To the editor:

When I arrived from a communist and atheist system to the freedom of the USA, it was Christmas time, 1964. It was a most delightful experience for me that Christmas was celebrated everywhere. People would smile, sing, and exchange “Merry Christmas” greetings everywhere. Coming from oppressed communism into the joyous Christmas season of the USA was a positive, uplifting contrast.
What happened since?  The public seems to have voluntarily submitted to some kind of “political correctness,” and has switched to some kind of self-censorship, where freedom of speech is voluntarily given up to appease the belligerents.
I just came home from a routine shopping trip, and the various store associates replied to my “Merry Christmas” greeting by looking to the other side. This is now the most common pattern. Compare that to 1964. Did I end up now back in communism, where everybody, for their self defense, knew how to practice self-censorship?
What is the matter, fellow Americans? Are you voluntarily surrendering your freedoms?
Celebrating Christmas is part of the American tradition, a joyous tradition, and it is not directed against, nor harmful to anyone. I have Jewish friends who told me they always celebrated Christmas, but obviously not for religious reasons, but for being part of a society for which it was a joyous holiday.
I call on all the free and the brave to look back onto 1964, and celebrate again, joyfully, a Merry Christmas.

Tibor Kormendy
Kennebunk