Unmasking Communism in New Mexico
By Representative Elaine Sena Cortez (District 62)
Recently, a Democrat colleague in the New Mexico Legislature referred to Republican members as “fascists.” Also, at a recent Legislative committee meeting, another Democrat colleague accused federal ICE agents of acting like the “KKK.” In addition, several Democratic officials now proclaim to be “Democratic Socialists.” These exchanges caused me to reflect on the state of affairs surrounding politics in New Mexico.
There was a time when “communism” was viewed as an existential threat to our Country’s existence. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy bravely stared down the evils of communism during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Brave Americans, including my own father, fought communism in Vietnam. From the Soviet Union to the People’s Republic of China, history has shown the atrocities and death tolls of communist regimes.
In 1848, Karl Marx and Frederick Engels published the Communist Manifesto. This manual outlines the goals of the communist movement. Those goals include, among other things: destruction of the family; “liberation” of children from their parents; destruction of religion; and abolition of nationality and the elimination of borders. Importantly, in the preface of the Manifesto, Engels joins socialism and communism hand in hand. In short, he proclaims that communism is the next step of socialism.
In 1935, a group of Marxist Communists came to the United States and embedded themselves at Columbia University. They referred to themselves as the Frankfurt School. Among their members was Wilhelm Reich, who believed the family was authoritarian and championed women’s infidelity and children’s sexual liberation. By these measures, Reich believed there would be more women and children available to satisfy men’s sexual desires. Today, the ideas of the Frankfurt School are being implemented on college campuses around the United States.
This history is important so that we can understand what we are seeing in politics today. Democratic Socialists, a wing of the Progressive movement, have gained tremendous influence in New Mexico’s political landscape.
Where the Manifesto calls for the destruction of the family, progressives passed S.B. 10 (2021), which legalized abortion in New Mexico without restrictions. What’s more alarming is that in 2019, the abortion measure failed with a few Democrats voting with Republicans against it. Those same Democrats were targeted by their own party and replaced with progressive people.
Where the Manifesto calls for the “liberation” of children from their parents, New Mexico progressives passed H.B. 7 (2023), wherein a child can begin gender transitioning treatment without parental consent.
Where the Manifesto calls for the destruction of religion, today we see houses of worship draped in “Pride” flags. Churches followed executive mandates to close during the COVID pandemic. Faith leaders refrain from publicly condemning abortion for fear of reprisal from politicians and the media. Politicians eliminate God in public speeches, then swiftly seek to fill the void with the religion of politics.
Where the Manifesto calls for the destruction of borders, today we see politicians publicly attack ICE agents and call for the elimination of ICE detention centers. Never mind that the ICE detention center in Otero County was established in 2008 under the leadership of Governor Bill Richardson, a Democrat. Never mind that estimates show over thirty percent of ICE agents are Hispanic. Never mind that many undocumented workers are being exploited by their employers without recourse.
And so, according to my colleagues in the New Mexico Legislature, those who do not support progressive ideas are “fascists.” Where did this come from? Another member of the Frankfurt School was Theodor Adorno. He created the “F-scale,” which labeled people in degrees of fascism by their support for traditional families or their participation in religion. Call me “old fascist,” but these are two pillars of the Hispanic family many of us were raised in. Furthermore, the attacks on President Trump as a fascist ignore the measures taken by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, a Democrat, from 1933 to 1945. Those measures include: placing Japanese Americans in internment camps, packing the US Supreme Court to push New Deal measures; and expanding the financial powers of the executive. Ironically, historical accounts of President Roosevelt do not depict him as a fascist.
So, you may ask yourself, “Why is New Mexico last in education, last in child well-being, first in crime, and one of the poorest states in the Nation?” The answer is clear – in line with the aims of socialism and communism – it’s supposed to be this way. The Democratic Party is under siege by communism. In the wake of this siege, the Democratic Party has abandoned thousands of New Mexicans who believe that faith and family are the foundations of strong communities. They push hate, demand loyalty, and silence any dissenters. They no longer represent the spirit of New Mexico.
Please do not interpret this article as an attack on my Democrat colleagues. I have formed many friendships across the aisle in the Legislature. I value those friendships. I see the inner turmoil of many of my Democrat colleagues. They are often faced with the dilemma of adherence to progressive dogmas or preparing for an election challenge from their own Party. I do not envy their situation. The goal of this article is to reveal the nefarious motive of an old political movement that has resurfaced in our State. I implore proud New Mexicans to wake up. You don’t have to become Republican, although you are welcome in our Party, but at a minimum, you must reject the progressive “socialists” ideas in your own party in order to save our State.