.
You may wonder why an Aussie living in Sydney should care that much but it is Trump's utter contempt for the very office he holds which in turn makes him contemptuous of virtually every rock solid alliance and social and political norm that it is impossible to even predict the awfulness of what may eventuate on the world stage that may affect us all.
Does he "green light" his good mate Putin to use a tactical nuclear weapon in Ukraine two weeks out from the midterm elections as the ultimate tactic to avoid what (hopefully) is the inevitable outcome of sensible Americans saying they've had enough? Does he keep the Iran conflict simmering on the back burner so that he can re-ignite it at any moment he needs yet another smokescreen for his endless and heinous transgressions? Or, will it be Cuba, Greenland or another insane foray into upending world harmony for his own profit, shelter from political abandonment and aggrandisement?
I'm pleased to share with you that the survey after survey (look up the Lowy Institue Poll released June 22) show that a vast majority of Australians detest Trump and see him for the incompetent, corrupt and toxic fool that he is. So, I can say with certainty that on the day he is finally vanquished millions of us down here will breathe a mighty sigh of relief.
Australia is what Trump calls Communist.
We have universal healthcare, capped medicines, progressive taxation etc.
Australia is NOT Communist. It is not even democratic socialist. It is a liberal democracy
Compare Trump's words with our reality here in Australia.
Think for yourself. Wake up!
Only complete fools conflate Socialism with Communism.
Get a DICTIONARY, ffs.
This so much needed to be said out loud. Thank you for putting the truth out there in such a clear easily read way.
You forgot to mention that he's pretty much extorted Intel, US Steel, and MP Materials to give the government a share of their companies (and done something similar with a slice of Nvidia's sales). Can you imagine the hubbub - and the accusations of Communism - that would result if a democrat tried to nationalize industry like that.
Actually, its worse than that. The government has only invested in a business in the past if it needed to be saved from collapse, such as two automotive industries in 2009. What Trump is doing is creating the government as an interested party to the success of these companies. That could be considered anti-competitive for any companies that compete against them.
Thank you for this important look at just how horrific his July 4 speech was. Yes, he knows we are not communists and do not want to be communists. However, he came upon a word he hopes will give him leverage to destroy his enemies — his enemies being decent Americans. Even if he doesn’t know what communism is, he knows a useful word when he hears it, and the fright factor that’s historically associated with communism is what he’s counting on to step up his ability to bully and threaten.
Several commentators have noted that many younger voters who have no memory of the Iron Curtain and the Cold War won’t be as intimidated by the word “communist.” However, communist rule has was a dark part of 20th century history, especially when Stalin was in power. We must remember that —but we must also remember the anti-communist hysteria here at home for which Senator McCarthy fanned the flames. His war on communism ruined many American lives. And his lawyer taught someone who paid attention in class — Donald Trump. He is taking all he learned and using it do evil’s bidding.
I never imagined that we would have a president who hated the very people he leads, who takes pleasure in destroying anything that is decent, and who has an entire administration full of sycophants who are afraid to do anything but offer eager help.
I want a decent country —one that recognizes its flaws and never stops striving to be better. We won’t have that with this regime.
On the very same day that trump is calling half of the people in the US communists, a large group of 400 men wearing masks and carrying US flags and Confederate rags, who call themselves the Patriot Front. The fact is that trump and these racists used incorrect terms. The 50+% of Americans trump condemns are not communists, and the Patriot Front members are not patriots.
It does not surprise me that trump did not condemn the white-nationalist march, as it is most probable that several members of the group were among the terrorists that attacked the Capitol on January 6; thus, the reason for the masks.
Absolutely. The simple-minded president only cares about who obeys him and who opposes him, or his supporters. That is why on September 22, 2025, he declared Antifa as a terrorist organization (even though there is no formal organization); and on September 25 they issued a memorandum on “Countering Domestic Terrorism and Organized Political Violence.” That allowed non-profits organizations, like the SPLC to be investigated. They are especially a target because they call out right-wing political and religious groups.
No communism. No socialism in the US. And never will be. We are longing for a social market capitalism and the guardrails of law make the capitalist marketplace work for all Americans!
Trump & Co has found the "enemy from within" & it is us. Untethered from reality Trump claims targets phantom “terrorists" & communists again. Get up, stand up & resist the fraudster authoritarians.
Please, bring on a Blue Tsunami. #VoteBlue!