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Beginning in 1950, Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy took the lead in opposing communist infiltration in the United States government.  Contrary to misunderstandings caused by media distortions, McCarthy complained about and opposed only communists who held high-level government jobs.  He did not complain about private citizens.

Beginning in 1950, Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy took the lead in opposing communist infiltration in the United States government.  Contrary to misunderstandings caused by media distortions, McCarthy complained about and opposed only communists who held high-level government jobs.  He did not complain about private citizens.

McCarthy was highly effective in exposing communists in key government jobs, and liberals hate him for it to this day.  Ultimately his opponents were able to foment public pressure against him, and other senators "censured" him near the end of his career after McCarthy was embarrassed during hearings in 1954 concerning communists in the Army.  The term "McCarthyism," coined in 1950 in reference to McCarthy's attempts to expose communists, became synonymous with the overzealous use of innuendo, rumor and guilt-by-association to destroy the reputation of someone.  In fact, McCarthy and Congress had a duty to uphold the Constitution and guard against infiltration of government positions by anyone committed to overthrowing our constitutional system, as communists were.

McCarthy was highly effective in exposing communists in key government jobs, and liberals hate him for it to this day.  Ultimately his opponents were able to foment public pressure against him, and other senators "censured" him near the end of his career after McCarthy was embarrassed during hearings in 1954 concerning communists in the Army.  The term "McCarthyism," coined in 1950 in reference to McCarthy's attempts to expose communists, became synonymous with the overzealous use of innuendo, rumor and guilt-by-association to destroy the someone's reputation.  In fact, McCarthy and Congress had a duty to uphold the Constitution and guard against infiltration of government positions by anyone committed to overthrowing our constitutional system, as communists were.

One of the newsmen who criticized McCarthy in the 1950s was Edward R. Murrow, who is praised for his efforts by the media to this day.   

One of the newsmen who criticized McCarthy in the 1950s was Edward R. Murrow, who is praised for his efforts by the media to this day.