You mean Stalinists call themselves ML? For what reason?

The American revolution was historically progressive. It led to the French and Haitian revolutions as well. I don’t think we have to single out specific figures, although Thomas Paine was on the radical edge. Jefferson was also a radical who supported the French revolution and yet he owned slaves. By now, capitalism has outlived it’s historical usefulness.

What are you trying to say? I think Lenin had useful insights and strategies, but Marxism is a bit broader.

Real Marxists know Marx didn’t morally condemn the rich. He wanted the workers to take hold of the productive forces created under capitalism and organize it under a rational basis.