A Republican congresswoman faced derision Thursday for urging Americans she identified as "communists" to move to Europe and suffer through a record-breaking heat wave.
Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI) cried out in alarm on Newsmax over a string of Democratic primary election wins this week by candidates endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America.
"For the people in our country who want to turn this country into a communist country -- leave," McClain said. "Go to Europe where they are experiencing this heat wave and they don't have air conditioning. See how well that works for you. I'm proud to be an American. I respect the flag."
The Michigan Republican's impassioned plea was met with criticism and mockery.
"Today I learned that what separates capitalism from communism is air conditioning!" exclaimed economist Tony Annett.
"Europe doesn’t have air conditioning?" remarked radio personality Sean Burke.
"Can the Republican Party get any dumber?" asked veteran newsman John Harwood.
"McLain is an idiot," scoffed tennis legend Martina Navratalova. "She wouldn’t know a communist if they were in bed with her."
"Actually, she does not respect the flag, because she refuses to see America as it is," opined journalist John Stoehr. "The flag for her is a symbol so drained of its meaning only the form remains."
"So the next highly orchestrated, completely manufactured panic on the right is that liberals are plotting to steal your air conditioner," predicted journalist Jay Bookman.
"How dare you? There are no such communists and your dear leader has done more to destroy plans to confront climate change than anyone," scolded law professor Sara Dillon. "You, the advocates of neofascism, are the ones who should leave."