Joining CPUSA?

Hi everyone,

Since I was last here, I have become "more" of a Communist. I will start reading some Marx soon.

As an aside, I was thinking of joining the CPUSA.

Is this a good or a bad move? and if a BAD move, alternatives please.

Thank you,
Richard

Pick a party that's both near you and active. If you have a variety of choices from there, pick the one that matches your views the best.

Is it a bad move? That's up to you. I don't like the CPUSA, they're a group of democrat-tailing new lefties, but that's my opinion. I like the party for socialism and liberation, a genuine and very active marxist-leninist party. But there's also others like the progressive labor party (marxist leninist, though with some differences), the socialist workers party (trotskyists), workers world party (marxist-leninist), industrial workers of the world (syndicalist/lib com/anarcho com), international socialist organization (trotskyist), and a few others.

If you can, learn about prospective parties by checking out their rallies and meetings, visiting their offices, contacting them, and so on. You'll get to know them a lot better then just reading a wiki article or something.

Quote:

I was thinking of joining the CPUSA

Well, first off, they aren't communists. They are social democrats. (or dem/soc if you prefer) If you read Marx and Lenin and then read the CPUSA's 'The Road to Socialism', you may answer your own question. I don't agree with that book at all. Why? Socialism is the road to communism. The perpetuation of capitalism and the endorsing of a capitalist party are in no way going to achieve socialism.

I have dealt with them. They are not bad people to work with. We did some work with the unions around where I live. I really don't want to get into details about it.

I am just not ideologically inclined with them. Four years ago, that didn't matter as much to me. Today, I feel its more like pissing against the wind.

Points to consider:

[*]If you are a revolutionary, they are not; and they are not interested in discussing it or returning to their revolutionary ways. They are strictly democratic reformers.
[*]They endorse the Democrats which is a perpetuation of capitalism.
[*]They are more anti-republican than they are pro-socialism. It is a far better stance to have to promote something better, rather than just ramble on about how bad the incumbent is.
[*]If you think you are going to change their platform, no matter who you rub shoulders with, forget about it.

Find a party to join that is as like minded as you are. It is much better in the long run to have intra-party solidarity first and foremost.

Thank you everyone. I'll be reading some more Marx, Lenin, etc. before I make any decisions, but the groups mentioned will help me along. I'll be here to ask more questions and so on.

IMO, why is it bad to "perpetuate" capitalism if the CPUSA is getting more members? Maybe it is a tactic to draw more in who normally wouldnt be interested in Communism?

Richard

Vzldrb wrote:

IMO, why is it bad to "perpetuate" Capitalism if the CPUSA is getting more members?

Well, Richard, it isn't that CPUSA or any Socialist party is "perpetuating" capitalism. Obviously, the corporations and their legislative lackeys are responsible for that. But, as I've come to understand myself over the past few months ( through a combination of reading other's opinions here and my own research), CPUSA and groups like the Socialist Party, etc. are basically reinforcing Capitalism by fawning over Obama and the reformist wing of the Democratic party instead of criticizing the entire rotten system as inherently evil and irredeemable.

Vzldrb wrote:

Maybe it is a tactic to draw more in who normally wouldnt be interested in Communism?

Making a Social-Democratic party out of a revolutionary Communist party isn't going to attract the more militant go-getter types who are hungry to make an actual revolution. And attracting Social-Democrats to the party just gets you another addition to the "leftist" wing of the Democrat voter base who are neither inclined, nor in a position of power, to effect any meaningful change.

Thank you.

I've looked up some of the names mentioned in the first reply...

I would love a party that is USSR inclined and non-revolutionary. Revolutions may have worked back in the day, but in the USA in this day and age, probably will not get us far, or noticed - just in jail. Let's vote ourselves into power.

Richard

Voting ourselves into power would be cool if it were possible. Let me ask you this: why would the ruling elite peacefully disenfranchise themselves?

We can only get so far on the electoral playground before the bourgeoisie and their pocket state decide we have gone too far, and the situation spirals into armed conflict that would've happened otherwise. Bourgeois politics are dedicated to managing the affairs of the bourgeoisie. We must smash the state, seize all private property and put it under the control of the proletariat where the inevitable result is the formation of the workers state to protect their gains, and the socialist politics that come along with it naturally.

Socialist politics and bourgeois politics are incompatible with each other. The state must either serve bourgeois interests or proletarian interests. And, like in history, states with opposing interests tend to wage war with each other. We will have our own and they will have theirs.

Quote:

Let me ask you this: why would the ruling elite peacefully disenfranchise themselves?

This.

Look no further than Chile under Allende to realize the Bourgeoisie is in no way going to willingly do away with themselves. in my opinion, you can't vote in communism. It would most certainly have to be insurged.

Conscript wrote:

We can only get so far on the electoral playground before the bourgeoisie and their pocket state decide we have gone too far, and the situation spirals into armed conflict that would've happened otherwise.

Could it be, perhaps, that the only way to reach that stage of the revolution is to first participate in bourgeoisie elections? I speculate that the only way to get the masses on our side is if we first try to do things peacefully, and when the enemy sics the police, FBI, etc on us, only then we will have the chance to really expose the true nature of the system to the public.

i am debating with a mtw recently about my party and how they have links with eurocommunism.

Quote:

Well, Richard, it isn't that CPUSA or any Socialist party is "perpetuating" capitalism. Obviously, the corporations and their legislative lackeys are responsible for that. But, as I've come to understand myself over the past few months ( through a combination of reading other's opinions here and my own research), CPUSA and groups like the Socialist Party, etc. are basically reinforcing Capitalism by fawning over Obama and the reformist wing of the Democratic party instead of criticizing the entire rotten system as inherently evil and irredeemable.

If you are refering to the Socialist Party U.S.A. , then you are wrong. I just voted absentee for the Socialist candidate for U.S. Senate, Daniel Labotz. Now the Democratic Socialists of America go along with the CPUSA in supporting Democratic candidates, by and large. What's really something though is when a Communist not only votes for Democrats, but runs as one as well. http://www.cleveland.com/cityhall/index.ssf/2009/10/rick_nagins_city_council_campa.html

Red Son wrote:

Could it be, perhaps, that the only way to reach that stage of the revolution is to first participate in bourgeoisie elections? I speculate that the only way to get the masses on our side is if we first try to do things peacefully, and when the enemy sics the police, FBI, etc on us, only then we will have the chance to really expose the true nature of the system to the public.

That would make perfect sense if they were also simultaneously prepared for revolution, a la Sinn Fein. But to tail the Democrats without even being prepared to defend themselves should this "alliance" prove inconvenient for their bourgeois masters is simple, shameless opportunism without the possibility of redeeming gains to show for it.

Join a party that is active in your area. Here are some suggestions from a fellow comrade from PA.

Lehigh Valley
Students for a Democratic Society (Muhlenberg College)
Young Democratic Socialists (Lehigh Carbon CC)
Philadelphia Metro
Anti-Racist Action (Philadelphia)
Democratic Socialists of America (Philadelphia)
Educate and Liberate (Philadelphia)
Party for Socialism and Liberation (Philadelphia)
Socialist Action (Philadelphia)
Socialist Party USA (Philadelphia)
Solidarity (Philadelphia)
Workers Power (Philadelphia)
Workers World Party (Philadelphia)
Pittsburgh
Greater Pittsburgh Anarchist Collective (Pittsburgh)
Party for Socialism and Liberation (Pittsburgh)
Solidarity (Pittsburgh)
Workers International League (Pittsburgh)

There is also a WIL branch in the Philly suburbs.

Are the democratic socialists actually communists?

Just curious, as I go to LCCC.

Vzldrb wrote:

Are the democratic socialists actually communists?

No, they are social democrats and opportunists.

Comintern:
Then I cannot possibly be interested.

As of note, I have wishlist'd some books on amazon.;com to buy at the enxt paycheck. I'll let everyone know what I got. I believe I shall be taking notes.. of course.

Richard

EDIT: I still find it hard to find any US party that is pro CCCP. Why is this?

Quote:

No, they are social democrats and opportunists.

They aren't Leninists as such, but I don't think that they are all social democratic revisionists either. Like the CPUSA they just tend to end up rallying behind progressive left candidates in general.

You should contact the Us-Soviet friendship society if you want to be in touch with the anti-revisionist strongly Marxist-Leninist and pro-Stalin section of the CP.

See this magazine to learn about their ideological positions - http://www.northstarcompass.org/nsc1010/usfsp.htm
http://www.northstarcompass.org/usfsp/index.htm