During the Cold War, particularly in the 1950s, the term “useful idiot” was used to describe people in the U.S. and other Western nations who, perhaps unwittingly, spread ideas enjoining communist ideology. Today, some young people in our country may not have even heard the term, especially since the Soviet Union dissolved more than 30 years ago. However, reviving the term in 2024 would be appropriate. Today’s useful idiots not only benefit foreign adversaries, but primarily act as tools for the Marxists formerly known as Democrats.

Today, useful idiots are everywhere: government, media, academia, even churches. Perhaps you are wondering, “am I a useful idiot?” Let’s find out.

If you supported Black Lives Matter, you might be a useful idiot. If you’ve ever said we should “defund the police,” you are likely a useful idiot. Do you call efforts to prevent pornography from being consumed by school children “book banning”? Useful idiot material. Believe that excluding biological males from competing in girls’ sports is transphobic? Definitely qualified for useful idiocy. Ever called a riot an insurrection? Card-carrying useful idiot. If you believe that the 2020 election was not subject to media interference, take the “U.” And the “I.” (Note: I didn’t say that Trump won the election.) Think the government should silence people with whom you disagree? Useful idiot.

Interestingly, you can be a useful idiot without actually being an idiot. You need only ignore reality when it exposes your dogmatic, destructive, leftist world view.

Richard Byers

Mt. Pleasant

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