I sympathize with this argument, but think that it's relevance is mostly behind us. People will only believe what they're told to believe and hate what they're told to hate as long as they buy in to the ideology, as long as their ruling class provides enough comfort to keep them satisfied and distracted. Now that capitalism is failing to do that, people are explicitly looking for alternatives, and in a time like this it does us no favors to hide. Now is the best time to be an out and proud communist.

For a lot of people, you're right. For a lot of other people, the alternative their looking for is fascism. Not explicitly-normal people don't consider themselves fascist. But they know America is no longer working for them and the fascists are telling them who to blame and presenting a bold vision for the future. For the same reason the fascists can't publicly call themselves fascists, the communists and socialists should be careful who they use that label with. Many still think any socialism will mean they pay more in taxes. If you present them with socialism, you will have to dispell a bunch of myths before you get to what you actually think should be done. You'll be on the back foot. Once they warm up to the ideas you propose, pull back the curtain and say what you've been talking about. Know your audience, I guess is what I'm saying.