[Salman]

Bernie was a Communist. There really is no question about that,

If he really isn't a Communist now, then he must be an ex-Communist. Those exist. I've known a few.

But if he were an ex-Communist, his main point would be how wrong he used to be and how Communism is the worst possible system.

No one is more anti-Communist than a sincere ex-Communist.

[Clarence The One Eyed Lion]

Substituting other nomenclatures for the word “communist” is a deception.

Deception defines communism.