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The Original Strategy: Part I: How Communism Learned to Capture Institutions. By Idaho Representative David J Leavitt (12/19/25)
Author’s Note: David Leavitt
This essay is the first in a four-part series examining how power has gradually moved away from individual citizens and into organizational structures that operate largely outside public awareness. Each part builds on the last. The goal is not to provoke outrage, but to provide clarity about how modern governance came to feel imposed rather than chosen.
Idaho Rep. David Leavitt (LD25) — a member of Idaho’s Gang of Eight — is a powerful voice for freedom in Idaho, but his messages should resonate with every American. We urge you to subscribe to his substack and read every article.
In this article, Rep. Leavitt discusses the true intentions of communism. He opens with this:
One of the most persistent misunderstandings about communism is the belief that it was primarily an economic theory aimed at improving working conditions. While economics played a role, the deeper objective was always political. Communism sought control not merely of production, but of the structures that organize people, shape identity, and concentrate leverage. Power was never meant to flow upward from individuals. It was meant to be centralized, managed, and redirected.
This strategy was not implied. It was stated.
Summary (Grok ai, edited; images from article)
Capturing Institutions
Communism’s approach weakened governments from within by controlling trusted organizations. It embedded like a disease, repurposing institutions while maintaining appearances. Goals included capturing unions, parties, courts, schools, media, culture, and churches.
Explicitly targeted labor unions for leverage.
Unions organized people collectively, allowing leadership to control voices of large groups.
Targeting Unions
The Communist Objective: Redirect union loyalty to collective and centralized authority, not just improve worker conditions. Workers became class representatives, detached from family, faith, and nation.
Unions could influence elections, pressure governments, normalize ideology.
Maintained appearance of worker representation.
ED NOTE
Teachers’ unions are a perfect example of a coordinated effort to introduce leftist ideology into our schools. Here's an example of "Education Justice" from the largest labor union in America, National Education Association: nea.org/advocating-for-…
See also "NELSON: Idaho’s Sen. Risch, Rep. Fulcher take on the NEA. By Maxford Nelsen (12/16/25): gemstatechronicle.com/2…Origins of Unions
Early unions formed organically from industrial era hardships: long hours, dangers, low wages.
Bottom-up, local, personal grievances.
Reflected American instinct for free organization when rights were unprotected.
Communist Redirection of Unions
The Strategy: Capture and repurpose unions.
Shifted from concrete demands to collective identity.
Pattern across goals: Replace organic authority with managed consensus.
U.S. Resistance and Regulation
U.S. resisted but not perfectly. Unions were regulated by laws on formation, finances, elections.
Regulatory scrutiny reflects recognition that collective power must be constrained in a constitutional republic.
Individual citizen, not the collective body, must remains the primary unit of political authority.
Union Influence Evolves
By mid-20th century, blue-collar unions plateaued; economy shifted to services, professionals.
Strategy adapted: Communism became embedded in what appeared to be neutral, technical systems.
Not always intentional, but structural centralization rarely remains benign.
Broader Implications
Collectives redirect from individuals to authority.
Legitimate grievances used to justify control.
Vigilance is needed when representation is abstracted.
Related:
David Leavitt Substack: leavitt4idaho.substack.…
Idaho Gang of Eight Substack: idahogangofeight.substa…
Warnings From the Past America Can't Afford to Ignore. By David J Leavitt (12/12/25): leavitt4idaho.substack.… | Substack Note: tinyurl.com/mazcwm7y
