Communist Parties in the U.S.A.

So, I think that there are no decent Communist Parties in the U.S.A. CPUSA just sucks. I think they didn't want Communism in America because they loved both America and Communism, I think they hated America and wanted to use Communism to bring down America, and now that the USSR's been gone for 20 years, I have no clue why they're still around. Then there's the RCP, and I don't know a lot about them but there's a poster for them at the high school near me, and they seem to be quite violent, and also hate America. Are there any Marxist parties in the U.S.?

Most people around here will probably tell you that the PSL is the best Marxist party in the US. I personally don't know much about them, I'm always meaning to look into them but never get around to it, but a lot of people here could probably offer some insight to them.

You're right about the CPUSA sucking though. I did a report on them when I was in high school and at first I was thinking "these guys are awesome I'm gonna join them when I turn 18" then I almost immediately realized how bad they are and how they haven't done shit since the 50's. However I think there's a few pro CPUSA people on the site and there might actually be some members.

RCP is Bob Avakian's group, and they pretty much have a cult around Chairman Bob. Nobody particularly likes them.

Quote:

I think they didn't want Communism in America because they loved both America and Communism, I think they hated America and wanted to use Communism to bring down America, and now that the USSR's been gone for 20 years, I have no clue why they're still around.

That makes so little sense. Why does following Communism necessarily mean becoming dependent on the USSR? Why is it not possible to support America and be a Communis? Are you implying that the USA must forever and always remain a market economy? If so, why? (And please don't just say, "Because, AMERICA.")

I'd contact the Party for Socialism & Liberation in Columbus Ohio. They have a great branch there. Contact info.

I hate America.

Try getting in touch with some Maoists-Third Worldists.

@ Komissar
A lot of CPUSA members were convicted of espionage during the Cold War era. A lot of that is probably fake though, I imagine the U.S. was just looking to make an example out of some of them. What I mean is I think (and correct me if I'm wrong) that CPUSA was founded by some people from Russia right around the time of the revolution, and the goal of them wasn't to support America and Communism like you said, but I think their goal was to destroy America. I support both America and Communism, not necessarily in conjunction with each other. I think capitalism works here (to some degree, growing up wealthy I still have yet to see extreme poverty. I am aware that our system creates things like that. Those are kinks that need to be worked out like in any system). I don't think Communism would work here because of the things like the Bill of Rights, which are so ingrained in our culture. I also don't think Communism is something that can be forced down people's throats. People here, for the most part, don't want it. Now, I think that's because they've been lied to, but the REASON doesn't matter, if they don't want it, for whatever reason, they won't take it.

@ Red Rebel
Thanks

@Mabool
Is that comment REALLY necessary ? I know that people here aren't known for being terribly fond of America, but I mean, come on.

KVyacheslav wrote:

@ Komissar
A lot of CPUSA members were convicted of espionage during the Cold War era. A lot of that is probably fake though, I imagine the U.S. was just looking to make an example out of some of them. What I mean is I think (and correct me if I'm wrong) that CPUSA was founded by some people from Russia right around the time of the revolution, and the goal of them wasn't to support America and Communism like you said, but I think their goal was to destroy America. I support both America and Communism, not necessarily in conjunction with each other. I think capitalism works here (to some degree, growing up wealthy I still have yet to see extreme poverty. I am aware that our system creates things like that. Those are kinks that need to be worked out like in any system). I don't think Communism would work here because of the things like the Bill of Rights, which are so ingrained in our culture. I also don't think Communism is something that can be forced down people's throats. People here, for the most part, don't want it. Now, I think that's because they've been lied to, but the REASON doesn't matter, if they don't want it, for whatever reason, they won't take it.

@ Red Rebel
Thanks

@Mabool
Is that comment REALLY necessary :?: ? I know that people here aren't known for being terribly fond of America, but I mean, come on.

I always thought that American Communists did sincerly care about America, and it's people. I believe that they considered themselves to be modern day American patriot revolutionaries.

Well, I hate imperialism and the US is the worst imperialist state, so go figure. I seriously don't believe that the United States of America is worth anything at all, and, by extension, it is my firm conviction that the world would be well rid of it. If that offends you, I'm sorry, but it's a fact. I'm not racist against Americans however, if that's how you understood it. In fact I don't have any problem with the American nation at all. Just with the way their government has been behaving since the New Deal ended.

There was a strong Communist movement in the USA long before the Revolution occured in Russia. My former party, the Socialist Labor Party is proof of this. Its history, as well as the career of Daniel DeLeon, are well worth reading up on.

KVyacheslav wrote:

What I mean is I think (and correct me if I'm wrong) that CPUSA was founded by some people from Russia right around the time of the revolution, and the goal of them wasn't to support America and Communism like you said, but I think their goal was to destroy America.

That's not quite right. The CPUSA was originally formed as a splinter of the Socialist Party of America that separated over the issue of whether or not to support the revolution in Russia. Collaboration between the CPUSA and the CPSU wouldn't really begin until after WWII. Also, their goal was never to destroy America. Quite the opposite, actually. They felt that communism would provide America with a way to live up to its ideals of freedom and equality.

KVyacheslav wrote:

A lot of CPUSA members were convicted of espionage during the Cold War era. A lot of that is probably fake though, I imagine the U.S. was just looking to make an example out of some of them.

Remember that this was at a time where simply associating with communists or communism was considered betrayal to your country. So the government was all over parties like this at the time.

KVyacheslav wrote:

I don't think Communism would work here because of the things like the Bill of Rights, which are so ingrained in our culture.

Say what now? I don't think the two are contradictory. Check out the CPUSA's platform if you have the time.

@Mabool
Its all good. What do you mean by their behavior since new deal ended?

@Indigo
Thanks for the clarification. I was told the first bit, and then the second bit went to reinforce the first bit. What I'm saying about the bill of rights are things like guns and freedom of press. I don't know how those things fit in with communism.

KVyacheslav wrote:

What I'm saying about the bill of rights are things like guns and freedom of press. I don't know how those things fit in with communism.

I'd expect most communist to be rather supportive of the right to bear arms. After all, we are trying to start an armed revolution. Freedom of the press is generally okay as well, however I wouldn't be adverse to restricting capitalist propaganda if necessary.

I think that Communists might find the 2nd Amendment useful and be supportive of it, since it would help them fight (if it came down to armed struggle) and preserve the revolution. It would give the revolutionaries a way of defending themselves against counterrevolutionary forces both during the process of taking power, and it would also provide a means by which people's militias could be formed against counterrevolutionary activities from both above and below.

Plus there are certain things that are just so ingrained within American traditions that to attempt to overturn them would be damn near impossible and meet opposition. This is why I always find it funny when conservatives talk about Obama wanting to take away Americans' guns and stuff.

As for things like freedom of speech and the press, well, I'm guessing that it would be unwise to restrict them. Even most socialist countries have guaranteed rights in their constitutions like the ones we have in the First Amendment. Nevertheless, just as in America you can't just say anything you want in public, in pre-existing socialist countries, and I'm guessing in the future, should socialism come to pass, it would be similar. Obviously, the former and current countries calling themselves socialist in their constitutions did go too far with censorship, but likewise you wouldn't find articles condemning capitalism and the bourgeois state in the mainstream press. In this sense, freedoms of speech and the press, even when guaranteed in the constitution, have always been up to interpretation by those who control the means of production and capital that grants economic and by proxy, political power.

The Greek KKE has written a critique of Webb's program
http://inter.kke.gr/News/news2011/2011- ... e-to-cpusa

That was a great read heiss93. Glad to see a party with some sort of authority critiquing the CPUSA.

The Mexican CP has also issued a statement
http://mltoday.com/subject-areas/opport ... -1133.html

KVyacheslav wrote:

@ Komissar
A lot of CPUSA members were convicted of espionage during the Cold War era. A lot of that is probably fake though, I imagine the U.S. was just looking to make an example out of some of them. What I mean is I think (and correct me if I'm wrong) that CPUSA was founded by some people from Russia right around the time of the revolution, and the goal of them wasn't to support America and Communism like you said, but I think their goal was to destroy America. I support both America and Communism, not necessarily in conjunction with each other. I think capitalism works here (to some degree, growing up wealthy I still have yet to see extreme poverty. I am aware that our system creates things like that. Those are kinks that need to be worked out like in any system). I don't think Communism would work here because of the things like the Bill of Rights, which are so ingrained in our culture. I also don't think Communism is something that can be forced down people's throats. People here, for the most part, don't want it. Now, I think that's because they've been lied to, but the REASON doesn't matter, if they don't want it, for whatever reason, they won't take it.

Agreed, and look at McCarthy act and house committee on Un-american Activities