OPINION:
In my lifetime, I have before never heard from a president or Congress the rhetoric we’re now hearing from Biden regarding people who do not agree with him (“Biden’s ‘semi-fascism’ rhetoric causing more Republicans to fly below polling radar,” Web, Sept. 15). My mother, a senior citizen, even said she is disappointed.
What Biden and the Democrats are saying has made me wonder about the source of inspiration. Why would they choose to demonize so many voters just because of a different point of view? While listening to references to Republicans as “extremist,” “racist” and “fascist,” I began to wonder whether this ever occurred before, and one name came to mind: Sen. Joseph McCarthy.
During the 1950s McCarthy used such rhetoric. He often accused people of being communists without giving specifics or evidence. The current administration has taken a page from the McCarthyism playbook, the aim of which was to create a climate of suspense and fear. McCarthy claimed that he possessed a black book of 200 names of communist sympathizers who threatened our democracy, but it was never produced for the public to view. McCarthyism was pure character assassination, the same thing we are now seeing in the run-up to the midterm elections.
The left’s McCarthyite moves have already cost many professionals, including professors and entertainers, their careers. The administration’s use of shocking labels to paint their political opponents in a bad light has spread and stopped the freedom of expression for which our country is known. Questioning voter loyalty reminds me of the words offered to McCarthy: “Have you no sense of decency, sir?” by attorney Joseph Welch during the Army-McCarthy hearings. Maybe our news reporters should ask Biden the same thing.
GREG RALEIGH
Washington
Please read our comment policy before commenting.