Comments by "gary K" (@garyK.45ACP) on "'You Used To Be A Member Of The Young Commies?' Kennedy Grills Comptroller Nominee" video.

I like Senator Kennedy, and I appreciate his support and patriotism, but he has been given incorrect information, I believe. Membership in the Young Pioneers and the Komsomol was required by ALL students. My wife was born and raised in the Ukrainian SSR, she was also a member. Membership in the Young Pioneers ended when you entered High School and you were enrolled in the Komsomol through High School and college (if you went to college) Membership ends when you finish school. At that time you either join the Communist party or you don't. You didn't voluntary "join" or "quit" the Young Pioneers or the Komsomol. Many people erroneously compare it to the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts. But those organizations are voluntary and not run by the government. This would be like holding a US child responsible for being taught Critical Race Theory. It was NOT a choice. This was forced communist indoctrination. Most of the students saw it for what it was, and despised going to the meetings and activities. And THIS is why we must oppose things like CRT in our schools! When my wife was interviewed by USCIS for her permanent residency and, later, when she became a citizen, she was asked if she was ever a member of the Communist Party OTHER THAN through involuntary enrollment in student programs. Congresswoman Victoria Spartz (R-IN) was born and raised in Ukraine, as was my wife. Ukraine was a Republic of the USSR and Ms. Spartz was also a member of the Young Pioneers and Komsomol. I'm not sure if Slovenia had something similar. Probably they did. If so, then Melania Trump was a member. My wife, now a naturalized US Citizen, is very much capitalist, very much in favor of our rights, and voted for Trump. Twice. She believes Biden is destroying HER country. Generally, citizens of former communist countries are VERY much anti-communist and VERY pro-Rights. Not so sure about this woman, but most are.
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