I was 28 years old when America celebrated its 200th anniversary. I had been out of the Marine Corps for five years, was married, and was expecting a baby in December. The celebrations were on all the TV networks. I especially remember watching the parade of over 200 historic vessels, including 16 majestic tall ships, sail up the Hudson River in New York City.

There was a second parade in Boston Harbor with 70 tall sailing vessels. That parade was led by the U.S.S. Constitution, “Old Ironsides.” It was 179 years old and led the parade while firing cannons. Seeing the U.S.S. Constitution in person is on my bucket list.

The Vietnam War was in the rearview mirror and pride in America seemed back in vogue, if it was ever gone. We’re a very flexible nation. We bounce back from tragedies, wars, depressions, and natural disasters. Pride, patriotism, and coming together to deal with tragedies and disasters is in America’s DNA. We are also a very generous nation, more than any other country.

Yet it seems the rising tide of socialism hangs over our America 250 celebrations. When asked what the difference is between socialism and communism, I used to answer, “About 10 years!” That’s no longer true. Let’s be honest: Democratic Socialism is Marxism for beginners. DSA (Democratic Socialists of America) candidates are boldly espousing communist goals. If they talk like communists, walk like communists, and wave communist flags, believe them!

Senator Bernie Sanders, who says he’s an independent, honeymooned in the Soviet Union and claims socialist policies, but I’ve always believed he’s a closet communist. Now he seems to be out of the closet! “The Squad” are only about two shades from being communist.

The “red threat” is clearly here and growing. What do we do? Should we be afraid?

Personally, I’m not afraid. I am concerned, but not afraid. I’ve lived too long and traveled to too many places across this great nation to think that this radical ideology is going to take root across the fruited plain. As Elisha prayed in II Kings 6:17-20, “‘O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.’ So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

There are always more of us than of the enemy. There are far more normal, God-fearing, Patriotic Americans than radical communist agitators. Americans have not lost enough of their senses to be taken in by the hate, greed, and envy of the communist agitators.

You may ask, “How can you say that?”

When our Founding Fathers drafted the Declaration of Independence, they were strengthened by their faith in God. Most of them were Christian. They knew true freedom came from our relationship with Jesus Christ. The Apostle John said it best:

“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’ They answered him, ‘We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, "You will become free”?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.’“ (John 8:31-36, emphasis added)

All throughout that incredible document, God-breathed principles were clearly laid out. The Founders knew that our rights come from God, not government. If government gives you rights, it can also take away those rights. Regardless of what Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, who apparently is ignorant of our founding document, says, our rights do not come from government.

Next week I’ll give more evidence of why we should not fear that the scourge of communism will take over our nation.

Something to pray about!
Semper Fidelis