Only a Few Remember the Anti-Communist Joe McCarthy



Joe McCarthy was a House member from Wisconsin in the 1950's. It was a time when both parties were fervently opposed to Communism. The conventional wisdom of the time was that Russia was huge and wealthy and intended to eventually invade the U.S. Stories about vast arms supplies buried and spies across the U.S. were common. Money was thrown at the Pentagon and still is. 

Today Washington politics goes after universities for teaching "woke." Professor are investigated. In the 1950's it was Communist professors. I don't recall there ever was even one Communist professor. There were many pointing out that communist block nations did not get along with each other very well and there was no actual evidence Russia and the old Soviet Union had any ability to invade other countries in Europe to say nothing of the U.S.

The link reviews what came to be almost universal dislike of McCarthy. He held hearings that were broadcast live on the three networks of that time. Somewhat like Trump, he picked out popular politicians, like President Truman, and accused them of being soft on Communism. Truman had not been soft on Communism. While it is not mentioned in the link, I've read in sources I trust McCarthy had a drinking problem and that this explained some of his strange behavior.   

It is amusing to see current Republicans trying the drum up enthusiasm for "anti Communism." The Joe McCarthy time was at least bolstered by the myth that the Soviet Union was a powerful source. It turned out not to be successful and was broken up a few decades later. Today there is no country that is a perceived "threat." There is no U.S. Communist Political Party larger than a small room full. 

It could well be that Republicans with or without Trump can find something successful to talk about. I predict "Communism" will not work.  
 

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