Exactly!!! Good post.
I guarantee he would not have won had he been honest and stated “I’m a Marxist”.
Don't wager too much on that guarantee. I've been doing my own survey the past few months and now have others working on it as well.
When asked; "Do you know what a Marxist or Marxism is?"
Most give a blank stare and slowly say, No.
This question is being asked of ordinary Americans...Joe the Plumber, small business owners, grandparents, recent high school/college grads, 15-90 year olds.
We are not educating the masses by masking in polite rhetoric what we are saying. If you are referring to a communist/socialist/fascist ... then say communist/socialist/fascist! Most folks have at least some recognition and understanding of those terms. Also understand that the terms socialist/socialism have been watered down to a degree that most no longer find them offensive.
Case in point -- read the first 2 definitions for Marxism here.
In fact,
...development from bourgeois oppression under capitalism to a socialist and ultimately classless society
will sound down right dreamy and preferred to a good percentage of the population.
All JMHO, of course.
Sadly, you are probably right.
I was giving my fellow Americans way too much credit!