So what's the counter-argument then? That there really wasn't a bunch of people who were secretly communist that hid it until they got into power? Like John Brennan? Like just about every liberal congressman who promised he/she's a moderate until he/she gets elected and then immediately starts voting for socialist policies?

McCarthy was sold in my history class as some paranoid boogieman, but in hindsight he looks like he was right all along. That's not me being baited by anybody right now, that's just what I believe. But I'm willing to listen to counter-arguments if you've got a good one.