SystemicCapital.com

[jdhoch]

Comrades,

I just joined the CPUSA recently. I was a communist as a teenager, went on to be a libertarian, Republican, Democrat, now back to Communist (at the age of 41).

I have a new website, and I welcome comments, articles & suggestions.

systemiccapital.com

[Q]

The site looks interesting, thanks.

But why did you join the CPUSA specifically? If anything that is the most non-communist organisation in the states. It basically acts as the leftwing cheerleaders for the Democrats and not much else. What are you hoping to accomplish there, or do you agree with their strategic (if it can be called that) line?

[jdhoch]

First off, I believe if you are a socialist you need to join a party. There are too few of us already.



Secondly, the CPUSA is the largest communist party in the US. When people go looking for communist or socialist answers, they will seek out “THE” Communist Party. We should work within a single party, reach a critical mass, and start “unofficial” publications and websites to influence the direction of the Party. IMHO.


Starting yet another party with even less people will not be effective.

[Q]

First off, I believe if you are a socialist you need to join a party. There are too few of us already.



Secondly, the CPUSA is the largest communist party in the US. When people go looking for communist or socialist answers, they will seek out “THE” Communist Party. We should work within a single party, reach a critical mass, and start “unofficial” publications and websites to influence the direction of the Party. IMHO.


Starting yet another party with even less people will not be effective.
Thank you for your answer and yes I agree. I hope you'll be able to find likeminded people in the organisation and start an organised opposition to the current leadership.

[thriller]

First off, I believe if you are a socialist you need to join a party. There are too few of us already.



Secondly, the CPUSA is the largest communist party in the US. When people go looking for communist or socialist answers, they will seek out “THE” Communist Party. We should work within a single party, reach a critical mass, and start “unofficial” publications and websites to influence the direction of the Party. IMHO.


Starting yet another party with even less people will not be effective.

Interesting reasoning for joining CPUSA. While I don't agree the CPUSA is the party to influence as the 'mass party' you make a valid point.

[jdhoch]

Interesting reasoning for joining CPUSA. While I don't agree the CPUSA is the party to influence as the 'mass party' you make a valid point.


I would be interested in knowing your issues with the CPUSA (in a comradely kind of way).


What are the best strategies (and tactics) to build a mass party?

I don't know. Here is what’s on my mind right now.


The first argument is that communism/socialism can’t work, mainly because of the failure of the USSR and the adoption of wide market reforms by China. So, we need to have articulate answers for that.


As a party, we need to have very specific things that we would do in power. Theory is good, but people want specifics.



I think the political/economic circumstances (globally) are becoming very favorable to socialists. We need to start being more public as “communists” (and/or socialists). We need to run petition drives to get on the ballot as a party and as individual candidates for local/state positions. Although a communist candidate may be unlikely to win an election (at first), the publicity could be extremely valuable and lead to tremendous growth of the party, I believe.


This doesn’t take away from being a ”revolutionary” party. But, any revolution is likely to fail without widespread support among the people, a support which will come first by being a “mainstream” (as far as participating in the normal political process) party.


I would love comments/feedback from anyone, please.

[Prometeo liberado]

CPUSA huh? Talk to me in 6 months. Thought they were just something waiting for the worms to claim.

[thriller]

I would be interested in knowing your issues with the CPUSA (in a comradely kind of way).


What are the best strategies (and tactics) to build a mass party?

I don't know. Here is what’s on my mind right now.


The first argument is that communism/socialism can’t work, mainly because of the failure of the USSR and the adoption of wide market reforms by China. So, we need to have articulate answers for that.


As a party, we need to have very specific things that we would do in power. Theory is good, but people want specifics.



I think the political/economic circumstances (globally) are becoming very favorable to socialists. We need to start being more public as “communists” (and/or socialists). We need to run petition drives to get on the ballot as a party and as individual candidates for local/state positions. Although a communist candidate may be unlikely to win an election (at first), the publicity could be extremely valuable and lead to tremendous growth of the party, I believe.


This doesn’t take away from being a ”revolutionary” party. But, any revolution is likely to fail without widespread support among the people, a support which will come first by being a “mainstream” (as far as participating in the normal political process) party.


I would love comments/feedback from anyone, please.

As Debs said 'How can we expect the workers to aim with bullets when they can't even aim with ballots?' I agree that A. We need to be open about being communist/socialist, and loud about it too and B. I think it is a good idea to get members of socialist parties on the ballot for exposure. A comrade I know often argues that with the invention of the internet, using ballots for exposure is useless. I counter by stating that more than half of the world does not have regular access to the internet. I wanted someone in my party to step in and run against Walker, but no one did (I'm too young). Specifics are good, but I think if you get too into 'specifics' with the capitalist system (ie: what the 'party' wants the minimum wage to be, civil rights, defense budget etc...) I think it can start to look like another social-democrat party that cares more about "middle class values" than proletarian liberation. As far as CPUSA goes, it's hard for me to get behind any party that declares Obama's election as a 'revolution in America'. Q stated it well. I do realize that a lot of people are attracted to the CPUSA because it has a long history and is most prominent on internet searches, but the same can be said about the Democrats and liberalism.

[Prometeo liberado]

Comrades,

I just joined the CPUSA recently. I was a communist as a teenager, went on to be a libertarian, Republican, Democrat, now back to Communist (at the age of 41).

I have a new website, and I welcome comments, articles & suggestions.

systemiccapital.com

Maybe this is a reason to rethink that decision:
"This unity will include an ever-growing Left-Center political coalition that includes the Democratic Party" CPUSA on the way to defeat the Right. Boggles the mind!