he seemed remarkably accepting of the fact that I was a communist at the time we met

Communism (in context of soviet russia) is authoritarianism.
Whats not to love about it - for an authoritarian?

The real question then, is "how would someone who is not a mid-wit resolve such an internal crisis?"

That's not the real question - that's a case of not asking the right question...

If you're not a midwit, there would be no internal crisis as you've described.

Higher IQ's recognize all the paradox's, and come to their own internal resolution to have no cognitive dissonance.
Lower IQ's would can't be arsed - the internal questions - and conflict- would never arise (lucky bastards! lol)

Non midwit in the IQ ranges of 110- 125....they understand the picture already, and get on with their lives.(they ain't stoopid).

Cognitive dissonance is the constant background music for the midwit - they just don't hear it...(if they did - that would be psychotic break territory).

The real question is:

"how would someone who is a mid-wit resolve such an internal crisis?"

Now get off the couch ! lol.... I have a mega babe getting on it very soon...(your bill's in the post)