We will be bheda if we follow what outsiders like American government tells us what Maoists are. I left Nepal when the insurgency just started so I don't know what actually they have done there apart from the news and I don't trust news as they always write what makes their paper sell (which is very true here in the West as well). I have been to Nepal several times and haven't come across any maoist extortions. However, in 2003, I met some Germans on the trail to Everest Base camp who were quite supportive of them despite paying Rs.500 levy charged by them, which was bit of a surprise for me.
Are they really that mean or are we just making assumptions on the news that we have heard. My analysis makes me assume that apart from the YCL chors and their recruitment of underage people, Maoists do have vision for better Nepal. Whether they will be successful in Making Nepal better or not, time will tell.  So lets not be bhedas and share some real incidents involving Maoists and yourself, not something that you heard from your friend.